ITALY AGREES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 243, 27 July 1935, Page 5

ITALY AGREES

TO ATTEND COUNCIL.

THE ABYSSINIAN CRISIS. AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) ROME, July 26. It is officially stated that Italy will attend the special meeting of the League of Nations Council. Banners carried at the demonstration yesterday included: “We do not care a curse for Geneva, ' England, or Japan.” , “To whom does Abyssinia belong?— To us.” “Nothing will stop us.” There w r ere also caricatures of the -- Emperor of Abyssinia. Most of them showed the Emperor alone, but some showed him with English and Japanese friends. The greatest applause- was reserved for a dummy figure of the Eimperor hanging by his trousers to Roman fasces. In a fiery speech, Signor Orazzi, chief of the Rome Fascist organisation, proclaimed' Italy’s intention to pursue her policy in spite of all opposition.

MEETING NEXT WEEK.

MR R. A. EDEN TO ATTEND

(Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, July 26.

It is announced! from Geneva that the president of the League of Nations council (M. Litvinoff) has convoked a special meeting Of the Council in connection with the Italo-Abyssin-ian dispute. The notice states thatthe meeting will be held either on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Mr R. A. Eden is expected to attend as the British representative.

MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN DIFFICULT

LACK OF. WATER! IN THE DESERT. NATIVE LEVIES NOT RELIABLE. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) PARIS, July 26. The Emperor, Haeli Silassie, interviewed by the Addis Ababa correspondent of the Paris newspaper “Soir,” emphasised the difficulties of a mountain, campaign by Italy, inasmuch as there is no water in the Gaden Desert and her troops would be bisected by Franco-British Somaliland. The fidelity of native troops filling the gaps "in the Italian ranks caused through sickness would he doubtful, when attacking men of their own race. In the event of war, the Abyssinian army would consist of seven corps operating in liaison, each with a definite objective.

THE ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN.

DOMINION SUPPORT EXPECTED.

SOUTH AFRICA MAY DIFFER

(Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 26.

The Dominions have been fuliy informed; of the developments in regard ffao -the Italo - Abyssinian dispute through the customary channels, and the High Commissioners have also seen Mr R. A. Eden, but it is understood that no views have thus far been expressed by the Dominions. It is anticipated at Whitehall that Australia, New Zealand and Canada will support Britain’s attitude at the meeting of the League Council, but South Africa’s policy may not coincide, in view of the increasing importance of her exports to Italy, also the lad of sympathy with coloured races.

round-table conference.

FRENCH HOPE OF ARRANGING

(Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 26.

A correspondent of the “Sun-Herald” service says that the French are hopeful of getting the Italians and Abyssinians to meet at a round-table conference, not necessarily at the League, in an attempt to reach a friendly settlement of the dispute, enabling the Italians to tell the Abyssinians precisely what they want, and leaving the League ultimately to ratify the agreement.

Britain does not share France’s optimism, believing that all aspects of the problem must be discussed at the meeting of the League Council next Thursday.

ANTIQUATED RIFLES.

ETHIOPIA’S LACK OF AMMU-

NITION

LONDON, July 26.

The special correspondent ol “Ihe Times” at Addis Ababa says that the Ethiopian arms and munitions are hopelessly inadequate for a campaign

of moderate length, and are incapable of achieving a quick victorious campaign. At most, Abyssinia cannot at present possess more than 30,000 modern rifles and automatic rifles, and 15,000,000 modern cartridges. The Ethiopians are mainly armed with antiquated Gras rifles of the period after the Franeo-Prussian war, with lead bullets. Nevertheless, a feeling of self-confidence exists which is unlikely to repeat the Ual Ual error of infantry trying to rout tanks. The Central Government is preaching guerilla warfare and night tactics.