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1
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1936.
LOOTING BANDS HELD AT BAY BRITISH DOCTOR
Thrilling Fights And
Rescues
"THREE MUSKETEERS"
HOLD OUT.
Twenty Looters Killed
STOLEN VALUABLES OFFERED
FOR SALE TO OWNERS!
Addis Ababa, May 4. Reuter's special correspondent states that the Italians are Last night they were expected to enter the city early to-day. reported to have reached Akaki River, ten mies distant.
of
The wholesale looting has now ceased, but hands of despera- ... does have entered the city and are endangering the lives eltizens and foreigners.
All British nationals are safely housed in the Legation and who have barricaded elsewhere, and except for a few Araba themselves in their own homes, it is belleved that two thousand refugees belonging to twenty three nationalities are sheltering in the British Legation,
Occupants of the Turkish Lega. tion after defending themselves against attack by desperadoes arm- ed with rifles and machine guns decided to evacuate the Legation f which they were successfully as- sisted by a rescue party from the British Legation. "..
"
The Marshal's party is "being supplied with foodstuffs by para- chute-freight dropped by planes. -Reuter.
PLANES ALSO TO LAND
Dessie, May 3. Motorised columns have made The condition of Dr. Melly is re- considerable progress in their ported to be better,
It is estimated that ten Euro- beans, mostly Greeks and Armen-
lans, were killed at Addis Ababa.
The British ambulance collected
over three hundred wounded yesterday."
march on Addis Ababa, while the troops moving on foot have already reached the outskirts of the city,
where they are awaiting the arrival
of tanks, under whose protection
Ethiopian the troops will enter the city. Simultaneously Italian planes wül land on the Addis Ababa airport. Traniocean News Service,
C
TYPICAL INCIDENTS
Three incidents are typical the disorders in the city. A band of looters drove a taxicab piled with valuables to the British L- gation and offered the goods for safe to the original owners. In con- sequence the entire load was con
scated.
A young Belgian brought to the Legation by rescuers said that his house was besieged by a large gang or looters armed with machine guns. The Belgian and his two companions fought until their am- "munition was exhausted. shooting twenty looters dead,, and eventual- iv escaped aboard a rescue lorry.
A desperate siege was proceeding
at the Bank of Ethiopia where bank servants held out gafäntly and managed to reach the Legation under escort.
Natives are st looting am- ⚫munition and firing rifles in the
air.
Many tresh fires have broken and heavy rain is falling. intensifying the misery of the refugees.
Thuler
GREEK CASUALTIES
Djibouti, May ✔
SIKH TROOPS ASSIST
Washington, May 3.
Marshal Badoglio is advancing with the main body and will make a triumphal entry into the Ethio- pian capital.
ON OUTSKIRTS OF CITY
Vanguard Awaits Main Body
(Hong Kong Daily Press' Special
Djibouti, May 14 The latest news received here
about the advance of the Italian
troops on Addis Ababa where they are anxiously awaited to protect
the European population against last few months have been more the "infuriated rioters, who in the
agitators against "intruding for- and more inflamed by irresponsible eleners," is that the Italian ad- vance guard of 15,000 strong have reached the heights around Addis Ababa where they are awaiting the main body of the Italian troops.
The motorised column with Mar- shal Badoglio and staff at the head. are about 45 miles distant from the Abyssinian capital.
WOUNDED
Shot By Drunken Rioter
Addis Ababa, May. 3. The British Ambulance Unit- commander, Dr. Melly, was Ber- jously wounded this morning, shot by an Ethiopian in the pillage-torn capital when attempting to take succour to the wounded.
<
Dr. Melly had stopped his car to pick up the wounded man, azid the drunken leader of a mob of looters thrust his revolver into the tar and shot the doctor through the lung.
CAPITAL NOW BUILDINGS RANSACKED
IN RUINS
Palace Completely Looted
('Hong Kong Dally Press Special}
Addis Ababa, May 3.
