THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 26, 1940.
CHINA MAIL Portrait Of A Butcher
WINDSOR HOUSE
.
MR. CHURCHILL
Who killed Marshal Balbo? We Graziani maintained a record of Italian troops to the Brenner' to the civil development of the Em- shall not shed any tears at the thirty executiong a day, or eleven warn Adolf Hitler that he must pire.". funeral, despite the "chivalrous" thousand a year. "For Italy," he be more careful how he handled We need not wonder qualities attributed to him by said, "unbroken order in her im-such puppets of the Duce as the that Mr. Churchill is hat-marshal played his part in the sity."
some of his English friends. The perial domains is a moral neces-wretched Dr. Dollfuss. gentlemanly murder of many
.some miles
The claim was exaggerated, for outside the main centres of Addis ed and feared in Ger-Italians who believed as long ago It was not simple killing. He
Ababa and Harar, Abyssinia was still fighting. Graziani determin- many: He is the embodi-as 1022 that Mussolini was a bad devices of his own adapted to -A higher honour still awaited should proceed without hindrance. ed that his "civil development". menace to Italy and the world. the needs of the country. Arabs him. Italy was conquering a new ment of the modern Bri-
who attempted to escape over the empire in Abyssinia. tish spirit of resistance, none the less. For one man pro- were taken up in aeroplanes and had devised the plan of campaign, sacred monastery
But the inquiry is Interesting, borders into more friendly lands together with Marshal de Bono, Debra Libanos, Ethiopia's most Graziani, A few guns were hidden at and that spirit sings ins and one people suffers from hurled on to the rocks below.
death. The man is Marshal
He led one of the invading forces north of Addis. They were dis- every sentence of those Rodolfo Graziani, Balbo's prede In the bleak, parching desert; He was a clever soldier,
himself and did his work well covered. Three hundred and fifty cessor and now successor as Gov-wells were sealed up with cement
monks were hauled out and lined broadcasts, primarily toernor of Libya. The people are by his order. In the province of
the Arabs of that tortured land. Cyrenaica alone the native popu-ceeded. When the country was When De Bono failed he suc
up against the wall, the Empire, for which the
Some lation was said to have been re-half conquered he stood, at the Christians, were ordered to fire. Eritreans, themselves whole world listens. The of Marshal Balbo.
They preferred the easier yokefduced by a half.
Ho at least
right hand of the new Viceroy, They refused. Graziani was Im- Empire is temporarily be-realised that repression was no handiwork and saw that it was was a man of imagination who The Governor surveyed his
Marshal Badoglio. He watched patient. He sent in Somali troops with bayonets to finish off the come his House of Com-substitute for a policy.
good. "They all know you," said]
work and burn the monastery to mons. Never did a leader
the ground. They had a name for Graziani. taken by the Governor on a visit one journalist to him as he was He was called "the scourge give out and receive back Libya,"
of to the villages. "Yes," replied Graziani, “and they won't forget more truly the deepest
Ime in a hurry." sentiments of his follow-
Thus Libya was subdued. He Balbo and Graziani" were never returned to Rome with the laurel ers. He expresses the na-good friends. The one was a of a conqueror on his brow, and the killings that went on in Addis were paid back in full measure. tional
Fascist, the other a soldier. One the name of "the scourge" square- resolution even started his
Ababa. He scorned the com- career close in the ly implanted in the brain of the Paratively mild methods employ-fans while he mightily-rein- had to push his way by hard Italians that his rule had been
counsels of the Duce. The other Arab. Boastfully he told the ed; this was a job after his own days. Women and children were
heart. forces it. In the present-mutual bate has only just ended forgiven is more dangerous than
work and Fascist "merit." The based on one motto: day temper of the British with Balbo's mysterious death. a thousand foes." people there is no sacrifice In 1922 Balbo participated with they will not make when on
Mussolini in the famous "march"!
