Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1935. A GREAT DECISION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 297, 28 September 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1935. A GREAT DECISION.

“One of the greatest decisions in history/’ is the description rightly applied to the League Council’s action in invoking Article XV. of the Covenant in connection with the Italo-Abys-sinian dispute. In effect the invocation means that Italy is debarred from hostilities against Abyssinia until the expiry of three months, under penalty of becoming an outlaw among nations. With all his bombastic attitude and militant actions Signor Mussolini will surely avoid a step that would antagonise the world, not only members of the League which he would flout but also all other nations which must realise that in this matter the League is to blame for nothing but an excess of patience. In the meantime, much can be done in the way of conciliation and the feelings that have run high will have time to cool off. While the final report and recommendations have yet to be prepared, the efforts to effect a settlement have culminated in a scheme making great concessions to Italy but still denying the Italian claim to a right to subjugate Abyssinia. This is the head and front of its offending in Mussolini’s view. Opinion within the League and beyond it has steadily hardened against the attitude of Italy: e\en France has reached the limit of toleration. Consequently Signor Mussolini must either accept the decision and desist from his purpose or else, as “The Times” expresses the alternative course, launch Italy upon his adventure and turn his back upon his obligations and upon the dissent and disapproval of the civilised world. In the latter event the duty of the League is clear. It may be reasonably said that sanctions are out of place except in regional pacts such as Locarno, where there are intimately shared interests and dangers; but the League must be worked as it is, not as it might have been. Signor Mussolini has challenged its clear duty to thwart his extravagant purpose, and it is better that this duty should be done at all costs than that he should ruthlessly proceed as a bully unchecked. It should be made quite plain to Mussolini that, acting on the report of the Committee of Five, the Council will not hesitate to impose sanctions should he “go ahead” as he has threatened. Firm decisive action now may avert what would be a world disaster.