Sift, — " There is reason to 'believe that the Italian reprisals
in Addis Ababa . . . were carried out with a savagery almost beyond 'description. For three days. after the attempted assassination' of the Marshal every able-bodied Italian in the place appears to have been encouraged to slaughter natives . . The number of victims in this massed slaughter is stated to be about 6,cioo -."
These are the first and last words of the report in The Times of the action taken by the Italians following the attempt on the life of Mar-shal Graziani--.-6,000 lives taken by Italian occupants Specially armed' 'for that purpose.
At the time of the Italian incursion into Abyssinia, there was no lack of -Fascist sympathisers of the campaign, a cam- paign to bring the inestimable benefits of ItaliAn :civilisation to the 'natives; the campaign was punctuated by explanations by Italian leaders of the civilising mission of the invading armies. Let us hope that our English Fascists and sympathisers With the doctrines of Mussolini rejoice in the thoroughness With which- Abyssinian natives are being civilised ; let us hope that their' Consciences are satisfied that the slaughter is, all in the best of all possible causes, and that no responsibility for it reitS with them. Let us hope that our Government's com- placency—its most consistent characteristic hitherto—is not disturbed by the image of a population of road-makers and
navvies, soldiers and artisans, shopkeepers and others, being specially armed and told to kill and mutilate, rape and massacre, as many as they like of a population of disarmed and defenceless natives.
And let those of us who foresaw some such thing as this reflect that we may be similar victims if Fascism triumphs here.
And finally, let us hope, too, that the Pope has made his peace with the Lord and has assured Him that it is for His greater glory that His children should be slaughtered by his landlords. May his conscience be comforted by the mission
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