Imperial Valley press., 1937-02-14

eIdS III EtliODId ldS DetlI US4 4uIItC4N
proved by investigators who have
been making mining surveys in
Italy's new East African possessions
during the past few months.
That fact should go a long way
toward clarifying Italy's economic
future and eventually lessen Italy's
dependence on other nations for
certain prime materials. It should
bring to an end the heated argu-
mentS that have been going on ever
since Ethiopia became a household
word regarding the existence OF
natural resources.
The optimistic reports have been
appearing lately with greater fire.
ouency in the italian press and all
the pre- campaign doubts as to
Ethiopia's real worth have been dis
PEELED in the minds of the italian
people.
The results Of the independent
mining surveys are hailed here as
a great triumph over international
authorities who repeatedly express
ed skepticism and predicted that
Ethiopia would turn out to be a
white elephant" for Italy.
Called Garden of Eden"
Iron. coal. gold. platinum, oil, gas
tungsten and tin as well as salts
and sulphur. exist in this posses
sion seven times larger than the
homeland, the surveys revealed. As
Ethiopia is ideally suited for agri-
culture because Of the rich soil and
plentiful rainfall, and rich in water
power due tn the profusion Of rivers
and waterfalls the location of min
erals makes Ethiopia a sort of
Garden Of Eden for italy.
The only thing remaining to bear
out these predictions. OF course, IS
the actual working Of the soil and
the actual extraction of minerals,
which will be the final proof.
Experts have divided their reports
into two sections. IN the first part
they discuss minerals which have
been extracted by natives for many
years. Although small quantities
have been obtained. authorities
point out that primitive methods
have limited the output and that
as soon as modern equipment is
installed, production will be speed
ed up.
The other part of the report deals
with undiscovered but scientifically
proved" existence Of natural re-
sources. This has been done through
the study Of typography, the eX-
animation of rocks. soil and water
and the observation Of natural
phenomena, such as escaping gases.
Oil in Danakil Region
One Of the most optimistic re-
ports is that compiled by Luigi
Dullio. engineer, explorer and dip
lomat. After years of exploration
which date back TO Emperor Meme
lik's time, ne is positive that great |
of gas and oil exist in |
the Danakil region.
He declares that he has absolute |
proof" that they exist. He adds
that the presence Of oil is proved |
by gas fumes emanating from the
land
Il explored the Danakil thor
oughly" he said "and in zone
several miles long and about 800
yards wide, found number Of
arge holes in the ground full OF
gray, black, red and other colored
mud. In some Of them, together
With mud and gas. there were small
quantities of oil. The. pressure OF
,as in some localities is so strong
hat it can be heard long distances
IS it escapes"
Iron, another expert declared.
lbounds in sufficiently large guam
ities in the region OF Saio. II also
has been located in the mountains
3f Dallati, Gulisso, Aira and in large
oeds at Bal Fur That it exists is
oorne out by the fact that natives
n these regions for years have