AT GENEVA

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

AT GENEVA

LOYALTY TO THE LEAGUE. BRITAIN’S POLICY UNCHANGED. HONOURABLE SETTLEMENT SOUGHT. (United Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, October 30. In .the course.of an election speech in his constituency to-day, Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) said: “I am going to Geneva to be there while very important discussions are taking place on the application of sanctions. I want to take the opportunity that is always offered by these important meetings of the League t'i have a talk with M. Laval and some other prominent Ministers of member States. What could be more natural and simple? As to the alleged change of policy, let them get that out of their heads once and for all.”

There had been, and would be, no change of policy which had always been perfectly simple, namely, loyalty to the League and readiness to help with any honourable settlement of the dispute that is acceptable to the three parties concerned;—the League, Italy and Ethiopia. That was the policy he would support at Geneva. Referring to the exchanges which have taken place with a view to finding a basis of settlement,. Sir Samuel Hoare said: “An attempt is being made to give the impression that we are trying jto side-track the League and do a disreputable deal with Italy behind its back. I have already said there is nothing to conceal about what has been happening. It is common property that several Governments have recently been considering the possibilities of a peaceful and that the British and French Governments in particular have been exchanging views as to what might form the basis of future negotiations. For the time being we are engaged in an exchange of views. Nothing has yet emerged, and if anything definite does emerge we shall, of course, take the earliest opportunity to report to the League. If eventually settlement is proved possible, that settlement would —as I have stated over and oyer again be within the framework of the League and have to be satisfactory to the League, Italy and Abyssinia That is the whole story.”—British Official Wireless.

TRADING IN AMERICA. PRESIDENT WISHES CESSATION PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED WASHINGTON, October 30. The administration went a step iurther in passive efforts to stop the wai between Italy and Abyssinia aitew several conferences at the V Into House during the last 24 hours. Mr Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) each issued a statement which was tantamount to declaring for the cessation of all American trade with Italy. The President s pronouncement, he declared carried into effect the “will and intent of the recent neutrality legislation. He reiterated the Government s determination not to .become involved in the controversy, but added, “However m the course of the war, tempting trade opportunities may be offered to our people for the supply of materials which will prolong the war. Ido not believe that the American people will wish for the abnormally increased profits that might be secured temporarily by greatly extending our trade in such materials, nor would they wish that the struggles on the battlefield should be prolonged because of the profits accruing to a comparatively small number of American citizens. Accordingly, the American Government is being, ldept informed about all shipments that are consigned for •export to both belligerents.” Mr Hull’s statement referred to the President’s proclamation which was designed to discourage commercial dealings with the belligerents, and urged that it be honoured. Ho added: “i again repeat that an early peace, with the restoration of normal business, is far sounder than and far preferable to temporary and risky war profits.” „ , . f With an almost profound tear or being involved in any European quarrel, American sentiment is nevertheless being played upon by. very strong forces of feeling concerning the obvious injustices being practised in “making war an instrument of national policy.” The man in the street would willingly make some sacrifice, short of being involved ill war, in order to help Ethiopia. Western sentiment is strongly behind Mr Roosevelt’s statement that the United States must assume the strictest neutrality in order to avoid being involved in the. controversy. Business in the East, however, strongly objects to neutrality, which makes it impossible to trade with Italy or to take advantage of the business opportunities that Italy’s expedition to Abyssinia offers, and has attacked Mr Roosevelt’s policy.

ABYSSINIA MINISTER. APPOINTMENT TO GENEVA. PARIS, Oct. 30. Wolde Mariam lias been appointed Abyssinian Minister to Geneva. Mariam Aycleu has been appointed Abyssinian representative on the League in succession to Tecla flawariat.