Evening star., 1935-07-21

bomb Wh1c1 mas Deen threatening the
world with explosion for the past four
years.
The last World War began by
struggle between a great European
power, the Austro- Hungarian Empire
and small, backward, weak Serbia.
In July. 1914, nobody in Vienna
doubted that big Austria would crush
little Serbia in no time.
In this Summer of 1885, nobody in
Rome doubts that the expedition
against Ethiopia will be anything more
than q military march to train the
Fascist legions for bigger and better
fights.
Yet, observers in Europe and in this
country regard this punitive expedi-
ton" with much more apprehension
than the Austrian military march"
was viewed in 1914. A weakened con-
stitution is less apt to resist disease
than a healthy body. And there is no
| doubt that the world in general and
Europe in particular is in a weaker
condition than ever before In modern
times.
MussOlini Frank in Stand.
| Mussolini is realistic diplomat.
He does not pretend the conquest OF
Abyssinia has any moral motive.
| Again and again he told foreign diplo-
mats that Italy has no choice. She
has either Ito expand or explode. "
And of the two evils he has chosen ex-
| panSion.
| Abyssinia with its gold and platinum
mines, oil resources, potentialities of
growing cotton and the healthy
climate Of the plateau offers the last
possibility of colonial expansion for an
overcrowded white nation. 1t Is the
only remaining African nation which
has been able to maintain its inde-
pendence, not SO much because of the
warlike qualities of its inhabitants. but
because of the jealouSies OF the main
colonial powers-Great Britain and
France.
Since neither Of them could have
that rich portion Of Africa they did
not want any other nation to con-
quer it.
1neTH nave Ucch SCNCLdl ChOl - OAi
the part of the British, the French
and the Italians to come to an ar
rsngement to divide Ethiopia in three
zones of Influence" These, however
were frustrated by the lack of sim
cerity of those very nations which
wanted the partition Of Abyssinia
They could not agree on the spoils.
Strikes Barsain with France.
When last January Mussolini real
lied that France ceased to be the
dominating power in Europe and that
her main concern was to prevent A
German expansion the Italian dicta-
tor decided that AbySsinia would be
his
The Laval -Mussolini agreement of
January, 1895. gave Italy free hand
in Emperor Halle Selassie's empire
The French were glad to pay that
price for a definite undertaking from
II Duce that he would look after Ger
many and prevent her expansionist
plans in Central and Eastern Europe
The agreement was reached behind
Great Britain's back. When Downing
Street found out what had happened
in Rome it was too late. MusSolini
had irreyocably decided to expand
and had Frances blessings, plus 8
portion of the French Somaliland and
a share in the control of the Djibouti-
Adds Ababa railway.
To Great Britain's objections Mus
solini answered: You are the last
nation in the world to protest against
our expansion In Africa. Remember
your Boer War in South Africa when
with weaker pretext than our own
you diSpossessed thriving white race
of their lands and rights"
War Is Inevitable.
And, in order to avoid any future
arguments and discussions. Mussolin
served notice on the world that HI
would occupy Abyssinia by force a:
soon as the climatic conditions per
mitted military operations.
A war in Abyssinia Is inevitable anc
will start within the next few weeks
But can Mussolini conquer thai
country? And, what is more impor.
tant, can he conquer it quickly
enough?
Experts are Unanimous in theil
opinion that If the operations of tn,
army are protracted and no decisive
battle puts an end to the AbySsiniar
resistance, there is a grave danger no
only for the Mussolini regime but fol
the peace of Europe, too.
Britain, with her enormous re-
sources. could afford three years fol
the conquest of Orange and Transvaal
Italy can't. It's either a quick victory
or complete defeat.
The Italians admit privately thai
the operations against Abyssinian'
will be difficult.
There are only three ways of enter.
ing that country; through Eritrea
through the italian Somaliland anc
through Djibouti
Eritrea Offensive Likely.
The logical move is the one through
Eritrea. For seven months the Italiar
engineers have been building road!
and preparing for the great offensive
1t is in that italian colony that /
Duce's army is being concentrated
The Italian honor demands that tht
offensive should start from Eritrea
because 40 years ago an army COM
manded by Gen. Barattieri was ami
hilated by the Abyssinians in the bat
tie Of Adowa.
But, as in those days, the difhcul'
ties encountered by Barattieri have
not been removed; the mountains arr
no less lofty, and the passages art
still few and narrow.
The chain of mountains which formt
a natural fortress around AbySsinis
looks, from distance, like a feuda
castle. High peaks like turrets, natura
parapets, and here and there narrow
gorges which do not permit the de-
ployment of any large force. From
behind this almost impregnablt
fortress Abyssinian soldiery armed
with rapid-fire rifles, hand grenade'
and machine guns may hold thu
Italian Army back for an indefinite
f;,,.a dae,.;fn tha air st1poriority n