International African Friends of Abyssinia International African Friends of Abyssinia The International African Friends of Abyssinia (IAFA), also known as the International African Friends of Ethiopia, was an organisation established in London, England, in 1935 to protest against Italian aggression against Abyssinia (see Second Italo-Ethiopian War). Its membership was composed of many important Pan-African figures, several of whom later formed the International African Service Bureau. IAFA's first public meeting was held on 23 July 1935, with another public meeting taking place on Sunday, 28 July at Memorial Hall in Farringdon Street, London, and was widely reported in newspapers. Throughout the summer of 1935, the IAFA
SS Abyssinia liners required for a weekly service. "Abyssinia" and her sister, "Algeria" were the first Cunard express steamers built to carry steerage passengers, a concept that was proved profitable four years earlier by the Inman Line. As completed in 1870, "Abyssinia" carried 200 first class passengers and 1050 steerage. She had a service speed of 12.5 knots and was a full knot slower than "Russia". Both "Abyssinia" and "Algeria" were larger than their near sister, "Parthia". Unlike "Abyssinia" and "Algeria" which were built in Glasgow, "Parthia" had been constructed in Dumbarton. Cunard employed "Abyssinia" on the Liverpool, Queenstown, New York service.