Category: Italo-Ethiopian War

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Testimonies Italo-Ethiopian War

The Chicago Defender, March 9 1935

The Chicago Defender, March 9 1935

“DOOM AND DESTRUCTION AWAIT ITALY IN ETHIOPIA SAY EXPERTS

MUSSOLINI’S TROOPS CAN NEVER CONQUER AFRICAN WARRIORS

ADDIS ABABA – Some of the tenseness that originally attended the break between Ethiopia and Italy has subsided in the last few days, but one can see at a glance that preparations for war are going on as usual. Day by day new troops, headed by their chieftains ride down from the mountains that almost completely hide this town from the world, and stack their arms in view of their Emperor’s castle.

In the meantime, Emperor Haile Selassie, the only absolute monarch in the world today, sits in his consultation room of the palace and discusses with his advisers the best methods of keeping he troops from far-off Italy from grabbing up his kingdom as white soldiers have gobbled up the rest of Africa. Dressed in regular European attire, the Emperor look much like an American mulatto but for his beard which he prizes highly. His street clothes, however, consist always of the native raiment of flowing robes and rich headwear.

The native costume, the Emperor says, is for he benefi of his people who would not appreciate the European wear. The Emperor, however, having been educated in Europe, has all the culture and diplomacy of the best of France and England. He speaks English, German, French and Italian fluently, edits his own newspaper and, in the opinion of English critics, writes some of the most biting editorials known to journalism.

He is kindly, considerate, and yet rules his 15,000,000 subjects with an iron hand. He speaks with a soft voice, yes with an authority that indicates that he means to be obeyed.

Those are some of the outstanding traits of the Emperor who is preparing daily to resist the invasion of his country now being openly threatened by Italy and the blustering Mussolini.”

Categories
Italo-Ethiopian War More Speeches of Haile Selassie I

MESSAGE TO THE ITALIAN ANTI-FASCISTS – 1938

Geneva, 1938.
Message of His Majesty published by Sergio Ala, an Italian anti-fascist journalist.

“I am pleased to meet one of the Italians who are against the aggression of Italy and who fights against the war.

Please send, in my name, greetings to all anti-fascists.

I know full well that the majority of the Italian people did not desire the war, and that the majority of the people have no hatred against the Ethiopians.

The Italians have been either deceived or forced into the war.

I have no feeling of hatred against the Italian people.

I have spoken personally to many Italians who had been made prisoners by the Ethiopian army. I gave orders that they should be treated humanely, as men, not as enemies.

All have declared to me that they were not fascists, and that the authorities had deceived them, telling them they would be received in Ethiopia as friends and liberators, and that they would find there riches and rest – not warfare.

Fascism employed to destroy the independence of Ethiopia the same violent methods it used and still uses, to destroy the liberties of Italy.

We shall continue the fight – for our independence – at all costs, in spite of difficulties, betrayals and indifference.” #QHS

(Taken from “Ethiopia: Liberation Silver Jubilee”, Imperial Ethiopian Ministry of Information, 1966)

Categories
Italo-Ethiopian War

The Ethiopian Campaign of Liberation was an Epic Military Feat

DID YOU KNOW that the Ethiopian liberation campaign, personally led by Emperor Haile Selassie I and fought by Ethiopian and British forces against the Fascist aggressors, was an epic and heroic enterprise, which led to the defeat of an Italian army 20 times larger ? His Majesty clearly states about this:
“On comparing the number of our soldiers with that of the enemy we found that we had one soldier for every 20 of his.” (Selected Speeches p. 336)
Thus the same legendary proportions of the battle of Gaugamela were realized, where in the 4th century BC Alexander the Great astonishingly defeated the numerically superior Persian army and marked the greatest military feat in history. In order to highlight this prophetical parallel, His Majesty said:
“History records that military science enabled Alexander the Great to conquer a large part of the world, often engaging his 30,000 soldiers against the adversary’s 600,000.” (Selected Speeches p. 42). Because of his conversion to Jewish Faith, Alexander the Great is also venerated in Ethiopia as a Saint (Qeddus Eskender ቅዱስ፡እስክንድር).
Categories
Italo-Ethiopian War More Speeches of Haile Selassie I

The Message of His Majesty for Liberty Magazine (Nov 9, 1935)

“CONQUERING LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
HAILE SELASSIE I
ELECT OF GOD, KING OF KINGS OF ETHIOPIA
For Liberty
In the conflict with Italy, Ethiopia is conscious of having fulfilled all the international obligations resulting from our special treaty with Italy, as well as from the multilateral treaties to which we are parties and which constitute the fundamental basis of public international law.
Notwithstanding the fact that our adversary who seeks to possess Ethiopia has frequently insulted her and called her a barbarous nation, Ethiopia has unceasingly prosecuted efforts to compel the fulfillment of international obligations by her reluctant opponent, and has observed throughout the conflict a policy of conciliation which has demonstrated our steadfast attachment to the cause of peace, despite the belligerent disposition, military preparations, and avowed intention of our neighbor to initiate a war of conquest.
Peace is indispensable to Ethiopia in order that our people may be conducted along the way of progress. We hope that the statesmen of the great nations who preside over the destinies of the world will not permit that an unjust and destructive war be waged in Ethiopia and undo all that has been done in recent years in the way of modernization.
But if war must be brought to us by one of the great nations, and with it the proof that the methods evolved and accepted by modern civilization to insure the peaceful settlement of international disputes and to prevent war may be disregarded with impunity by any nation when to do so serves its own selfish purpose, we are determined to defend our freedom and our territory and to sacrifice if necessary all our resources of human lives and property.”
(Published on “Liberty” US weekly Magazine, November 9 1935)
Categories
Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes Italo-Ethiopian War

The Departure from Addis Abeba into Exile (1936)

“Suddenly everyone stiffened. One of the two doors in the pavilion opened. Palace servants, bare-footed and their shammas drawn over the sword-arm, ran out to clear the porch. The Emperor followed.

