THE ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 13

THE ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE

ARMED TROOPS NEAR THE FRONTIER ITALY CONTINUES-TO PREPARE (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAM—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 1, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The '"Star" says the Cabinet is alarmed at the possibility of an offensive by Abyssinia when the rainy season is ended. Sir John Simon has instructed Sir Eric Drummond (British Ambassador in Rome) to see Signor Mussolini without delay, to discuss this possibility. Sir Eric has twice attempted to visit Signor Mussolini, but so far has succeeded only in reaching Signor Suvitch ("Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs).

The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says a further hitch has occurred in the demarcation of a neutral zone. Consequently, Italy is not interrupting her preparations, especially as 90,000 armed Ab3 rssinians are near the frontier. Others are being rushed there. Abyssinia has acquired modern arms and aeroplanes. INDEMNITY PAID LONDON, February 23. A Djibouti (French Somaliland) message says that Abyssinia has paid France a £IO,OOO indemnity for the massacre in January. The family of Albert Bernard will receive £6250. I.A message on January 23 said that marauding tribesmen from the Abyssinian border provinces, coining into French territory, massacred a French

administrative officer 'Albert Bernard), 13 troop;; and 83 Somalis.]