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The Autobiography of Emperor Haile Sellassie I - Volume 2



CHAPTER XVI

PREPARING OUR PEOPLE FOR A GENERAL WAR-OUR MEETING WITH SIR ANTHONY EDEN-OPPOSITION FROM THE BROCKLEHURST GROUP



In the Sudan We started preparing declarations which were to be air­dropped and distributed... and began mobilizing Our people. When the news of Our return began to reach Our people in the month of August, many patriots led by Major Mesfin Sileshi came with pack animals, and We went to Gedaref to meet them. The patriots were those who were working under Dejazmatch Mengesha Jembere.

Meanwhile, the Italians had begun to mobilize all their military resources in order to occupy Rosaires, where Our people were assembling. At this time, Our main duty was to admonish Our people who had lined up with the Italians. We urged them to give up fighting against their own people and their own flag and to abandon the enemy. Through writings and advice, We told them to come to Our side waving white flags and to assemble around Dejazmatch Adafrisaw, whom We had appointed to oversee this activity. We tried to explain to the Ethiopians that they would be despatched [by the Italians] to the front lines to become the first victims of the war and to suffer from the blistering heat of the desert as well as from lack of water and food and that what was in store for them was total annihilation.

At the time, Graziani, [once] the brutal governor of Ethiopia, was fighting in Libya against the British. The Italians spread the rumor that he would defeat the British... [break the blockade of] Port Said and eventually rescue Ethiopia for the Italians. To counter, We explained to Our people that, if Graziani did not escape to Italy, the British would bring him to Port Said in chains.

At the beginning of December 1939, the Italian army which was in Libya under the command of Graziani, began to be defeated by the British. Humiliated, the brutal Graziani handed over 40,000 prisoners of war to the British. Of these, 1,626 were commanding officers, including five generals. We also heard that a sixth general... had been killed in action. Several airplanes and a number of weapons were destroyed. As these events unfolded, We had made everything known to Our people.

Misleading and deceiving Our people was the paramount task for the Italians. Indeed, those Ethiopians who believed that the power of the Italians was invincible... for eternity fought against their country... at Guba, Gallabat and Metemma, and sacrificed their lives for the enemy's cause.

On the other hand, those who came to Us were enabled to fight for their country's freedom and their own flag They became a source of pride for their kinsmen. We regarded them as coming from damnation to righteousness. This being so, as a father who advises his children conscientiously, We continued regularly and frequently to counsel Our people in order to save them from becoming innocent victims. From the beginning of the occupation, We never had withheld Our guidance from those who were in the service of the Italians.

Our instructions were to abandon the Italians, come to Us to fight for their freedom, and to join [Fit.] Tafera Zelleke, Dejazmatch Mengesha Jembere, Dejazmatch Negash and Kenyazmatch Worku at Belaya.

The following are samples from the handbills which were distributed at the time:

[1.]

Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Haile Sellassie I
Elect of God, Emperor of Ethiopia.

My Countrymen, Ethiopians!

How long are the Italians going to deceive you? They brought you to the desert to make you suffer from the blistering heat and to be destroyed by bombs at the battlefields. I, your Emperor, have come, with the help of the British to free you from the yoke of the enemy.

Against whom did you come to fight? Is it against your country, your flag, and your mother Ethiopia? Did you not hear what your brothers, the Ethiopian patriots, did... against our enemy the Italians in Tegede, Kwara, Begemdir and other places? Turn your guns against our enemies-the Italians. I have sent on my behalf Dejazmatch Adafrisaw.

Turn against the Italians and join Dejazmatch Adafrisaw in Rosaires as soon as possible.

[2.]

Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Haile Sellassie I
Elect of God, Emperor of Ethiopia

To the bande and my people resident in Wombera. Take heed of this! I have come at the head of the Ethiopian Army and with British troops to drive the Italians out and restore Ethiopia's full independence.

The Italians are hopeless. The Italian army [in Libya] was routed in the month of December by the British. The man [Graziani] who once ruled Ethiopia with utter brutality, has been defeated, and turned over to the British 40,000 prisoners of war. Among these, 1,626 were officers. More than 200 artillery pieces, nearly 100 tanks, [and] over 900 machine guns were captured by the British. Five top generals were captured. [A] sixth general... was killed in action and 176 airplanes were destroyed.

