Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-22
BY SIGNOR ALESSANDRO LES
SOMA.

Undersecretary of State for Colonies and
Mussolini's right-hand man in the vast
preparations going on in East Africa.
written for the Associated Press)
ROME-The colonial undertak-
ing which was to lead to the
events of today began in January,
1885. when the Italian government,
following the explicit invitation by
Lord Grenville decided to occupy
and garrison some points along the
Red Sea coast, including Massauahi
and Nassau.
Since our occupation was extended
by necessity to the plateau, We were
forced to choose between two systems
in our relations with the Ethiopian
empire-either war or pacific economic
penetration.
Economic Initiatives Hindered.
We chose the second and remained
faithful to it despite many bitter and
sanguinary experiences that should
have convinced us Of the uselessness
of our attempt. Our economic initia-
tives we're hindered in every way.
Arms We donated were turned against
US. Our possessions were menaced
while we were elsewhere engaged.
Notwithstanding this open or yelled
hostility, we remained faithful for
decades to the policy of peace, We
always pardoned.
We even reached the point of giving
Ethiopia the greatest proof Of our
friendship by supporting her adnis-
70 tho IF Nofinyoc fya 1909
even against British opposition.
At various times we negotiated
treaties of friendship and peaceful
collaboration with her. The last one
in 1928 is the most liberal and ia
vorable that Ethiopia has with any
European state.
And how did Ethiopia respond to
this attitude? BY blocking every
economic effort for our mutual ad-
vantage. BY arming intensively with
manifeStly aggressive intentions in
violation Of the treaty signed here in
1880 with England, France and Italy
on the importation of arms and NUM-
tons.
More recently her provocations and
menaces were increasing with accel-
Grated rhythm. Aggression at the
consulate at Gondar and attacks at
walwal and Afdub are the best known
facts. Nevertheless they nave been
preceded and followed by long series.
No fewer than Is offensive acts
against our diplomatic consular repre-
sentatives have been documented and
certified Fifteen offenses against the
lives and properties of Italian citizens
and subjects have been committed.
There have been 81 raids, aggressions
and frontier incidents.
Who is responsible for all these and
other Ethiopian acts of anarchy and
barbarism?
Government Held PowerlesS.
Her friends have often attempted
o defense by explaining that the gov
eminent is poWerleSS to prevent them.
1t is precisely that which constitutes
her principal condemnation.
Col. Charles Gordon in a letter of
January IT, 1880, which is in our
hands, asks this question:
us there anything like an estab-
1ished government in Ethiopia" I say
from bitter experience: No."
After SIS years it would be inpossi-
BILE to express an opinion different
from tnas OF the hero of Khartoum
The Ethiopian empire is not a
homogeneous and united state, but
Mosaic peoples divided by tradition.
race and religion.
The Ethiopian nucleus keeps in
state of subjugation countless Gala,
Somali and Sidama and others con-
uuered in the last 40 years. These
constitute a vast colony, pitilessly
MIXED dry through slavery and land
servitude.
Slavery is maintained as a social
and economic system with not only
the connivance but also the participa-
ton of the ruling classes, despite all
assurances and guarantees given to
the contrary.