POSITION IS CONTEMPLATED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 172, 4 May 1936, Page 5

POSITION IS CONTEMPLATED.

QUESTION OF FRUITS OF VICTORY GENEVA ACTION TO CONTINUE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) GENEVA, May 2. Emperor Haile Selassie’s flight has dismayed League quarters, where it is felt the position has become singularly complicated, in view of the unprecedented problem produced by the collapse of resistance, as while resistance was continued, the course of the League of Nations was clear, ( in the maintenance and possibly the strengthening of sanctions, until collective security had triumphed. It i 9 contended that it would be a violation of the principles of the League of Nations to admit that the aggressor was entitled to the fruits of victory. Consequently, if the Covenant means anything, League action ought to he continued. It is anticipated the Italians will not insist that their claim that Emperor Haile Selassie was a usurper, was justified.

PARIS SURPRISED. THE EMPEROR’S DEPARTURE. PARIS, May 2. Official circles are at Emperor Haile Selassie’s unexpected departure although it was anticipated the Empress and other members of the Royal Family would go to Danigouti, following Emperor’s Selassie’s recent inquiry from the French Minister at Addis Ababa whether France would object to the Royal Family’s arrival there. The Minister replied in the negative.

LESSONS FROM TRAGEDY.

FAILURE OF THE LEAGUE. LONDON, May 2. “The Sunday Time,s” editorially describes Emperor Haile Selassie’s flight as a extremely grave international event which may prove to be the death blow to Abyssinia’s independence Meanwhile, the one lesson from the Abyssinian tragedy is the League’s glaring failure, necessitating reorganisation in order to prevent war among members of the League.

GREATLY INCREASED.

PRESSURE OF SANCTIONS

LONDON, May 2. The League of Nations published today new statistics on international trade with Italy, which reveal that during February the pressure of sanctions was greatly increased. The figures for March, though not yet published, are reported to be of even greater significance. Imports of forty-three countries from Italy and Italian colonies in February, 1935, amounted to 16,336,900 gold dollars, but in February, 1936, they had fallen to 6,737,100 gold dollars.

EMPEROR’S FUTURE.

OPINION IN FRANCE. PARIS, May 2. Speculation has begun in Paris regarding Emperor -Selassie’s future. A foreign spokesman says that tlie Emperor will be treated with every respect. As a monarch in distress he is entitled to embark on any vessel and be permitted to reside in France. However, the question arises whether an Italian warship in the Red Sea might search a neutral ship suspected of carrying the Emperor, with a view to Jiis capture.