When the sun rosa on Addis Ababu on Sunday morning, there was lttle to be seen but heaps of smoking ruins. If, according to plau, the Italians enter the Capital on Monday, they will find nothing but ashes. Ever since the Negus left, plundering has been going on in all directions. Before the Em- peror left the Imperial Archive, the State Treasure was removed under convoy of a section of the Imperial guard who left the city in the western direction, This having been accomplished, the Negus or- dered that all gates of the T- perial Palace should be opened to Few Europeans are left outside
the mob who surged in and began the legations. Those who have spent
to demolish the building. Soon a night of terror. barricaded in
men and women were seen leaving their houses, fearing attacks from the Palace, heavily laden with rich the looters. There was a constant garments, valuable clothes hang- fusilade of shots all through things and furniture, as well as wen- night, though must of them were pons of all kinds. Also stores of Ered into the air by Ethiopians ammunition buried in the court- celebrating with
the unlimited yard of the Palace were distribut- supply of ammunition at their dis-ed among the crowd. At first the posal
It is understood that Dr. Melly 1s now at the home of the British. Minister, Sir Sidney Barton, at- tended by two doctors and a nurse. It is hoped he will recover,
REFUGE IN LEGATION Over 1,000 refugees are camped in tents and huts in the British Legation grounds, including Abuna, the Egyptian head of the Ethio-
plan church.
do not show any, anti-European Rescue partles state the looters
feeling, and attack only if inter- fered with. Most of the dead are Ethiopians, killed when trying to loot defended premises.
The big Indian store, owned by Mohamed All, is intact, but the are ravaged buildings include the post office, the British church and
the Coptic churches.- Reuter.
PROBLEM FOR THE
LEAGUE
Severe Blow To Prestige
The advance on the city is kept up all night; but at a reduced rate as the roads around Addis Ababa are in a deplorable condition partly owing to the destruction by the Hong Kong Dally Press" Special) Abyssinians and partly by the
A sma band of Sikh troops, un-havoc wrought by the tropical der British officers, is proving of the utmost consolation to the for- eign communiĒles in Addis Ababa. They are continually responding to appeals for help, and dash out from the British Legation. pound to
Paris, May. 3.
The flight of the Negus is des- rains. Hence they are in no state cribed by the papers as the com- heavy motor lorries. to permit rapid passage of the 3,000 plete collapse of Abyssinia, and placing the European countries be- From their position on the fore an entirely new situation, heights the Italian vanguard can "Temps" summarises the situation com- actually see and hear the tumult by saying that the flight of the extricate hard-press-in Addis Ababa and can see dense Negus is the tactic admission of ed foreigners of all nationalities.
columns of smoke rising from the defeat and any further attempt to Their latest errand was to con-ruins and they heard the rattle of rescue the country night have voy three lorries in which all the rifle fire that went on all Sunday been made if the Negus had enter- women and children of the Ameri- can Legation were transferred to the well-fortined British pound- Router.
com-
TURKISH LEGATION
SAVED
Washington, May 3. The British Legation Guard rend- The rioting at Addis Ababa is re-ered fimely service to the Turkish ported to have resulted in the
Legation. which was seriously death of 24 Greeks who were killed threatened by a howling mob, nr- while defending their shops against cording to an official message from
the looters.— -Heuter.
FRENCH REQUEST
Addis Ababa.
The Guard extricated all the
Turkish inmates after an action in
night.
ed into negotiations with the Ita-
Twelve hundred Europeans' who Hans.
that the Italian troops will enter on Monday-- Tranencena News Service.