1
✡
彝
By MICHAEL FOOT
Abyssinia took its revenge when dozen hand grenades were hurled at Marshal Graziani and bis stuff as they drove to a cere- mony in Addis Ababa. Nobody was killed, but Graziani's wounds
In Addis alone 6,000 Abyssin- were murdered in three
and the
bludgeoned to death. Men were "An enemy Badoglio went back to Rome, dragged
roped to lorries by their feet and through the streets. great question arose, Hundreds "who would succeed him?" Some their houses..
were burnt alive in pointed to Graziani; he after all, had played a notable part in the Rome. The.
The records of this massacre news of that
victory. Others suggested Balho. reside at Mr. Churchill asks for it; where Marshal Graziani had just
victory flashed across
to Libya, trigues,
Rome was buzzing with in-He was
the the prince of Italian office. They were
British Foreign Graziani was clever Governors, the best known Italian Consuls on
reported by and his declaration that secured another victory in his re- With great publicity he gave up spent three years grappling within the House of Commons, Cries
enough not to engage in them. after Mussolini.
the spot. Hints of And had he not them even raised a few questions conquest of the colony, "faith is given us as a said, "acre by acre,"
as he soldiering for the farin. He had the solemn memories of wrong of "Order".
served in Eritrea and Libya be4 which Graziani had left him in benches successfully enabled the
from help and comfort when
Ministerial fore the Great War and in the Libya? Moreover Graziani was a Front Bench to avoid a 'reply. standing in awe before scene of his latest battle. He saw as a killer in Libya after the war Graziani. It was a revelation of Libya, the name of Graziani is
Graziani was just surveying the his prowess. That and his repute
through
war itself had been decorated for soldier. Balbo was a Fascist.
Strangely the 'choice the
fell on unfurling scroll of a glittering object buried amid the would stand him in good stead. Mussolini's mind. It was also a branded indelibly. A shiver will However, in: Abyssinia, as in destiny," makes every and picked it up. It was a golden vain,
stooped down So he watched and waited; not in sad day for Abyssinia. coin which on one side bore the hearer conscious that sign of a great Roman Emperor.
On the other
In 1934 the flashy, picturesque some at least of that faith Rome.
was the goddess Balbo, potential rival to Mussolini In February, 1937, the
himself, the second man in all Viceroy announced that "he was of Marshal Graziani provides one And perhaps the good fortune Graziani, with a fine sense of to Libya to keep him out of the hands the clear-cut totalitarian Marshal Balbo. An enemy for-
Italy, was packed off as Governor proud to place Mr. Churchill's own stead-history and flunkeyism, despatch-limelight. Meanwhile the crafty victory that will allow us to de- given is more dangerous, than a in the Duce's clue to the strange death of ed the trophy to his new master Graziani marched at, the head of vote ourselves without anxiety to thousand foes.” fast example and robustn Rome. It. was a shrewd resolution. He has made Marshal well ever since. From manoeuvre which has served the
is derived straight from
►
As the
news came
rock debris. He
Britain vastly stronger authority to continue his work in that day forward he was given materially; in banishing,
Libya with a merciless hand.
as he has done, dismay
זית
*
*
run through the Arabs as they learn that the butcher has return- ed to the land he subdued.
new
These Are Cause For Pride
before "the worst that the The task suited Graziani's TWO things stand out from the In bombing accuracy and in air tyrants of might and en-against native rebellion he left a give the Empire
genius, and in eight years of war
That the Navy and Royal Air course of the war so far that combat it has established absolute Force can guarantee.
encouragement supremacy.
+
The Army has had unfortunate Spirit Of Attack
mity can do," he has as-memory which still burns in the and pride.
minds of Arabs along the whole sured her moral superi-of that coastline.
One is the qualitative superior-experiences, and has suffered from ity of all the British fighting the mistakes of the French High I turn to consider the ority over her enemies.
many In the French Revolution, it is forces. The other is the consis-Command.
manifestations of the Tensive Hitler has moulded the were executed daily during the period during which, strategic
said, an average of three people tent display of offensivo spirit in
spirit in our fighting forces. But that the morale and the The Navy, with the assistance German nation into a hundred a year.
eror, making a total of twelve ally, the Empire stands on the tactical skill of the Army is of the of the Royal Air Force, wages un-
defensive.
highest order is proved. by the ceasing war against the enemy's monster of his own image.
conduct of the withdrawal from submarines and surface ships on Let us see how this qualitative Belgium and the final retreat to the open seas and in their dc- superiority is manifesting itself
Dunkirk..