He was dressed in khaki as a general. His aspect froze my blood. Vigour had left the face, and as he walked forward he did not seem to know where he was putting his feet. His body was crumpled up, his shoulders drooped: the orders on his tunic concealed a hollow, not a chest.

I did not know it then, but later I learned that the chiefs whom he had ordered out, some of whose troops had cheered the very order, refused to go.

They pleaded inability to assemble their soldiers.

They appeared behind the Emperor now, completely satisfied wih their excuses. Gatatchu had even donned a new pair of grey trousers, with a military stripe down the side, immaculately creased. He smelt of fresh scent.

They did not realise, as the Emperor realised, that their reluctance had destroyed the last chance of organised military resistance in Ethiopia. They still believed themselves to be great leaders of men (…)

Gates of the courtyard opened… Nine hundred men followed, armed with new Mausers, marching well, carrying gas masks. As they passed the saluting base they eyes-righted the Emperor.

He did not respond, scarcely raised his hand. He recognised no one. His eyes focussed neither on objects nor on space. After the shock of the final disobedience, the parade which he was now forced to attend meant nothing, and he bitterly paid it no attention.

He went back into the pavilion. Buxton drew near with his box of Bibles, but he could not speak to he Emperor: none of us could speak to him, not even the young adviser Spencer. (…)

I stood between the doors and looked in. The Emperor lay back in the corder of a deep sofa, utterly exhausted, his high black hair showing like a halo over a face without feeling. The Empress sat erect at the other end, with her finger raised. Occasionally the white net on her head shook as she emphasised a point. When he said wearily that he would fight on, she insisted that he should fly. The sixteen-year-old boy stood by for orders, but they never came: he marched his soldiers of a day back to their homes, to the latest bugles of Ethiopia.

For hours the Empress lectured the Emperor. (…)

It must have been then that the Emperor at last decided to go. Reason, the appeal to the League, allied itself to the instinct of flight…”

(Taken from “Ceasar in Abyssinia”, G.L. Steer, 1936)

Categories
Italo-Ethiopian War

Fascist Crimes in Ethiopia – Radio Broadcast / February 2024

Fascist Crimes in Ethiopia – Radio Broadcast – Stereochemist hosts Matyas Tekle Selassie on REAL ROOTS RADIO www.realrootsradio.net
Spiritual and historical dialogue concerning the colonial invasion of Ethiopia by the Italian troops of Mussolini; the fascist atrocities during the 5 years of occupation and resistance; the liberation of Ethiopia and the forgiveness given to the aggressors; the shining human and political example of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I.
February 2024
Art by Matteo De Domenico aka Ras Dedo

 

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Prophecy Italo-Ethiopian War

The Return of the Roman Empire

5th of May 1936. In this picture we have the first page of an Italian Fascist Newspaper, “Gazzetta del Popolo”, after the occupation of Addis Abeba by Fascist troops:

“The Empire reappears on the fatal hills of Rome.”

In Revelation chapter 17 5-10, we read:

“And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration… And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings.”

Rome was built on 7 hills by 7 kings. His Majesty said about this mystery:

“Five years ago today the fascist forces entered our capital city. Then Mussolini announced to the world that he had established a Roman Empire in our country, Ethiopia.”  (Selected Speeches p. 334)

Rome became an Empire at the time of Augustus, successor of Caesar. Christ has born during the rule of Augustus, as it is written:

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2,1)

So the ancient Empire reappears, and even Christ, as it was 2000 years ago.

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Testimonies Italo-Ethiopian War

The Chicago Defender – March 2 1935

“News that the first contingent of Italian soldiers have arrived in Eritrea, on the eastern front of Ethiopia, does not give Emperor Haile Selassie the slightest worry, it was indicated here this week.

‘We have done all a nation can do to preserve peace, but will not humiliate ourselves for Italy or any other country. We have appealed to no country for aid or for sympathy. We are fully aware that many nations desire the privilege of exploiting our mineral resources, therefore, are not misled by the pretenses they make to find an excuse for invading our country. But once the invasion starts, the worry will be theirs, not ours’. #QHS

(…) The Emperor of Ethiopia is not only a keen student of military tactics, but is a diplomat as well. Educated in France and England, he has absorbed much of the suavity of those countries along with the military astuteness of the former. Besides running his country ably, Haile Selassie is an accomplished journalst, and edits the country’s only newspaper along with the assistance of the Empress, who, besides being a model, modern mother in every sense of the word, is a typist and a shorthand expert”.

 

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Teachings Italo-Ethiopian War

Ethiopia the Last Citadel of Collective Security – 1936

“Do the peoples of the world not yet realize that by fighting on until the bitter end I am not only performing my sacred duty to my people but standing guard in the last citadel of collective security ? Are they too blind to see that I have responsibilities to the whole of humanity to face ? I must still hold on until my tardy allies appear. And if they never come, then I say prophetically and without bitterness the west will perish.” #QHS
April 1936