OIL SANCTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 80, 16 January 1936, Page 5

OIL SANCTIONS

DESIRE FOR ABANDONMENT. BRITAIN'S REPORTED ATTITUDE. THE OPINION AT GENEVA. ■ i r (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 15. The "News-Chronicle" has received from Mr Vernon Bartlett (its correspondent at Geneva) a message in which he says that League circles, though anxious for peace, consider that the League and Italian viewpoints are still so irreconcilable that negotiations at present merely postpone stricter enforcement of sanctions. There is a widespread belief that Britain is anxious to abandon the oil embargo. The Rome correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says that the Italians have not decided to send a delegation to Geneva as they consider the meeting of the League Committee of Eighteen of slight importance and unlikely to make final decisions. The Paris correspondent of the "Mail" supports the general belief that oil sanctions will be shelved. RAS DESTA DRIVEN BACK. THREAT TO SOMALILAND ENDED. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) ROME, January 15. Marshal Badoglio in a communique says that General Graziani since Sunday has been driving back Ras Desta's southern forces between the rivers Dorya and Dawa, thus relieving the threat to the Bomaliland front based on Dolo. Action is continuing on the whole front. The Italian losses are not senDUS. It is expected that the Italians will now press between the Webbesheheli and Fafan rivers toward Jijiga and Harrar.

FULLEST CO-OPERATION. FRENCH SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN. NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES. LONDON, Jan. 15. The Paris correspondent of "The Times," pointing out that reports are current that only limited French support will be available in the event of an Italian attack on Britain, emphasises that, on the contrary the French Government has given Britain assurances of the fullest co-operation. The idea that the French fleet would be incapable of immediate intervention arises from a misunderstanding of the position. It is true that mobilisation would be necessary for the manning of coastal, anti-aircraft, and other essential defences, but the ships themselves would not stand idly by. Every possible preparation for an emergency- has been completed, and the British Admiralty is fully aware of. what would be the French dispositions in such an emergency. Military conversations have admittedly made less progress, but already the French army's mobilisation plans are known to the British General Staff, apart from questions of detail. Therefore it can be said, first that a pledge has been given ; second, that there is no reason to doubt its fulfilment; and finally, that once committed to such measures, neither Fiance nor any other country is likely to fight with one hand tied behind.its back.

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS. SUPPRESSION OF SLAVERY. SELASSIE'S ACTIVITIES.. LONDON, January 14. The "Daily Telegraph's" Addis Ababa correspondent says that the Emperor Haile Selassie, taking advantage of war conditions, has instituted farreaching administrative reforms, including suppression of slavery. Dealers are being arrested and exhibited in chains after conviction, and, their vie j tims liberated. Maji Province, which has hitherto been a black spot in this respect, is now a model district, the departure for the front of slave-own-ing chiefs and soldiers clearing the way for reforms under the young Governor, Zawde Ayelu, whose British adviser (Colonel D. A. Sandford) was appointed in September.

FUNDS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

ITALIANS FORWARD ORNAMENTS

(Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, January 15. The Italian community has transmitted £2OOO worth of gold ornaments, besides 80 wedding rings, to Signor Mussolini. All young Italians have volunteered. DENIED AS "FANTASTIC." MONARCH AS INTERVENER. LONDON, January 14. The report which gained currency yesterday that the Belgian Royal family and Belgian Government had intervened in an effort to effect a

settlement of the Abyssinian war is described in an official denial issued in Brussels as fantastic. The denial recalls that the League Council's decision of December 19, declaring that the work of drawing up any proposals for settlement of the dispute is a matter for the Committee of Thirteen, on which, in fact, Belgium is not represented. The denial adds that Belgium will continue the line of conduct delined in public declarations made on her behalf.—British Official Wireless.