•ffended bases.
Only very efficient staff work) It has taken prompt and dar-
Churchill is as effectually
Over
months
on every occasion. "That
embarkation with so little loss of was
Its resources and its ability to
It has dealt. faithfully with the
Enemy theories about the vulner
By Major General Sir Charles Gwynn
A tímid defensive policy lead- ing to excessive concentration of naval units in home waters in consequence of the invasion threat would have immobilised the Navy and led to loss of opportunities.
The R.A.F. in spite of numerical Inferiority; has pursued a similar course. It attacks the enemy's offensive preparations at the circum-fountain head. Its bombing air-
in
stamping his own vision. for the added injury she first of alf.
is supposed to have done The Navy has shown conspicu could have held the B.E.F. to-ing action to prevent the French of duty in a valiant cause them by taking action to ous daring and devotion to duty gether and have effected its re- Navy falling into enemy hands. upon Britain's resolute prevent the French Fleet expected of it. opposition. Britain stands from being turned against alone in the fight, but her by the mortal enemy deal with the unforeseen affords radiant.
of both peoples. But Mr.new reason for satisfaction, Churchill adjures the Bri- She stands alone, at tish people to eschew re- U-boat menace. It has disproved least, for the shock of the proaches against the ability of shipping to air attack. expected onslaught, but French. He points the the hopes and prayers of nobler path and the surer system has
Its organisation of the convoy personnel under the all civilised people in the way to restoration.
been magnificently stances.
craft, have carried the war into, The efficient.
enemy territ ry on every front, world are hers. Others battle will be desperate: The secrets of
The readiness of the men
to attacking air and naval bases, will assuredly, in
the magnetic counter attack, even when ex-munition factories and land and due Mr. Churchill has always mine and its antidote were dis hausted by terrifically long water communications. course, rise, with her insisted there is no escap-legitimate submarine, and mine grained was the offensive spirit.
covered in a few days. In both marches, shows how deeply
Fighter aircraft have never he- powerless for the moment ing the bitterness and en-warture it has shown itself more
sitated to engage numerically to offer more than token durance it will demand of than equal to the enemy.
It will be noted that the attack superior forces either of enemy made by the British Divisions at bombing aircraft or fighter escorts. support and not the the British people. They The withdrawals in Norway Arras was the only real attempt. It has been the last to rise will be the re-must wage it alone, yet practised, were amazing feats.
enemy who, and France, operations never
made by the retreating army of even in superior numbers, has born France who Mr. for all civilised peoples,
the Allies to cuts its way through sought safety in evading combat. the enveloping German forces. Churchill proclaims, as an bearing with stoicism The handling of the difficult
The R.A.F., on the other hand,. article of his faith, "will every trial and loss and showed the same capacity to deal have been enterprising and con-attacks effective.
position with the French Navy on the borders of Abyssinia troops aircraft fire from making their On the Egyptian frontier and have not been perturbed by anti- once again rejoice in her prolonged strain in action with a situation without pre stantly taking the initiative. greatness and glory, and or in vigil. But the cause cedent.
The Army has not had the same. stand forward as a cham-at stake overrides every In The Air, On The Land setting foot on the shores of Bri- services to
Should the Germans succeed in opportunity as the other fighting pion of freedom. and the other consideration, and
show its offensive tain, we may feel confident that spirit. The quality of the R.A.F., both the defence will lack neither rights of man." Some Britain so expresses and in personnel and material has be- spood nor violence. Frenchmen to-day, "cry- typifies it, that in Britain
come world famous, ing out in agony and de- herself it will be lost or lirium," denounce Britain won.
"
But thero. is amplo evidence from Norway and Belgium and And in Britain the Army should North France that. It has shown readiness to take never be required to meet over-Army is inspired with high cour- the British (risks, and capacity to come powering numbers or weight offage, Imagination and aggressive-
through them safely,
armament.
ness.