The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-02
BY FREDERICK KUN


LONDON, May 2.-For-
eigners in Adds, Ababa took
refuge behind the barbed wire
entanglements of the British
legation today, in imminent
danger of an attack by war;
riors enraged at the Italian
victory.
Emperor Halle Selassie
abandoned his capital with
family.
Looting and shooting broke out in
the city. Foreigners fed to the
fortified British legation compound
to the protection of it's barbed wire,
its five machine guns, and its little
company Of $50 Sikh infantrymen,
pick of the British Indian Army,
under British officers.
The legation has sufficient food
to withstand siege three months.
Commercial wireless communica-
ton with Adds Ababa was severed
without warning this morning soon
after the capitals station opened for
business.
Looting, Shooting Started
News of the imminent danger to
foreigners was transmitted in dis
patch from Sir Sidney Barton, Brit
ish minister, to the foreign Office,
over the legation wireless.
Tersely, he told of what appeared
to be the most tragic situation an
international community faced since
the Boxer Rebellion in China.
The Emperor had fled; looting
and shooting had started; most
foreigners were already behind the
walls and barbed wire of the Brit
ish legation
1t was understood that Barton ex-
pected the Italians in Adds Ababa
tomorrow.
Reported IS Miles Away
Each mile that they advanced
gave fresh fire to the fury of the
defeated warriors in tbe capital area
many thousands, it was known.
They will come, it was indicated,
as deliverers of the foreign popula-
ton from threat which the Ital-
ian conquest of Ethiopia has caused
one against which British author
tiles have warned for a year.
IT, Exchange Telegraph corre-
Spondent with the Italian armies
reported that the main Italian COL
umn had occupied Egersa, village
IS miles north of the capital. A
landslide was holding up the main
body, he reported, many miles
farther back.
Barton wired the foreign office
that he would stand fast until the
Italians came.
Situation Viewed Grave
1t was believed that most foreign
ENJOYS, including Barton, intended
to leave the capital as soon as the
Italians had consolidated their posi-
ton.
1t was denied that the Emperor
before he fed, asked Barton to act
as intermediary with the Italians
Instead Barton has taken COM
mand of the defense of foreigners
The government here took most
grave view of the situation in the
capital.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
remained at the foreign office until
he was assured that everything pos
sible had been done to protect Brit
ish nationals and any other for
eigners who sought the refuge of the
legation compound.
Await Word of Americans
There was no word specifically
of Cornelius Van H. Engert, Amer.
lean minister. and his staff of four
American Navy wireless experts
missionaries, business men and two
newspaper correspondents - Ben
Anes and James Bohrbaugh, Unit
ed Press staff correspondents
Other American press correspond
ents are of various nationalities.
Foreign Secretary Eden left for
bennington to keep an engagement
to speak tonight-a speech which
may be one of international mo-
ment.
1t was made known that British
Information was that Emperor
Halle Selassie did not abdicate be-
fore he fed. The British govern
ment will continue to regard him
as the head of the state. at least
50 long as he is on Ethiopian soil.
But the hope Of British and other
foreign authorities-now revealed al
last-of organized. cooperative re-