ABYSSINIAN CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 245, 30 July 1935, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS

COMPROMISE EXPECTED. ATTITUDE OF MUSSOLINI. NO DESIRE TO LEAVE LEAGUE. United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) ROME, July 29. Count Alois! will head the Italian delegation to the League of Nations to-morrow. Signor Guarnaschell (an expert on African Affairs), Professor Lessona, Count Pietromarchi, and Signors Cortese and Bernardi will leave Rome to-night.

Signor Mussolini does not desire to leave the League and a compromise is expected.

ANTI-ITALIAN FEELING.

HINDUS AND INDIAN MOSLEMS

(Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 29

The Calcutta correspondent of “The Times” says that a mammoth gathering of Hindus and Moslems condemned the Italian attitude toward Abyssinia. ,

The meeting regretted inability of the Imperialist powers to keep peace. The harshness of Fascist references to blacks as barbarians accentuated the anti-Italian feeling.

PREPARING FOR WAR.

EMPEROR’S FEVERISH EFFORTS.

EUROPEAN DRILL SERGEANTS

LONDON, July 28

The Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Daily Express” says: “Never has a monarch so fervently desiring peace worked so feverishly as Haiti Selassie to transform into a modern army a 12th century race, varying from feudal barons to ignorant serfs. Every courtyard is a parade ground on which European drill sergeants, and khaki-clad Abyssinian officers handle ragged recruits. Even boys and women are busy sharpening every spear. Apart from other equipment more or less unreliable, Abyssinia is estimated to possess only enough rifle ammunition to give each soldier four rounds apiece, and ambulance supplies are pathetic. Dr. Hackman (head of the American Mission Hospital) declared that it would be atrocious to allow tlie army to take the field without first-aid equipment. The wounded would be eaten by hyenas, leopards and vultures. The Emperor has accepted the Mission’s services in the event of war, and Abyssinians have begun first-aid training. A recruiting office is to he opened in London under - an English surgeon, Dr. John Melly, for nursing volunteers who are prepared to go to Abyssinia. Dr. Melly says he is actuated only by humanitariauism. He is not hostile to the Italians, and will work under the Red Cross. Applications from men and women are already numerous. WILLINGNESS TO ARBITRATE. ABYSSINIA NOTIFIES LEAGUE. GENEVA, July 28. Abyssinia has notified the League of Nations of its willingness to resume arbitration with Italy regarding the frontier dispute.

FRIENDLY JAPANESE.

LONDON, July 28

Japanese residents in Abyssinia, journalists, and trade investigators entertained leading Ethiopians and founded an Ethiopo-Nippanese Association. Business deals were opened. Rosettes of rising sun and the Ethiopian colours were distributed 1 to the guests.

MORE OPTIMISTIC FEELING.

ABYSSINIAN NOTE TO LEAGUE.

GENEVA, July 28

An Abyssinian Note, which is virtually a reply to the Italian Note, states that Abyssinia, is willing to resxime arbitration on the frontier dispute. It has created a more optimistic feeling. Although it maintains the Abyssinian arguments regarding the limited scope of the Conciliation Commission, it leaves the League complete freedom of decision between the contentions of the rival groups of arbitrators.

EMPEROR’S HOPE FOR PEACE.

BRITISH SUPPORT APPRECIATED

LONDON, July 28

The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says the Emperor, though feeling that delays at Geneva may unduly defer the removal of the arms embargo, expressed satisfaction at having British support for his efforts to secure a settlement, but he added

that in view of the belligerency of the Italians it would.be folly to delay preparations against attack. The Emperor pointed out that the embargo did not hamper the aggressor, which, unlike Abyssinia, had l ample facilities for the production of war materials. The Emperor would be most satisfied by the effective application of the article of the Covenant binding both parties to peace for three months.

ITALIAN STOCKS FALLING.

ECONOMIC FACTOR, FOR PEACE.

LONDON, July 28

The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says the economic aspect of the Italian venture in Abyssinia is leading to the belief that Signor Mussolini’s warlike designs may be checked. Italian stocks are falling rapidly, and French financial houses have been sounded from Rome on the possibility of issuing special bonds amounting to between 2,000,000,000 and 4,000,000,000 francs for French participation in Italian industry.