DEEP ANXIETY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 123, 6 March 1936, Page 5

DEEP ANXIETY

FRENCH VIEW OF APPEAL. COST OF REJECTION BY ITALY. THREAT ISSUED BY MUSSOLINI. IN EVENT OF OIL SANCTION. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON', March 5. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says that the result of the appeal by the Committee of Thirteen to Italy and Abyssinia is awaited with deep anxiety, for it is realised that Italian rejection of M. Flandin’s proposal would leave Franco no alternative but to support the British lead in favour of an oil embargo. Even the bitterest critics of the British attitude admit few illusions remain about the cost of the choice which the Italian rejection would throw on France. Signor Mussolini has seen to that.

Signor Mussolini is believed to have specifically warned M. Flandin that if an oil embargo is imposed Italy may first withdraw from the League; second, refuse further participation in the Locarno Treaty; third, denounce the Italo-French military agreement and reman the French-Italian frontier on the former scale. M. Flanllin informed Mr Eden of Signor Mussolini’s intentions and drew his attention to the serious position created by the Italian refusal to regard the Locarno Treaty as binding. The question is whether Britain will he ready to continue her Locarno obligations. France believes that she will, but reassurances will doubtless be sought. , France is less seriously alarriied at a possible breakdown of the FrancoItalian military agreement, because even if Signor Mussolini should reinforce the alpine frontier it would make little or no difference to the French dispositions which, have never been reduced. As long as Europe is peaceful no great inconvenience would therefore he caused. Nevertheless, all this shows that the price of French support for the League will not be light, and explains the urgency of the final appeal the French press has now addressed to Signor Mussolini. In calculating the chances of a favourable Italian response, French opinion finds little encouragement in. Signor Mussolini’s recent speeches, revealing nothing of a conciliatory spirit, while his announcement of coming political conversations with Austria, and Hungary have a. threatening ring in French ears. .From a military point of view a cessation of hostilities would give the Abyssinians time to recover and reorganise. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says the Committee of Thirteen’s appeal will be examined by the Italian Cabinet on Saturday. It is learned that after the meeting of Cabinet “some sort of answer” will be returned, which may be taken as proof that tlie committee’s appeal is not viewed as an ultimatum. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a widespread impression that the league is trying to prevent Italy from exploiting fully her recent military successes, which are considered to have broken the back of Abyssinian resistance. The Geneva correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” believes that Signor Mussolini will tell M. Flandin that he is ready to negotiate for the termination of hostilities only on the undeistanding that Italy retains control ot certain Abyssinian territories.

“WAR ONLY JUST STARTING.” DECLARATION BY THE EMPEROR. SUSPICIOUS OF LEAGUE ACTION. LONDON, March' 4. Italy’s indulgence in the hope that Haile" Selassie may agree to peace negotiations within the fraxnewoi \ o the League and in the spirit of the covenant must be interpreted in the light of the Emperor’s latest declaration from Addis Ababa : "Ilie nai is only just starting. .All strong men must go to the front. These words occur in a message from the Emperor read at a monster meeting of Moslems which opened the first day of the Bairam festival. The Emperor added: "Abyssinians should not believe what the Italians say about victories and casualties. If'they kill two Abyssinians they say they have exterminated an entire division.” This defiant observation may be slightly, but not greatly, modified bv the following message from the Addis Ababa correspondent of "The Times”: "It is thought here that Abyssinia may agree to open negotiations for a cessation of hostilities, within the framework of the League; but the Palace assumes this to imply Italian withdrawal from Abyssinia and the discussion of peace terms on tlie lines laid down by the Committee of Five. It is not believed, however, that Italy, in her present frame of mind, will accept terms so closely according to the spirit of the covenant.

"Moreover, there is profound suspicion that everything is being done at Geneva to postpone discussions of new sanctions under a cloud of peace negotiations which would obviously provide the desired delay. "It is significant that Marshal Badoglio himself states that his next move depends on political considerations.”

The Addis Ababa correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” understands that Haile Selassie is personally prepared to go a long way toward peace; but the decision does not remain with

him since the mobolisatioii of the aimi. The army, which must have a definite say, is not beaten. The Abyssinians are still confident of victory and will strongly defend the difficult country between Amba Alagi and Lake Asliangi. There is little prospect of Abyssinia agreeing to proposals acceptable to Italy.