SPEEDY COMPROMISE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 100, 8 February 1936, Page 5

SPEEDY COMPROMISE

NECESSITY URGED IN ITALY. SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL GENERAL DE BONO'S ADVOCACY. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) ROME, February 7. Signor Mussolini, sending troops back to the Brenner Pass, in the Central Tyrol Alps, officially gave the reason as “maintenance of the European situation, and retention of European friendships.” Certain members of the Fascist Grand Council, especially General do Bono, are reported to he urging the necessity of a speedy compromise in respect to Abyssinia.

INTERVENTION BY THE POPE. NEW BASIS FOR NEGOTIATION. REPORT CIRCULATED IN PARTS. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 7. Reports are being circulated in Paris that the Pope has again intervened to bring about peace. The “L’Oeuvre,” detailing a new compromise scheme says that the Vatican is appealing to Paris and London to bring about acceptance of a basis of negotiation. It is understood that the latest scheme contemplates neutralisation of Abyssinia with an international, not an Italian, police force. There is no provision for an Italian colonisation zone, hut the Emperor is to permit Europeans to settle in the country.

RAINS DELAY ITALIANS. ABYSSINIAN TROOPS RUSHED UP. ADDIS ABABA, February G. The Abyssinians, fulfilling their determination to send two soldiers to the front for every . Italian shipped to Africa, are rushing troops to Ogaderi to stem the Italian drive, which has been.temporarily halted by the rain. It is claimed that a camel corps ambushed Italians and inflicted heavy casualties near Negelli. Ras -Desta’s followers, hiding in the daytime in well-provisioned caves, sally out qt night to harass the Italians’ lengthy communications, the vulnerability of which is causing anxiety.'

ITALIANS DISCREDIT CLAIM. ROME, February G. It is emphasised in comment on the Abyssinian claim to have encircled Makale* that Marshal Badoglio visited the city and was received by Ras Gougsa, local officials, and the Coptic clergy. WIVES OF MISSIONARIES. ADDIS ABABA, February 6. The New Zealand missionaries, Messrs Roke and Mitchell, are escorting their wives to Addis Ababa, after leaving their stations at Sidamo. Afterwards the men will return to their duties. ITALIAN DISTORTIONS. BRITAIN QUOTES AN EXAMPLE. GENEVA, February 7. The British Note to the League, protesting. against the Italian allegation that the Abyssinian* are using dum dum bullets supplied by British firms states that the Italian newspaper “Messagero” quoted on January 20, a coded telegram from Addis Ababa, addressed to the Ethiopian agent in England, allegedly ordering “10,000,000 cartridges for rifles and light and heavy machineguns, with pointed bullets, half of which were to be clipped.” The text of the message really read : “Half of which in clips of five.” The Note adds that such distortions speak for themselves.

ITALY’S HOME DEFENCE. REORGANISATION OF FORCES PREDICTED. ROME, February 6. Signor Mussolini addressed 92 generals occupying Italian commands. This is interpreted as portending the reorganisation of the home forces. Later, lie presided at a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council, when various measures for tightening up the restriction of imports and preventing the sale of luxuries were introduced.