DENUNCIATION OF BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 242, 26 July 1935, Page 5

DENUNCIATION OF BRITAIN.

APPLAUDED AT BIG GATHERING.

“AXE RENDING UNION JACK.”

(Received This Day, 1.25 p.m.) -ROME, July 25,

A Fascist axe rertding a Union Jack was depicted on one of 1 the banners carried at a meeting of 100,000 people. Tremendous applause greeted denunciations of Britain and Japan. Hisses were heard whenever they were mentioned.

Extra guards have been placed at the Japanese Embassy.

ITALIAN PRESS ANGLOPHOBIA.

“INSATIABLE LU ( ST FOR GAIN.”

TURIN, July 25

The newspaper “Stampa” says: “The first Italian shot with a British bullet will die cursing Britain’s insatiable lust for gain, but Italy will be avenged. Her young men are burning with war fever.” Many Italians believe that Britain herself wants Abyssinia. Anti-British posters are becoming plentiful.

THE APPEAL TO THE LEAGUE.

BEADY TO' MAKE CONCESSIONS

LONDON, July 25. The meeting of the Council of the League of Nations to discuss the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia is expected to be held next Wednesday. The political correspondent of “The Times” says that the British Government attaches the greatest importance to the council’s agenda. It is - felt that the increasingly serious turn of the dispute and the Abyssinian Government’s appeal to the league involve an extension of the: discussion to the whole field of relations between the countries. The Abyssinian appeal, it is pointed out, could equally well be discussed under either article XI. or XV. of the Covenant. Article XL empowers the League to take action against war, on a threat of war, while article XV. prescribes the procedure to be followed where a dispute between two members of the league us likely to lead to a rupture. The British Government hopes that this procedure will be followed, and also that Italy, besides 'being represented at the meeting, will fully state her claims and grievances against Abyssinia.

A special correspondent of “The Times” at Addis Ababa says that the Abyssinian Government is still prepared to contribute to a constructive solution by territorial concessions in exchange for land or even for financial assistance. She is also ready to discuss a railway project west of Addis Ababa, but is determined not to allow a military zone or even a neutral zone to be granted'. Economic coiiftessions could also be discussed, but only

provided they did not give Italy any form of political control. This will be resisted to the end. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says the Cabinet has decided on a cautious policy. Consequently, Mr R. A. Eden (Minister for League Affairs' will go to Geneva at the week-end almost with a. free hand. He has been instructed to do his best to find an eleventh hour agreement—which is regarded as almost impossible—and afterwards to rise his discretion in each stage of the league’s proceedings. He will be empowered as a last resort to state that Britain will adhere to her covenanted obligations if other signatories agree to do the same. The Government has abandoned hope of a conference between England, Italy, and France under the 1906 treaty. France agrees with the British attitude.