ABYSSINIA CRISIS

Evening Post, Issue 47, 23 August 1935, Page 9

ABYSSINIA CRISIS

CABINET DECISIONS

WILL UPHOLD OBLIGATIONS

ARMS LICENCES STILL TO BE

WITHHELD

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received August 23, 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY, August 22. , Two long sessions of the full Cabinet were held at No. 10 Downing Street today, when, after a detailed account of the Paris conversations by Mr. Anthony Eden, the Ministers considered at length many questions connected with the Ilalo-Abyssinian controversy.

It was recalled that at the end of the T/hree-Power meeting in Paris it was announced that it was the intention of the British and French Governments to maintain the closest touch-and co-operation and to continue, right up to' the meeting of the League of Nations Council on September 4, the joint efforts to explore with the Italian Government, through diplomatic channels, the possibility of finding a peaceful settlement of the dispute with Abyssinia. This was fully endorsed by Cabinet today, ■when a strong desire to maintain the closest Anglo-French co-operation in dealing with the difficult situation was manifest. OBLIGATIONS TO LEAGUE. . It is understood that as a result of the discussions the Ministers saw' no reason to depart from the policy repeatedly announced in recent weeks when the attitude of the Government towards the League of Nations and the Covenant has been defined. In this connection it is recalled that the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking in the House of Commons on August 1 on the Italo-Abyssinian question, said: "I do not think there can be any doubt, after the speeches of the Prime Minister, and particularly the answer'he gave to a question in the House, that we are fully conscious of our obligations under our treaties and under the Covenant, and that we. certainly intend to uphold them." Cabinet decided to make no change in the decision taken in July temporarily to withhold licences for the export of arms to both parties to the dispute. This, however, docs not necessarily mean that the restriction will be maintained until September 4. The question has been, and will be, under constant consideration, and between now and the meeting of the Council it may or may not be decided to permit export to both parties as circumstances dictate, but for the time being no change is being made. NO FURTHER MEETING. Further developments in the situation are not expected for some days, and.no arrangements have been made for calling another Cabinet meeting. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, will be in close touch with his officials, and. he and certain other Ministers who will be in London or j within reach will be available to meet, if necessary, at any moment to consider any points upon which decision may. be required. The Prime Minister is travelling,back to Aix-les-Bains to resume his interrupted holiday, and most of the other Ministers are also reluming to holidays from which they were called. These arrangements would indicate that Ministers see no reason to suppose that the discussions at the Council meeting on September .4 and the Assembly on September 9 will not proceed on the lines already foreseen. ARBITRATION AT GENEVA. A Geneva Press message states that the Italian members of the Arbitration Commission which is inquiring into the Walwal incident arrived in Berne today, and that the Abyssinian members are expected tonight. The Commission will meet in the Belle Vue Palace.