BLACK OUTLOOK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 295, 26 September 1935, Page 7

BLACK OUTLOOK

ABYSSINIAN VIEW OF CRISIS.

WAR NOW INEVITABLE

WILL NOT FIRE FIRST SHOT. DEFENCES OF THE RAILWAY. ROADS TO HARRAR. CLOSED. (United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.ni.) ADDIS ABABA, September 25. Abyssinia is convinced that war is inevitable, though she is determined not to fire the first shot. She has requested the League to dispatch immediately by air the suggested) international commission to determine which side commences the threatened hostilities.

The Emperor has offered to meet the expenses of the commissioners, and promises them full co-operation. Simultaneously with the mobilisation, Abyssinians, directed by foreign engineers, are feverishly constructing the defences of the Djibouti railway and are fortifying mountain approaches to the line, in order to prevent a successful! junction of Italian forces attacking “ from the north and south * frontiers. The loads to Harrar have been closed. Even the British Consul has been refused pjassage. Troops are moving to Ogaden. in modern motorlorries.

REFORMS IN ABYSSINIA. THE BRlfljSH POINT OF VIEW. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) GENEVA, September 25. The Associated Press says that Mr Eden and M. Laval conferred in reference to the procedure to-morrow. Now that Baron Aloisi’s observations are fully known there is no reason for the Council to take a further intermediary step before considering tho dispute under article 15. British quarters contend that the recommendations for the supervision of arms and) the suppression of slavery fully took into account Italy’s complaints against Abyssinia. Nothing has shaken the British view that whatever the defects are in Ethiopia, reforms should not be forced by one neighbouring Power.

ABYSSINIAN MOVEMENTS.

PURELY DEFENSIVE MEASURES.

NOTIFICATION TO THE LEAGUE

(Received This Day, 9.50 ADDIS ABABA, September 20. , The Government cabled to the League of Nations giving movements of 500,000 Abyssinian troops, which it declares have been sent to the fi ontiers lor purely defensive measures. The Emperor is also the League to send a. committee to 'Ahyssinia to act as witnesses of the hostilities. He is offering to pay the expense of flying them from Europe.

ABYSSINIANS MOBILISE.

OVER A MILLION UNDER ARMS.

100,000 CALLED UPON JN CAPITAL LONDON, September 25. In an urgent cablegram, the special correspondent of the Sun-Herald News Service in Addis Ababa says that general mobilisation, was enforced by the Emperor to-day. This move has been held up by his European advisers for some time, as it was feared that it might prejudice Abyssinia’s case at Geneva.

In Addis Ababa 100,000 men were called up immediately. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says that 1,083,000 Abyssinians are ready to begin fighting.

THE LEAGUE’S NEXT STEP.

DRAWIING UP A REPORT.

VIRTUALLY A JUDGMENT.

(Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 25,

The Associated Press special correspondent at Geneva says that the failure of the Committee of Five to find a basis for conciliation leaves the Council no recourse except to appoint a committee, probably consisting of every member of the Council, including Mr S. M. Bruce, and excepting Italy, to draw up a report which will virtually bo a judgment which may later form the basis for a decision to apply sanctions.

The utmost care in drafting will thus be necessary. It is vital to ensure unanimity, as if the Council does not carry the recommendations unanimously Italy will be free, at the expiration

of three months, to wage war legitimately. The Bureau of the League decided to consult the Assembly before deciding whether the Assembly should be adjourned, instead of dissolved, next Saturday.

COMMITTEE’S PLAN OUTLINED.

REFORMS IN ABYSSINIA

MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) » LONDON, Sept. 25. The report to the League Council by the Committee of Five states tha attempts to find a solution of the ItaloAbyssiryan problem so far have been o-uided by the obligation* of respecting the independence, territorial integrity, and security of all States by members of the League, and by the necessity of ensuring g,ood neighbourly relations between States and members of the League. . The Committee's suggestions for a basis of negotiation are revealed in the report, including a charter of assistance, to take the form of inviting acceptance by the Ethiopian Government of a plan of reform drawn up by the Council. Dealing with public services which require organisation the suggestion is made, in this plan—

That tho Commission’s foreign specialists be appointed to organise a corps of police and gendarmerie responsible for ensuring the application, throughout the Empire, of the existing order or future laiys. For the prohibition of all personal slavery. For the regulation of the carrying of arms by pejrsons not belonging to the regular army or to police. • For gendarmerie forces for policing centres in which Europeans reside, and maintaining order in frontier territories.

Reorganisation of the mixed courts, education and public health, with a principal adviser, placed at the head of each'group of public services, Ts suggested The Committee proposes that the plan should be revised at the. end of five years by the League Council. — British Official Wireless. .

SCARING THE ITALIANS.

MOVEMENTS OF BRITISH FLEET.

WAR MUST BE PREVENTED

(Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 25,

Speaking at Bristol, Mr Lloyd George said: “What most frightened the Italians was the movements of the British Fleet in the Maditerranean. That scared them, whereupon we immediately sent a . message to say wo did not mean to hurt them. France clearly does not intend using more than mild economic sanctions, hut Britain must, with the support of the rest of Europe, use force to cut off Italian communications and not permit the bombing of women and children. If we fail to prevent war, God help the human race.”

“DANGER TO THE EMPIRE.”