Today [in North Africa] the Italians are fighting a losing battle defensively in harbor towns whence they might be able to escape. Do you remember the Italian propaganda which claimed that Graziani would occupy Egypt, break the blockade of Port Said, and rescue Ethiopia for the Italians? I can assure you, if Graziani is unable to escape from Libya and go to Italy, he will be captured by the British and come to Port Said in chains.

The Italians are totally desperate. The banda force left behind in Guba is on the run after being pounded by the British, who were acting in accordance with my orders. My instruction for the rest of you is this: forsake the Italians before you are betrayed by them and join Tafera Zelleke at Belaya and take up arms to fight for your freedom.

[3.]

Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Haile Sellassie I
Elect of God, Emperor of Ethiopia

To the loyal patriots of Gojam and to all My people who are under the jurisdiction of the Italians.

The hour of your freedom has arrived. Dejazmatch Negash and Dejazmatch Mengesha, the mighty commanders, are near you. Ask your brothers who are loyal to Us about their whereabouts and join them immediately with your weapons and munitions

Do not be frightened of the Italians. You have seen with your own eyes that they were annihilated in no time by British bombs. Leave them alone, let them receive the punishment that God has ordered to rain upon them. On your part, join the forces of Dejazmatch Mengesha and Dejazmatch Negash as quickly as you can Assemble under the umbrella of [our] victorious flag in order to be able to crush our cruel enemy.

Long live Ethiopia !

[4.]

Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Haile Sellassie I
Elect of God, Emperor of Ethiopia

To the soldiers in Italian employment stationed in Kwara! You are aware of Italy's atrocities and the use of poison gas against us.

I, your Emperor, with the help of the British government, have come to set you free. Knowing this, the Italians are gathering you in concentration camps to annihilate you completely. Therefore, before you are hit by bombs, be courageous and join Us as quickly as possible. If you do so, you will not be denied Our gracious mercy.

Those of you who are present at the Kwara camp, go ahead and join Kenyazmatch Worku. He will receive you if you decide to do so. And bring... Italian captives to the Sudan.

* * *

Italy, on her part, stepped up her propaganda campaign by distributing forged leaflets allegedly signed by Us and stamped with Our seal. Our picture was also printed to make the materials look as if they were sent out by Us.

Italy did this to deceive the Ethiopians who had been cooperating with her in order to ensure their continued service. She distributed printed materials supposedly sent from the noblemen who were with Us, claiming that We were returning with a plan of retribution against the collaborators, and that We were vesting titles in Our patriots only to revoke them as soon as We returned. Nevertheless, her propaganda was never effective. It rather exposed her own inherent weakness.

Italy's imposition of her rule over Our people and her use of such cheap propaganda did not surprise Us at all. Naturally, as the saying goes, truth and quality become visible gradually. For that reason Our confidence rested on doing the right thing. In Our declaration of Hamle 16, 1932 E. C. [July 23, 1941], We made clear that We harbored no feeling of retribution against either the bandas or the ascari officers. We were basically intent on freeing Our country from the yoke of the enemy, using whatever means were available to Us. We never contemplated taking revenge on the people who were divided among themselves because of the difficult times. That Our aim was only this, was demonstrated during the ensuing period.

Italy's motive for its cheap and confusing propaganda was to protect her power from eroding and to preserve the integrity of her army. At the same time she wanted to demoralize Our people, but to counter her ploy, We made educating Our people one of Our objectives... and [also] made corrective responses to Italy's allegations.

Those who struggled valiantly against the Italians were to be rewarded... [by land] allocations, according to each one's contribution, after independence had been restored. Despite Italy's attempt to portray Us as [ungrateful], We were sure that it was not the right time for Us to belittle or praise the accomplishment of individual patriots.

We [even] had no intention of carrying out reprisals against those who forged and falsified Our seal and signature. This was known to Our Creator alone, who in those days was keeping record of all We aspired to accomplish.

It is also to be remembered that, when we were in exile, the Italians circulated false rumors of Our death. In like manner, even while We were in the Sudan, Italy continued to spread her sinister propaganda. Some bandas fell victim to her wicked machinations. Disillusioned, some of them died fighting to the last moment for Italy. On Our part, We did Our best to tell the truth about Our campaigns.

To that end, We sent a group of messengers to Ethiopia in order to continue the war of politics against Italy. The group prepared and distributed leaflets of its own along with some sent from Us, thereby spreading the news of Our return. As a result, most of Our people were convinced to make a determined struggle in order to free themselves from the yoke of the enemy and to join our unity.