DEBRE BREHAN OCCUPIED
had taken refuge in the Legations This deplorable situation has and whose positions are precarious taken the international public by have, however, been informed that | surprise. The war is in reality at Signor Mussolini himself has given its end. But, the "Tempe" goes on the order that "the advance on
to say, even if the Abyssinian con- Addis Ababa be accelerated as fast fict has ended in the military as possible. The expectation is sense, this is not so in the diploma- tic sense. One cannot disguise the fact that the collapse of Abyssinia has rendered a severe blow to the prestige of the League of Nations, and for the doctrine of collective security. When the League of Na-
a totally new state of affairs. The tions meets on May 11 it will face
sanctions policy, whose failure Eng- land herself at last had to admit, would move to the centre of gray- ty. The journal. "Des Debats" says that the League of Nations cannot be depended upon to clear up the Abyssinian condict. France, England and Italy will have to take the Initiative.- Transocean News Service.
Rome, May 4.
passed Termaber Pass and occupied The Italian, motorised columns
Debre Brehan, former capital of shoa. The advance guards are now forty kilometres beyond that
which several Ethiopians were kill-point, says a communique.
London, May 4. Due to the breakdown of the ed Government wireless station at
The advance continues on the
Mr. Engert, the United States southern front. Detachments have Addis Ababa the Ethiopian Lega- Minister, states that he has
reached a point eighty kilometres tions in London and Paris did not quested the British 'Legations to beyond Daggahbur, Air craft is receive words from their own Gov-asalst in the evacuation of the very active on the whole front. ernment for the last forty-eight members of the United States Le-
The population of Ogaden are hours. Sir Sidney Barton, the Bri- gation if necessary.-
welcoming the Italian troops as tish Minister is remaining at Addis | Reuter
deliverers. for the present to look after the
Heuter. British interests.
It is reported that M. Flandin has requested Signor Mussolini to speed up the Italian entry into Addis Ababa. in order to bring order in the city. It is understood. Il Duce has instructed Marshal Badogilo to advance into
the
* capital with the least delay.- leuter's Bulletin Service. ·
SEVEN MILES AWAY ·
Rome, May 1. Despatches state that Italian troops have occupied the bills soven miles from Addis Ababa.
FRANCE SENDING
TROOPS
Djibouti, May 4. The French Somaliland authoil- iles are despatching two companies of Senegalese troops to Addis Abu- ba to clear the railway. "Etation there, in consequence of the spread of rioting along the Djibouti-Addis.. Ababa line,
For example, a goods train was sacked at Aouache, and a free fight Reuter's Special Correspondent developed between Ethiopians and accompanying Marshal Badogo, Somalis.---- cables a formal
entry of the Heuter,
Italians into the capital will be made by Marshal Badogʻlo and his staf
Marshal Badoglio is at present at Debrasna, 10 miles from his objective, and a day's halt was necessitated by yesterday's dit- cult climb over Mount Termaber. During the climb they passed over 1,000 trucks broken down on the rough road, says the correspon **ident.
FRENCH TROOPS
"Paris, May 4. It is officially stated that French detachments have been sent from Djibouti to
where
Diredawa
a company of colonial troops are already stationed. The report that they are sent to reinforce the troops at Addis Ababa la incor- rect. fenter.
BRITISH CABINET
MEETING
Ethiopian Situation To Be Examined
London, May 3 The special meeting of the Cabl- net, called for to-morrow, will con- sider the recent developments in Ethiopia as well as the question naire to the German Chancellor, Herr Adolf Hitler.
The Ethioplan' situation, is TEZ-
ponsible for the liveliness at the Foreign Office. This afternoon, the Becretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, returned to town and drove to the Foreign Office in a taxicab. At 3.30 p.m. he conferred with Foreign office officials,
Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, also returned to London from Chequers, at 4 o'cipe Neuter
sudden acquisition of the great treasure put the crowd in good humour, but once with alcohol quarrelling started. and turmoll and chaos followed, becoming ex- ceedingly serious when robber bands from the neighbouring hills
poured in the city.
AND BURNED
Turkish Legation Unequal To
2
Armed Attack
FIVE KILLED BEFORE ARRIVAL OF RELIEF
London, May 4.
