Abaza was born in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi, Georgia) into a noble family of Moldavian origin; his father served on the Mixed Courts of Egypt.
[2] Abaza played a key role in the enlistment of Russians into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
[3] In 1916, he unsuccessfully lobbied the Australian government to ban Russians from leaving the country without consular permission, and to require them to annually register at consulates.
The new government authorised him to assist political prisoners in returning home, providing funds for their passage if necessary.
[5] Shortly before the October Revolution, Abaza travelled to Brisbane to monitor Russian radicals suspected of disseminating anti-war propaganda; he coordinated the visit with Australian military intelligence.
[2] On 24 December 1917, he wrote to Prime Minister Billy Hughes dissociating himself from the new regime, stating that he represented "those of my people who are absolutely faithful to the Allies" and would resign if Russia made peace with Germany.