NO RAPID VICTORY POSSIBLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 76, 11 January 1936, Page 5

NO RAPID VICTORY POSSIBLE.

ANXIOUS FOR A COMPROMISE. FRENCH SEE THREE COURSES. ANOTHER, PEACE PLAN EXPECTED (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) 'LONDON, January 10. The Paris correspondent of the "News-Chronicle" learns on the highest authority that M. Laval has been informed that Signor Mussolini's expectations of presenting the League of Nations with a accomplished fact of rapid spectacular victory have vanished. He now realises that he made two mistakes: Firstly, his refusal to accept the Hoare-Laval plan; secondly, .rejection of the advice of the Italian General Staff, which advised that the effort to obtain spectacular effects meant gigantio forces which would, however, paralyse vital rapidity of movement.

The French Foreign Office believes there are three possibilities: (1) Bignor Mussolini will withdraw the forces from Abyssinia, simultaneously issuing a flaming manifesto to the Italian people proclaiming that a hostile world thwarted Italy's justifiable efforts, thds confronting Europe with a hostile, embittered Italy whose plans for revenge would be a continuous source of danger. (2) Signor Mussolini will obstinately stay in Abyssinia, which would possibly result in a "palace" revolution, though the Quai d'Orsay (French Foreign Office) does not believe there is a possibility of a collapse of the Fascist regime. (3) Signor Mussolini will accept a face-saving peace plan, which M. Laval is infgormed the Duce is ready to do. M. Laval's information is that Signor Mussolini is so anxious to clutch at a chance of compromise that he will not withdraw from the League under any circumstances. M. Laval is expected to urge Mr R. A Eden to agree to a peace plan, presented at Geneva through the minor Powers in order to avoid European complications.