TO BE REVIVED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 271, 29 August 1935, Page 5

TO BE REVIVED

POWERS’ PROPOSALS

A FAIR OFFER MADE TO ITALY.

EQUAL TO GAINS BY CONQUEST.

SUBMISSION TO THE COUNCIL.

BEFORE DISCUSSING SANCTION'S

(United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m-) LONDON, August 28. The rains are ceasing in Abyssinia, removing an obstacle to Signor Mussolini’s designs. . .... The momentous meeting or the Italian Cabinet at Bolzano, the Pope s forcible declaration against war, and France’s strong delegation to Geneva are outstanding features of the day s news, but no less significant is the indication, from an informed quarter, ot the Anglo-French policy at Geneva.. It is learned that the Anglo-French proposals, which were rejected by Italy during the recent three-Power conversations in Paris, -will be laid before the League Council. Botli Governments still think the proposals are worthy of better treatment than they received. British circles believe they will convince most members of the Council that a, fair offer giving Italy almost everything she could possibly get by conquest has been made. The offer will he revived before broaching the question of sanctions.

RAID ON ETHIOPIAN STOCK.

FROM FRENCH TERRITORY.

SIXTY KILLED IN SKIRMISH. (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) • LONDON, August 28. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” states that the Governor of Aussa reported that raiders from French Issa entered his territory for the purpose of stealing cattle and sheep. A skirmish followed, in which 60 Issa persons were killed. The Ethiopian casualties were not reported.

THE DUOE’S POLICY ENDORSED

FASCIST CABINET’S APPROVAL. (Received This Day, 1.40 p.m.) ROME, August 28. A message from Bolzano states that the meeting of the Fascist Cabinet, which lasted 45 minutes, approved of a long document, believed to be concerned with Italy’s intentions regarding Abyssinia, and the international situation. It is understood that the Duce informed t.he Cabinet that Italy was ready, militarially, financially and morally, for any eventuality either in Africa or elsewhere. He explained that Italy had tried every means to obtain a peaceful settlement with Abyssinia, whose acts of aggression raised the question whether she' was fit' to be a member of the League of It is understood that Cabinet approved the Dude’s foreign policy as outlined in recent interviews.

CONQUEST WOULD BE UNJUST.

THE POPE’S VIEW OF WAR. (Received This Ray, 11.35 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, August 28. The Pope directly alluded to the Italo-Abyssinian crisis when addressing an international pilgrimage of nurses. He invoked the Almighty to help those working to settle the question without bloodshed. His Holiness said that everything must be tried to avoid war. All international difficulties must find a peaceful solution. “Abroad we see they speak of war and conquest. Such a war would be plainly unjust and unbelievably sad and horrible,” continued the Pope. “In Italy they say it will be a worthy war because it is a war of defence in order to ensure our frontiers against continual dangers, that war is necessary for expansion of the population, which.is increasing daily, that it will be a war to defend and ensure imperial progress. However true that may be, if there exist these necessities we can only hope a solution can be arrived at without war. Truly it is not easy to say how, but we do not believe it is impossible.”

LICENSE FOR WAR SOUGHT.

MUSSOLINI’S PLAN FOR LEAGUE.

EXPULSION OF ETHIOPIA URGED

LONDON, August 28

The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says : “Signor V. Gerutti, the Italian Ambassador, during his conversation with M. Laval (French Premier) confirmed Signor Mussolini’s intention of proposing that Abyssinia should be expelled from the League of Nations. He promised that documents in support of the proposal would be communicated to the French Government in a few days. Signor Mussolini, he said, would insist on settlement by

