PEACE DISCUSSIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 5

PEACE DISCUSSIONS

THE POPE’S INTERVENTION. HONEST SETTLEMENT URGED. SEA OUTLET FOR ABYSSINIA. (United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, October- 31. Count Ferdinand Rrinon, in an article in “L’lnformation,” declares that the peace discussions are partly due to the Pope’s initiative. The Pope had a long conversation with Signor Mussolini and urged an honest settlement to include a maritime outlet for Abyssinia. The Pope subsequently instructed the diplomatic representatives to urge the interest of their Governments to hasten negotiations. M. Laval yesterday conferred with the Papal Nuncio. SEEKING A WAY TO PEACE. LAVAL EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE. ROME NOT SO HOPEFUL. LONDON, October 31. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says: “Write what you like regarding the negotiations which are being pursued. I remain indifferent,” M. Laval told reporters last night, speaking of the attempts to reach a settlement of the war. “All I can say is 'that I am fully confident we will succeed.” The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says that a Government spokesman admitted that Signor Mussolini and Sir Erie Drummond (British Ambassador) had an important conversation, but no precise peace plan had emerged. The present problem was to improve relations between England and Italy and eliminate the causes of friction. . He added that if France and Britain had proposals to make, they would be carefully considered if presented to the Italian delegation at Geneva. Italy, however, did not anticipate any immediate settlement because of the various parties which must be considered and satisfied. Sir Samuel Home and M. Layal are expected! at Geneva on Friday, and it is generally anticipated that a statement will be made at some stage of the meetings about the recent diplomatic exchanges. , In London it is regarded as unlikely, in the light of the progress so far achieved, that there will be anything to report beyond an account of the endeavours which have been made, and a re-statement of tlie essentiol principles, which are that any proposals tor a settlement must be acceptable to the League, Italy, and Abyssinia.

* ITALIAN BITTERNESS.

BRITAIN AS CHIEF OFFENDER. LONDON, October 31. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says France and Belgium are bitterly attacked foi having “obeyed Britain’s orders ’ m imposing sanctions. The newspapers publish French cartoons of 1915 reflecting the joy of the Allies at Italy's intervention m the war. , “The Belgians, English, French, and many others who trembled in 1914 and 1915 may be sure of one thing,” says the newspaper “Ottobi-e.” “If they have already forgotten those years, Fascist Italv will never forget the year 1935.” NO EMBARGO ON ARMS. AUSTRIAN REPORT DENIED. LONDON, October 31. The Vienna correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says it is officially denied that Austria has placed an embargo on the export of arms to Italy and Abyssinia. CAMELS FROM SUDAN. IN EVENT OF RAILWAY CUT. LONDON, October 30. Apropos of a report that 5000 camels are being brought from the S'udan by Abyssinians, Major-General A. C. Temper ley (military correspondent of the “Daiiy Telegraph”) considers these were mobilised to replace railway transport if the railway is destroyed. TWO BRITISH OFFICERS. APPOINTMENTS IN ABYSSINIA. ADDIS ABABA, pet. 30. Britain has appointed Major Hold and Captain Taylor military assistant and military attache respectively. This is her first such representation.