In addition to all these, We established, on Tikimt 4, 1933, E. C. [Oct. 14. 1940], a newspaper called Our Flag and began its distribution in Kassala, Teseney, Metemma and Guba, Assosa, Bahir Dar, Dangla, Bure, Gedaref, and Beni Shangul. The first editors of the newspaper were Ato Tamrat Amanuel and Captain Steer, but afterwards, We named Sirak Herui as editor.

* * *

While We were preparing Our patriots and Our people in these ways, the British authorities were holding back from Us information about what was really going on. Thus We heard everything belatedly. [While] We did not openly protest the Sudanese administration's indifference to Our cause, Our dissatisfac­tion with it was made known to the British government.

[In order to settle matters,] Sir Anthony Eden arrived in Sudan from London on Tikimt 20, 1933 [Oct. 30, 1940], accompanied by [General] Sir Archibald Wavell, Field Marshal [Jan Christian] Smuts, Mr. [later Sir] Michael Wright, Lieutenant General D P. Dickinson, Lieutenant General Alan G. Cunningham and other senior military officers. During the three days of talks, We appealed to Sir Anthony Eden for more logistical support and other necessities for the execution of the war plan. We also stressed that the pledges of assistance needed to be followed by substance and urged him to translate his promises into practice. Anthony Eden assured Us that a large amount of material and transport would reach Us as soon as possible.

Moreover, the... conferees... agreed to a provisional... [order of battle] for the campaign. General Platt was to lead a detachment from the Middle Eastern command into the north through Eritrea, while General Cunningham was to command the East and South African forces through southern Ethiopia. We were to lead a small regiment composed of the patriots of Gojam, the exiles, and a detachment of British forces and push into central Ethiopia.

We also received an assurance from Anthony Eden and the rest of the senior military authorities that the necessary military equipment for the campaign would be provided. At this time, there was no commitment made by Ethiopia to pay or reimburse the British government in return for the military aid it was to give.

At the Khartoum conference a decision was made to provide 25,000 camels and pack animals for Our front alone. Toward the end of... October 1940, while We waited for realization of the pledge made to Us by Anthony Eden, Major Orde Wingate came to Us from the Cairo command to be Our political and military adviser and to train the liberation forces. He told Us that, for training expenses, he had received a credit of one million pounds sterling from the British Middle East High command.

As the result of the report of Major Orde Wingate, We waited enthusiastically for the realization of promises. We were hoping to be able to provide sufficient military equipment, clothing and food for Our patriots and refugees as well as transportation to move the material and food. But all these took much time before they arrived. Meanwhile, Major Wingate and Ato Makonnen Desta went into Gojam to survey the strength of the Italians. They returned to the Sudan after having exchanged views with Sandford.

[Shortly thereafter]... in the month of Hidar 1933 [on Dec. 2, 1940], Major Wingate attended a high level military conference in Cairo. When he came back he explained the campaign to be undertaken in Ethiopia, in terms of the encounter between "Goliath and David." He used the illustration to show the strength of the Italian forces.

Although We were quite sure that the situation inside Ethiopia was ripe for starting the campaign, because of British procrastination, a long time elapsed before it was launched. Moreover, the lack of military equipment remained the biggest impediment to opening the campaign.

When it became necessary to integrate the Ethiopian refugees and patriots and organize them as a new force for the liberation campaign, a military school led by British military officers was established at Sobat and training soon began.

The Italians were aware that We were going to enter through Gojam and worried about it. Thus, they massed their forces there and assaulted Gojam... especially... [from] Debre Markos and Bure. However, since Dejazmatch Negash was guarding the entrances to these places, the Italians were not [wholly] successful in their efforts.

On the other hand, We heard that the force that came in the direction of Bahir Dar and Dangla to attack our patriots was engaged by the soldiers led by Dejazmatch Mengesha Jembere, who overpowered [the Italians] and gained the upper hand. Consequently, the enemy force was weakened and withdrew in haste, while most Ethiopians who were fighting alongside the Italians deserted and joined the patriots. We used to spend the nights with a sigh of relief whenever We heard from the various people who came to Khartoum that the patriot forces were gaining the upper hand and expanding their area of control. The news of the strength of Our patriots was confirmed when We heard that they had dislodged the enemy at Gallabat and taken its control into their hands.

The enemy forces left Gallabat and Metemma to the Ethiopians and retreated to Mariam Wuha in order to join up with reinforcements from Gonder. However, Our patriots blocked the march, and their plans were not realized. As soon as We heard that Gallabat and Metemma were retaken, We sent messages to the peoples of Gojam, Gonder, and Kimant, as well as to the people of Armacheho to unite their forces and destroy the enemy and cut off one unit from the other.

