SCRAPS OF PAPER

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 5

SCRAPS OF PAPER

HISTORY OF ITALO-ABYSSiNIAN RELATIONS [Written by “ Thane,” for tlxe f Evening Star.’] Those who place their hopes of peace between nations in the arrangement of treaties, unsupported by an intelligent and thoroughly national appreciation of the blind folly of war—to say the very least of it—have no real acquaintance with the facts of history. The solemn pledges of permanent friendship between nations have seldom stood up to the test imposed upon them by ambition and acquisitiveness. They have too often proved of less value than the scraps of paper upon which they were recorded. In this respect Italy and Abyssinia, during the 65 years that their interests have adjoined in Africa, have proved no exceptions to what, tragically, has almost become a rule. Their treaties have been scraps of paper.

Italy first came on to the scene of Abyssinian affairs in 1870, when an Italian company bought Assab, a port near the southern entrance to the Red Sea, from the local Sultan. More land was acquired in 1879, 1880, and in 1882 the Italian Government purchased the rights of the company and despatched Count IPietro Antonelli to Shoa to improve the prospects of the new colony by treaties, with Emperor Menelek and the Sultan John of Aussa. Three years later the Italians occupied Beilul, a port to the north of Assab Bay, and took over Massawa from Egypt. The proceedings'caused the two rulers of Abyssinia considerable uneasiness, particularly as they had only a year previously signed a treaty with Britain and Egypt which gave to them the right of free transit of goods through this port; and_ in January, 1887, the Abyssinians, in consequence of a refusal by General Gene to withdraw his troops, attacked a detachment of Italians at Dogaei, killing over 400. This was the first hostile outbreak between Italy and Abyssinia. . Reinforcements were, of course, sent over from Italy, and it is interesting, in view of present conditions, to note that Britain upon this occasion, despatched a mission to mediate for peace. This, however, proved abortive, and in April, .1888, the Italian forces, numbering 20,000 men, came into touch with the Abyssinian army; but negotiations took the place of hostilities, and the Italians retired, leaving 5,000 men in Eritrea, as their colony was by then known.

The Abyssinians, during ibis time of trouble with Italy were also engaged in intermittent warfare with the deverislies. The battle that at last concluded these hostilities in 1889, the Abyssinian victory at Gallabar, was attended by the death of the Sultan John, an event that probably changed the whole course of history as it concerned Italo-Abyssinian . relations, for immediately upon hearing the news Menelek proclaimed himself Negus, or King of Kings of. Ethiopia.. He received the submission of Gojam, Gondar, and several other provinces, and, ultimately, of Mangasha. the reputed son and heir of Sultan John.

It so happened that Coynt Antonelli was with Menelek when he claimed the throne, and the Italian hastened to conclude the famous Ucialli Treaty (May 2, 1889), in consequence .of which, Italy soon afterwards occupied Asmara, and something like quietness settled over Abyssinia for three years. But the Italians seemed to grow too friendly with Mangasha for Menelek’s peace of mind, and in 1893 he wrote denouncing the terms of the Ucialli Treaty. He contended that it differed in the Italian and Amhario versions. According to' the former, the Negus was bound to make use of Italy as a channel for communicating with other whereas’ the Amhario version left it optional. Coincident with this dispute, trouble started between the deyerishes and the Italians. The deverishes were threatening Eritrea when Colonel . Baratieri found that Mangasha waa intriguing with them, that he had actually crossed the frontier with a large army. The colonel met and defeated Mangasha, hut later pushed his unsupported forces too far south, and met Menelek advancing in national support of Mangasha. The Italians were driven back; but in 1896 a strongly reinforced Italian army met Menelek near Ardua. The rough nature of the country was all in favour of the Abyssinians, and they attacked with disastrous results for the Italians. It is this battle near Ardua that II Duce referred to recently when he declared that the memormy of Ardowa must be wiped out. Shortly after the battle a peace was again arranged between Italy and Abyssinia. . The Ucialli Treaty was annulled, and Abyssinia was declared completely independent. Since Abyssinia, under the regency of Has Tafari (the present Emperor), was admitted to the league of Nations its ruler has visited Italy, and the Italians have reciprocated the friendly courtesy by sending a mission to Addis Ababa. This last event took place as recently as 1927, and the Italian representative was received with lavish display and public rejoicing. On this occasion these two nations took the opportunity afforded by the visit to lay the foundations for an Italo-Abyssinian treaty of “ perpetual friendship,” providing for arbitration in all disputes. A further agreement was reached in September, 1928, for the cession to Abyssinia of a free zone at the foot of Assab, in Eritrea, and the construction of a road from Abbas Ababa to Assab. The events of these last few months reduce this last solemn pledge of enduring friendship to one more scrap of paper.