Evening star., 1936-05-17
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

TROM the smoldering ruins of
- Ethiopia, a new world power
has arisen-an Italian empire
u Its smashing victory over the
Ethiopian warriors, the complete con-
tempt for the League of Nations coali-
ton, the manner with which the
italian population. regardless of age
and sex. withstood the penalties of
economic sanctions, have all shown
that Italy, henceforth, is going to play
first fiddle in the concert of powers at
the expense of nations better equipped,
economically and financially, than her
self
Whatever may be said about the
italian superiority in modern war
equipment, there is no doubt that Mar
ehal Badoglio's troops achieved a signal
victory. They fought seasoned war
riors occupying almost impregnable
strategic positions in climate which
few Europeans can resist. There is not
a single example in the history of
colonial wars where European power
has been able to destroy the inde-
pendence of a nation in such a short
time. 1t took the British three years
to conquer the Beers. In 1925, the
French fought for almost year be-
fore Marshal Petain managed to de-
feat handful of tribesmen, the Riff
fans. in North Africa.
And now, after Ethiopia has become
O. Roman colony. the diplomats of the
world ask themselves, What will Mus
solini do next?" Will he become like
the Kaiser, arrogant and overbearing,
rattling his sword at every oppor-
tunity, or will he take his place among
world powers and use Italy's military
might as a stabilizing element in
strife-ridden Europe?
Future Course of ii Duce.
Will he confine his ambitions to the
building of an African empire, or will
he plunge headlong into the turbulent
waters of Europe?
What does the conquest of Ethiopia
mean to Italy? Diplomats who recently
have returned from Rome admit that
II Duce considers that country as
merely the first stone in the founda-
ton OF. new Roman empire.
1t will take long time before the
100000 900 spent on the military
operations in East Africa will bring
returns.
Following the example of the Roman
Emperors of 1000 years ago, Mussolini
has decided to settle the 100000 young
Fascists, who form the bulk of Ba-
doglio's army, in the conquered terri
tory. Like their ancestors, they will
be farmers in peacetime and the SEN
tries of the empire in times of emer-
gency.
But what Ethiopia can give Italy
In the immediate future is an army
of 200, 900 black warriors.
The former empire of the Lion of
Judah is conglomeration of races
under the rule Of eight princelings,
called rases. The various tribes owe
allegiance to the rases, who, in turn,
agreed to obey the Emperor at Adds
Ababa. Selassie has gone into exile;
three or four faithful supporters have
followed him-the rest have bowed to
Mussolini, who has covered them with
honors and given them more silver
than they have ever seen before.
Bad0glio to Be Recalled.
II Duce has appointed Badoglio as
viceroy of Ethiopia. But Badoglio
will soon be recalled to Rome where
his military genius will be needed
henceforth. 1t is GRAHAM, who has
spent most of his life in Africa, who
will be entrusted with the organization
Of the black army.
The rases, faithful subjects of the
King Of Italy, will be given nominal
autonomy under the rigid control of
the Italian agents Of the colonial Of
fee. Their main task will be to help
train their subjects into efficient SOL
diers for Italy's use in Europe when-
ever necessary. The French have done
it with the Senegalese and Moroccans;
the British have done it with the In
dians. Mussolini believes that the
Ethiopians. properly handed, will be