Rome, Feb, 28.
"aly can in all safely withdraw every soldier and every gun from Xritrea and Somaliland. 1 swear on the honour of my country that Abys-sinza has never dreamed of attacking Mahan colonies," Mf, Ghevre Yesus Afework, Ethiopian Charge Aflaires in Rome, told newspapermen yester-
"This statement," he added, "has already been made by the Abyssinian Emperor to King Victor Emmanuel and to Signor Mussolini, dut aly continues to send troops "and muni tions to the Abyssinian borders, "Abyssinia," he added, "only wants to remain true to the treaty of amity, conciliation and arbitration which she concluded with Italy, Besides, We are deeply attached to the League of Nations which binds us. directly with the western elvillzation.
1 the Committee of Arbitration, he concluded, "puts the blame for the Ilalo-Abyssinian incidents at issue on Ethiopia, the latter is prepared to pay the indemnity of 800,000 lire claimed by Italy."
While commenting on M. Afework's statement, Rome political quarters point out that it was merely a repetition of all that had been sala by Abyssinians on a number of occasions, fand that Ethiopia's desire for peace should be proved by deeds. Facts, however, showed the contrary, these quarters' "add, and" this is\ what [prompted Italy to take precautionary measures.
At Messina, 1200 soldiers and 110 officers embarked aboard the s. Leonardo da Vinel, which weighed anchor Inst night. The s. Arcadia, sailed, fom "Naples yesterday after. oon with a cargo of war materials
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.