"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٦‎٢] (٤٣٤/٣٢٤)

18
( 12 )
(Received on 8th February 1937 with Political Secretary's letter No. 3, dated
21st January, 1937.)
Letter from the Admiralty, London, to the Under Secretary of State,
India Office, No. M. 05702/36, dated 12th January 1937.
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to trans
mit for the information of the Secretary of State for India in Council an ex
tract from a report of proceedings of H. M. S. Danae during passage from
Ports-mouth to Singapore from the 25th August to 28th October, 1936.
Enclosure 1 to S. No. (12).
* * * *
Aden.
17. Although the now famous Maffey Report found there was little to
fear from an occupation of Abyssinia by Italy, the view of Europeans, Arabs
and Somalis in the Red Sea area appears to be that the conflict between
Italy and Great Britain i? all but certain to break out within the next few
years. They only differ on the subject of time : when it will become impossi
ble for Great Britain to acquiesce further in their lines of communications
to Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean and their territories in Africa and
Arabia being threatened by the Black Army of Italy. In 1935 Italy pre
pared for a war against the Abyssinians, they say ; in 1939 or 1940 she will
prepare for a war against British territories, possibly when Britain is already
engaged in the Far East or in Europe.
18. Points of interest which arose in conversations may be summarised
as follows :—
(a) Although the King of the Yemen is anti-Italian, he is old. His
Prime Minister is strongly pro-Italian and the King’s son is
being educated at Asmara by the Italians.
(b) A great deal of pro-Italian propaganda is going on in the Yemen
and considerable sums of money are being spent by the Italians
in this territory.
(c) Tw r o Battalions of Yemen troops have been formed as part of the
Italian Army of Abyssinia.
(d) A number of Somali Battalions are also being formed. Recruits
are being paid 300 lira a month. It is reported that
this pay is attracting even British Somali seamen: out of
45 told recently to report only 2 came forward.
(e) Imports into Abyssinia are being confined to Italian products
and manufactures. British goods are being refused entry.
The economic position of Italy and her Colonies makes such
action necessary.
(f) The Italian troops are discontented and the majority are to be
repatriated. The future Italian Army in Abyssinia is to con
sist of 40,000 Italian and 160,000 black troops. With this
Army it is not thought that Italy will find it difficult to sub
jugate the country. Their ‘ frightfulness ’ against the black
population is likely, as in Libya, to have the desired effect.
(g) Great Britain has ‘ lost face ’ greatly in the whole native area
of North East Africa and Arabia. The people are not interested
in -what is said, but in what happens, and Italy has seized
Abyssinia despite the opposition of Great Britain.
19. The view appears to be held generally that Great Britain is only
too prone to believe the unfriendly actions and statements of a foreign power
to be bluff. That the policy of Italy in the Red Sea is definitely aimed at
damaging the strategic position of Great Britain. That in a war with Italy
is