the Council, without reference to the Assembly. No indication of the official attitude toward Signor Mussolini’s latest move is yet available, but the idea is fervidly welcomed by a section of the French press as affording an avenue of escape from the present dilemma. The mere possibility that Signor Mussolini may be prepared to continue to use the League’s machinery is held to offer an inestimable respite, while Britain is reminded that by laying the case before the. Council, Signor Mussolini will remove the real issues which have so far divided British aiul Italian opinion. . . , From this starting point it is argued that if the justice of the Italian cause it admitted the League might even grant an Italian mandate over Abyssinia, which would! be made effective bv what one French newspaper calls “somewhat severe police operations. Other euphemisms for authorised war are suggested, all of them based an the assumption that British objections to the absorption of Abyssinia can now be removed or averted. Meanwhile the French Press make a strong almost desperate appeal to Signor’ Mussolini to refrain from attacking in defymee of all his engagements. , The Rome correspondent ot tne “Daily Mail” says Signor Mussolini will send a Veritable library to the League Council to prove Italy’s case against Abyssinia. This will include 'Lady Simon’s book, “Slavery,” and numerous British White Papers, in addition to photographs and other documents bearing on every phase.of Abyssinian life. .. , The documentation will be divided into several sections, including allegations of Abyssinia’s non-observance ot her international obligations, slavery, barbarous oppression of black peop.es under Abyssinian rule, complete litck of justice, and the extremely low level of civilisation even among the most progressive section of the population.

“Slavery,” by Lady Simon, wife of Sir John Simon, deals with slavery as it existed in 1929, when she wrote the book.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DEFENCE.

ETHIOPIANS IN BRITAIN

(Received This Day, 1.50 P- m -) LONDON, August 28,

Officials of the Ethiopian Legation in London state that people are sending contributions toward the defence o their country, ranging from a shilling postal-order to' a cheque for £5. A fund is being formed and the money will lie sent to the Emperor with a note explaining the circumstances.

BRITISH ADVISED TO LEAVE

INSTRUCTIONS TO MINISTER. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, August 28. A Djibouti message states that all British subjects in Abyssinia have received instructions to leave within tour days. . . ... A Whitehall official states that the British Minister at Addis Ababa, was recently authorised to advise British citizens to depart at their discretion. “But we cannot understand four days limit,” added the official. CONTINUOUS STREAM OF TROOPS LONDON, August 28. The Rome correspondent of “The 'Fimes” says departures of troops foi East Africa are now almost continuous.

RESPECT FOR BRITISH RIGHTS

PROMISE BY ’MUSSOLINI

LONDON, August 28

Mr G. Ward Price, in a cable message to the “Daily Mail ’ from Bolzano, says:— “Signor Mussolini informed me that the 'Government, after the meeting of the Cabinet, would declare its complete readiness to respect all the rights of the British Empire, thus disposing of any suggestion that Italy’s plans are prejudicial to British interests. “The dominant, impression made by the manoeuvres to-day was the worship of Signor Mussolini by soldiers <»ncl. citizens. The eyes of the troops shone as they marched past or when the Duce addressed them. The villagers cheered him frantically.” CALL FOR TRUCE OF GOD. ARCHBISHOP CONSIDERS THE PROPOSAL.

LONDON. August 28

The Archbishop of Canterbuiy itho Most Rev. Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang), in a letter to “’Hie Times” referring to the proposal made by Mr George Lausbury that the Churches should join in calling for a truce of God, says he- is considering how far it might he achieved.

In the meantime he advises Christians to boar witness to the spiritual power which alone can establish peace, and share in establishing international justice and order. In reply to the Abyssinian appeal, tbo Archbishop and the Moderator of the Federation of Evangelical! Free Churches, have issued a joint call for prayer. They recall' the fateful meeting o! the League Council on September 4, and declare that tin* grave issues with which it has to deal concern not only the possibility oT war between Italy and Abyssinia, with all the consequences which might follow fiom it,

but also the continuance ol the League itself as an effective instrument of international peace and order, and as the. alternative to international anarchy. They ask that, on Sunday next, prayers be offered in, all churches throughout s the country, that the “spirit oi God may give wisdom and courage to the members of the Council, so that by their action, even now, war may he averted, and 1 that in any event the cause of justice and respect for treaties may ho vindicated.”

DAY OF PRAYER IN DOMINION.

NEXT SUNDAY APPOINTED

WELLINGTON, This Day

At the request of the bishops, who are assembled here in connection with the annual conference of organisation of the Church, Archbishop Averill has appointed next Sunday as a day of special prayer for peace in connection with the Archbishop' of Canterbury's call for prayer in respect to the ItaloAbyssinian dispute.