The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-05-29

Recent picture OF the defeated EN-
peror Halle Selassie.
ment of raw materials for italian in
dustries. But italian people are ap-
parently not so willing to become col
onlsts in an unpleasant and uncOm-
Portable land. In Erltrea, which has
been Italian now for so years, there
are only about 100 colonlsts.
The entire Ogaden area. tUith the PROF.
inces Of Boran and Bale, so completely
conquered by The forces Of General Crdzi-
ami, are OF littie or no value, being princi-
paiiy desert. He has not yet moUed into
the rich agricultural regions Of the Arussi
plateau. although that is scheduled to be
has Hert step.
Cotton and other forms Of agricul-
ture are considered possible In Ogaden,
but only II extensive and expensive ir-
rigation Is provided. That Is true of
most Of the regions which Italy has
conquered in Ethlopia-they must, If
they are to be OF much value, be de-
veloped by tremendous OUTLAWS of cap
ltal, and fresh capital is a commodity
In which Italy Is lacking to a disturb
ing degree, especially since her trade
has been plnched by the sanctions
placed upon her by members Of the
League Of Nations.
There has been some romantic Cos
sip of vast oil deposits in Ethiopia, es-
peclally In the Ogaden district. but
these have been largely denied by the
facts. What mineral resources are
present will he found for the larger
part in the Danakll country to the
northeast. but even these are uncer-
tain. There Is some salt, which Italy
mined during the war-at a cost all
out Of proportion to Its value In peace
times.
Italy Must Aid colonists.
The important part OF Ethiopia is
the central plateau. whose population
is the traditional enemy of the tribes
on the outskirts below. Here 1t Is that
Mussolini plans to put most of his
colonists. The country Is agricultural
ly rich and the climate, while 1t Is not
pleasant to white people by any means,
is at least livable. While the plateau
may be said to be conquered, 1t Is not
yet entirely occupied by Italian armies,
the GOTHAM and Shoa being still unoc-
cupied.
If the colonization of the plateau Is
to be successful, the colonists must be
given a great deal of aid by the moth.
err country. The fact that the colo
nists will start from scratch will he a
boon to italian industry, for the de
mand for heavy goods for the building
Of a new nation should give millions
more work. II Is believed that the
colOnists win be able to raise cereals
and live stock, finding a market for
them In Italy and selling them for
prices which will he higher than the
world market for the same goods.
One Of the principal problems facing
the neiV Ethiopian emperor and his vice.
roy, General BadogliO. is Uhaf to do rgiih
the Hatires. Ia is hardly possible that they
can be driven from the land; they Ger.
tainIy t0iH not be aIiOtced 10 compete rifh
the coionisfs on equal terms. ior they riH
be able to tCoFk for far smaller coEssasa.
fiOn. the Italians being unable % compete
ICith their i0p standard Of liriag. The
situation I0iH Be much the sams as that
Uhich the japanese peasants found in a.
tempting 10 coioaise NanchHria.
With the exception Of some little
platinum and gold. the mineral re-
sources Of Ethiopia are largely a fable
The wealth. n any. which II viii add
10 Italy will have 20 be worked out OF
the land IN hard Italian swaziland
with the capitalization o. hundreds Of
millions OF dollars. italy hasn't got
the hundreds OF millions
As a matter Of fact. the war of con
quest up 10 the capture OF Adds Ababa
and the flight Of Emperor Halle Selas
sic had cost the Italians approximately
$900,O00.OOO. or more than 100 times
what the United States paid Russia Goa
Alaska. The cost Of paeifying the coun.
try win bring the war bill over the bin
lion dollar mark.
But she has now fulfilled what Mus
sOllni says has been the dream 81
Fascism for rs years. Italy has become
an empire. II sounds big. Add n
earns II Duce invaluable plaudlts from
his people.
cwssssrn Nswspapss uniea.