The Emperor's departure from the capital late on Friday was followed by grave disorders. Looting became general on Satur- day and there was great loss to property, many bulldings includ- ing churches being ransacked and burned. Later firearms were freely used and there were many casualties among the native po- pulation, but the situation as regards the safety of foreign lives continued satisfactory throughout the day, most of the foreign population having been already collected in Legation compounds. Towards night the firing in the streets diminished,
London
Press telegrams from Addis Ababa received In through the Foreign Office owing to closing of the Ethiopian Government wireless station give additional details of the dis- orders.
in
The Turkish Legation yesterday, after defending itself against armed attack, ultimately decided the position was untenable and“ a rescue party from the British Legation which went to their re- lef found five dead.
Later rescue parties were sent in forries la response to re- and Ave quest for assistance from the American Legation women and five children were evacuated and taken to the Brit- ish-Legation.
"
The United States Minister. his wife and six American men, armed with rifles and revolvers, are re- maining at the Legation and hope
to be able to hold it against any- thing but mobilised attack.
rains.
DOCTOR WOUNDED
escaped the conflagration is that, The reason why the Legations
Two thousand refugees belonging with the exception of the United
to 23 nationalities are reported States Legation, they are all qut- sheltering in the British Legation side the town. The German At-Many arrived entirely
exhausted. tache, Waldheim immediately or their misery increased by the heavy ganised two columns to search for all missing Europeans. The British Legation, took the same initiative and a number of motor lorries drove through the smoking streets, offer- ing help. In one house they found afteen Europeans under the com- mand of a German beside barbed wire entanglement. By 8 o'clock on Sunday all Europeans seemed to have been brought to safety. These текспе columns were not molested by the rioters The banks also seem to have been spared. to be critical Most Europeans will welcome the advent of the Italians, since the war is now considered. "officially” ended.-
"nanceon News Service
LEGATION ATTACKED
Paris, May. 3. The French Legation "at Advis Ababa was attacked last night by armed Ethiopian youths, who fired on the buildings.
The attackers were repulsed by the Askart guard, commanded by a French officer, according to a tele- gram received from the Legation by the French Government—
Beuter.
* ADVANCE PROGRESS
Washington, May. 3. The vanguard of the Italian army is within ten miles of Addis Ababa at 3 o'clock this afternoon, according to the latest" despatch from the American Minister at the moh-ruled capital.— Reiter
15
NEGUS' DESTINATION
Djibout, May. S. It is stated that althougn Em- peror Haile Selassie and his family have not embarked on the British destroyer here, they will do so to-
morrow.
Their destination has not yet been disclosed, but It is believed they will go first to Aden- Router.
EMPEROR SAILS FOR PALESTINE
MR. EDEN'S ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS
London, May 4
In the House of Commons to-day, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, announced that the Emperor of Abyasinia and his party are sailing from Djibout! 10-day aboard HMS. Enterprise. en-route to Halla.
..
i
The Foreign Secretary said that furtherance of hostilities while in on Friday evening the British Min- Palestine. Ister at Addis Ababa was informed
Mr. Eden paid, a warm tribute that the Emperor had renounced to the way in which the Legation the direction of affairs which had star handled a most dimcult and been confided to the Cabinet. The trying situation especially. Bir Sir Sidney Barton, whose conduct Emperor expressed a wish to pro- ceed with his family to Palestine.
of affairs throughout has been be- The British Government felt it mended the efficacy of the com- yond praise. He likewise com- incumbent to grant the «request. HM8, Enterprise has been ordered any of Indian troops whose pre-
sence certainly saved many Hves.. to Djibouti to convey the Emperor
Mr. Eden also paid a tribute to and party direct to Haifa and be the members of the British com-
is expected to embark at § D. munity who continually, at great local time.
risk, rescued Europeans of other It is naturally expected that the nationalties from danger Emperor will not participate in | Reuter.
Dr. Melly, who is in charge of the British ambulance, yesterday reached the British Legation. While tending a wounded Ethiopian be was shot through the lung by the drunken eader of the mob. He stood the journey to the Legation well, and although the wound is reported to be responding to treat ment. his condition will continue
ITALIAN PRISONERS HANDED OVER
Exchange For Ethiopian.
Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Paris, May. 3. Several passages from the report received by the Qual d'Orsay from
Minister the French
Addis Ababa, were published in the Paris
at
The British ambulance colect- ed and rended over 300 Ethiopians who were wounded.
FATAL INJURY
Mrs. Stadin, wife of the Ameri- can Mission doctor was fatally. B stray injured while sleeping, bullet falling through the roof of the Adventist Hospital.
Wholesale footing is now report- ed practically over, but a band of desperate men have come from the surrounding country and are roam-
ing the city.
Many new fires are reported and a great part of the centre of the city is destroyed.
I!
The Italians are reported to have reached Akaki River. a few miles from Addis Ababa where they are expected to-morrow. British Wireler,
•
ARRIVAL OF NEGUS AT DJIBOUTI
Cordial Welcome By French Governor
Hong Kong Daily Press" Specia:)
Addis Ababa, May 3. It is learned that the Negus' de-" parture from Addis Ababa was not accompanied by any kind of cere mony, none of the ruling Princes of Abyssinia or any foreign diplo- Solr on Sunday night. It is stated mats having come to take leave. that mo
Abyssinian authorities; At the Railway station of Djibouti, \ whatever have remained in the the Governor of French Somaliland was waiting at the head of all the city. Just prior to his departure, the Negus handed over to the high oficials to welcome the Em- French Minister five Italian pri-peror. A company of Senegalese soners to be exchanged for Abys- were drawn up as Guard of Honour ainian prisoners. This report also when the Negus, dressed in the white Field Marshal uniform, his mentioned that half of Addis Ababa. is in
Consort at his side, stepped down.. flames. Stray shots now and then hit the Legations, he gave the spectators the impres--
sion of a man visibly aged in the and women and children who have sought refuge there were put in last few months. When welcomed! the cellar, where they are very safe, cordially by the French Governor. who asked what special wishes the A later wireless report states that after the crowd has ransacked Negus might have, Haile Selassie the city, it began to turn its at-
answered that his only desire, was to be left alone from interviews tention to the foreign Legations, the French Legation now being be- and press photographers... The from the sieged by an angry mob since two Negus went directly to three hours. The French Minis- station to the Governor's palace. where he will be guest till Monday, ter has notified the Italian army
when, according to the current re- -that the situation is serious.--
Fransocean News Bervice.
ports here, he will go aboard\\the British destroyer "Diana," Negus will proceed first 'to' Aden, but strict secrecy prevails as to his subsequent movements....... Tallar press photographers tried to photo- graph the Negua and his entire, but Abyssinians hit; the cameras: out of their hands, and started a rain of blows on their heads, tir the French police separated the combatants.---.
ITALIAN VIEWS ON SITUATION
End Of War Assumed
("Hong Kong Dally Prem" Special)
Transocean News Service:
"JAPAN'S INTEREST "IN ETHIOPIA
מתיני
Tokyo, May 4: Japanese officials are now, watch-
Rome, May. S. The fight of the Negus and the impending entry: of Italian troops into the capital is considered-here as the end of the war. Even if the remnating of Rss Naşibu's army on this cannot alter the basic fact of 'the south front continus résistance.
the Italian victory. The wildest de- events in Ethlonia with the deepest concern, in view of Japan's light prevails throughout Italy treaty, commercia and other vest- The newspaper, apparently cared interests in the country. ried away with enthusiasm, declare that if the sanctions are not lift to Ethiopia, amounting to approx- These interests include exports ed immediately, it would mean war mately 10,000.000 yen annually, in Europe..
which, it is feared, Italy will shut
It is believed that immediately out. the troops have entered Addis Ababa, peace negotiations will be gin, and that some Abyssinian Ministers will return to the capital for this purpose. Transocean News Service,
It is declared that Japan lé par suing a positive and independent. policy, and that she will take ades nuste measures to safeguard her rights
Reuter