Our patriots... began implementing this strategy The enemy reinforcements sent to Gallabat were attacked by patriots led by Gerazmatch Wubneh Tessema, Gerazmatch Reda [Aleme] and other patriots from Chilga and Armacheho and were defeated before reaching their destination. As a result and owing to the presence of large numbers of patriots, Armacheho became the center for executing the campaign plan and a training ground for a new and powerful military force.

All these things happened eight months after the military conference with Anthony Eden. While we were [waiting], We received a message from Colonel Sandford [in December 1940], The message indicated that if the campaign were launched as quickly as possible, the whole liberation war might be over during the rainy season. It further explained that the sooner the campaign started the better it would be for executing its general plan...

On Our part, We suggested to the British authorities in Khartoum that it was necessary to launch the campaign in the month of January 1941. Afterwards, We learned that the goal of 25,000 transport camels had not been met as planned and that only 15,000 had been made available. Be that as it may, We insisted that the campaign be launched as soon as possible so that We could be among Our people, as We had promised, at the earliest possible time. A decision was made to expedite the beginning of the campaign, but in the meantime, a frustrating attempt was made to obstruct the program.

In the month of December 1940, a group led by an Englishman called [Lieut.] Colonel [Courtney] Brocklehurst arrived in Cairo. The group was bent on dividing Ethiopians along ethnic lines. Feeling that the time was right for accomplishing that purpose, they... were successful in creating ambivalent attitudes among the British authorities.

Colonel Brocklehurst started off in England with the help of a few supporters. His team's intention was to make its way into southern Ethiopia and there foment internecine conflicts and start a civil war. Ultimately, when the country was dismembered, they hoped to occupy it [for Britain], In order to get the permission of the British authorities in Cairo, Colonel Brocklehurst suggested that, if I take my team into Southern Ethiopia and convince the people that We have come not only to liberate the country from the Italians, but also from the former adminstration, the people will be ready to line up with the British army... and the return of the emperor to Ethiopia will not be necessary.

General Archibald Wavell assumed that the idea was presented in good faith and thought that it was the right plan for realizing British aspirations to expand its territories in East Africa. He and his political advisers... permitted Colonel Brocklehurst to proceed to Khartoum and discuss the matter with the authorities in the Sudan We heard that he had left Cairo and arrived in Khartoum where We were staying.

Even Major Wingate, a person who was assigned to work as Our political adviser, was confused about this matter. Since at that time Major Wingate's knowledge about Us and the people of Ethiopia was very limited, he asked himself whether Brocklehurst's initiative was genuine or a hoax. However, in spite of his confusion, Wingate discharged his duty as effectively as ever. Meanwhile, Brocklehurst was successful in convincing some British authorities.

We felt [therefore] that We should not watch the matter with cold detachment and asked Majors Wingate and Chapman-Andrews whether [Brocklehurst's goal] was an objective of the British government, or, if not, why the initiative had been taken. They assured Us with the utmost candor that it was the sinister intention of some people and advised Us to send a telegram to Mr. Churchill through General Wavell.

Accordingly, We prepared the telegram and sent it to General Wavell in Cairo, asking him to forward it to Mr Churchill. In response, We were assured that the members of the Brocklehurst team would be dismissed, and they were immediately... expelled from the Sudan.

Even though We were distressed by the evil intentions of Brocklehurst and his supporters, at this point, We would like to recognize the political battle that people like Colonel Sandford, Major Wingate, Captain Steer and many others not listed here, waged on Our behalf. They deserve Our accolades for their commitment to truth and justice. We remember them with profound emotion and heartfelt commendation for their accomplishment.

After the end of the Brocklehurst challenge, We started mobilizing to begin the campaign. In the month of December, Britain and Italy were engaged in a full scale war in Libya. Afterwards, We heard that General Graziani was defeated in Libya, and [We] sent a telegram to General Wavell, the Supreme Commander of the British Middle Eastern High Command: "We would like to congratulate you on the victory of your troops over the Libyan forces led by General Graziani. This great victory owes much to British determination and patience and the cooperation of the Allied forces, and it will be the epic example of the future victories that are yet to be achieved on the other fronts as well." In response, General Wavell sent Us a telegram in which he said, "Our victory over Graziani is the first of the victories which we are hoping to achieve on the rest of the fronts."


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November 26, 2017