WAR FOLLOWING SANCTIONS

(Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 25,

The “Daily Mail” declares that war following the application of sanctions would seriously weaken the Empire, and produce such discontent in laige sections in the Dominions as would strengthen the separatist forces. Certain Dominions might hold aloof, and sever their connection with the League. The “Mail” contrasts with Mr Lyons’ assurance of co-operation, the view of Mr Forde and the New South Wales Labour Party. ,

ITALY WANTS MANDATE.

HOPE OF DIRECT NEGOTIATION. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) ROME, Sept. 25. The Government spokesman declared that Italy was firm and calm. She believed the world was slowly veering to the Italian viewpoint. , Newspapers stress the friendliness of Sir Samuel Hoare’s message, and hint that Italy may be granted a mandate by direct negotiations. BRITAIN AGAINST MANDATE.

(Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 25

The Geneva correspondent of “The Times” states on the highest authority that Britain is opposed to negotiation such as it hinted at by the Italian press.

ITALY’S CONTENTIONS.

CONDITIONS IN ABYSSINIA. COMPLAINT OF BARBARITY. GENEVA. September 25. The report of the Committee of Five confirms all the forecasts made regarding it, including, the Anglo-French willingness to make territorial concessions and recognition of Italy’s special economic interests in Ethiopia. The appendix gives details of Baron Aloisi’s observations, which are largely

a repetition of the former criticisms, that Abyssinian barbarity vitiates her League membership. Therefore the dispute could not be settled under the Covenant, which did not contemplate the case of countries unworthy and incapable of participation. Had some elasticity been allowed even on the lines of principles embodied in nia» dates, a solution would be brought nearer. The presence of foreign specialists and police gendarmerie had already raised tho efficiency °f the Ethiopian forces menacing neighbouring territories, particularly those of Italy, whose need to defend her colonies, and her mission in Africa, the Committee completely ignored. Baron Aloisi’s observations reaffirm the opposition to an Ethiopian outlet to the sea, which would make her a maritime power, thus hightening the threat towards Italy. He emphasises Abyssinia, s incapacity to respect international agreements and lier League obligations, Italy’s complaints about which had not been considered. Abyssinia should he placed in such a position so as not to injure her neighbours. The administration should he reformed in order to raise the country to a higher level of civilisation.

NO CHANGE IN DEMANDS.

ITALY MAY LEAVE THE LEAGUE.

SOME PESSIMISM IN FR ANCE.

LONDON, September 25

The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says that messages from Rome continue to emphasise the more conciliatory Italian attitude, but the general l French impression is that Signor Mussolini, while moderating his tone, has not changed his demands, and momentarily it. must be said that the pendulum of French opinion has swung to the deepest pessimism. Attention has returned to possible developments at Geneva along the lines of collective action in the event of a break between Italy and the League, which' is taken to he foreshadowed by the phrasing of the Italian Cabinet communique. The plea that France should refrain from anything at all likely to offend Italian .susceptibilities still finds siipporters, hut they are now more noisy than numerous. There is a greater disposition to face the possibility that France may have to honour her League pledge by joining in sanctions.

SOME FAVOURABLE FACTORS.

REPORT READY FOR COUNCIL.

SIR, SAMUEL HOARE’IS MESSAGE,

LONDON, September 24. Another stage in the efforts of the League of Nations to secure a settlement of the dispute between Italy ancl Abyssinia ended to-day, when the Conciliation Committee unanimously adopted the report prepared by Senor de Madariaga (chairman of the committee) for presentation to the Council. Difficult as the situation is, there are many who believe that definite progress has been made in recent weeks because of the firm hut conciliatoi j attitude of the Council and the loyal efforts of its chief members. Among the favourable factors noted are the close co-operation between the French and British representatives, and the fact that the attitude of the Governments which stood for the maintenance of the principles and the authority of the League is now being appreciated more clearly. Last night the British Ambassador to Rome (Sir Eric Drummond) was received by (Signor Mussolini, and lie delivered a message from Sir Samuel Hoare, which was intended, it is understood, to remove any misapprehension regarding the (relations between the two countries which might have survived the conversations between Signor Fulvio Suvich (Italian Under-Sec-retary for Foreign Affairs) last week, w'hen mutual explanations of the recent military and naval movements in the Mediterranean were exchanged. The message was received cordially by Signor Mussolini, who is believed to have now a much bettor understanding of the British attitude. A satisfactory settlement of the dispute for which the League Powers are working depends so much on the goodwill of all parties that any increase of mutual understanding, it is pointed out, is a valuable contribution to the endeavours which the League Council must renew' on Thursday. —British Official Wireless.

ISOLATION DEFEATED

AUSTRALIA AND SANCTIONS. LABOUR MOTION IN SENATE. CANBERRA, September 25. During the debate in the Senate on the Abyssinian situation. Senator J. S. Codings (Labour) submitted a proposal asking the Government to instruct its delegates to the League of Nations that the Commonwealth opposed any action, implied or committed, likely to involve Australia in war. Senator A. J. Me'Lachlan (the Post-master-General) described the doctrine of Australia's non-participation, as devilish. It was tantamount to saying that Australia should withdraw from the League and permit the Covenant to be treated as a scrap of paper, he declared.

The proposal was defeated on a strictly party vote.