ITALY ILL ATTACK AS SOON AS READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 7

ITALY ILL ATTACK AS SOON AS READY.

WAR OJV ABYSSINIA.

When Troops, Bombs, and 'Planes Are Sufficient.

SPEECH TO CONTINGENT.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

.(Received 1 p.m.); LONDON, July 7. The Prime Minister of Italy, Signor Mussolini, speaking at Salerno to troops who were about to embark for East Africa, said: "Italians have always defeated blacks. Our decision in regard to Abyssinia is irrevocable. Italy is writing another heroic page in her history." The "Daily Telegraph" Rome correspondent says Signor Mussolini's speech created a deep impression, throughout Italy because, though newspapers were forbidden to report it, it was circulated in Rome and telegraphed to Milan, Turin and elsewhere. Mussolini made it clear that ho would attack immediately he has sufficient troops, stores, bomba and aeroplanes. Meanwhile it is reported that tho 1910 class is to be mobilised in August. Northern factories are working day and night on aeroplane parts, steam rollers and munitions. Intensive propaganda Is proceeding among the tribes bordering Italy's African colonies. Disaffected chiefs promise to join the invaders immediately an attack prepares the way. All Italy Behind the Soldiers. Referring to the battle of Adowa, Signor Mussolini said that 4000 Italians there had fought madly against 100,000 Abyesinians, but . the Italian Government then was more preoccupied with Parliamentary squabbles than with its troops. To-day all Italy was behind her sons in East Africa. The Prime Minister's sons, Vittoria, aged 19, and Bruno, 17, recently qualified as pilots and have enlisted for service with the Italian Air Force in East Africa. Lightning struck a seaplane in which Signor Mussolini flew to Salerno for the review. The wireless operator fainted. The machine was not damaged.

AMERICA DECIDES.

Avoiding Entanglement in

Dispute.

EVACUATING NATIONALS,

WASHINGTON, July 7. The United States has deposited the Italo-Abyssinian troubles back on the other side of the Atlantic, but _the Government says it is loth, to believe that either nation will resort to other than pacific means of settling the dispute. A Note which the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, sent to the Emperor of Abyssinia in response to his plea that the United States would invoke the Briand-Kellogg Pact is interpreted widely as an effort to avoid entanglement. Although the United States declines to interfere, it is pointed out that both Italy and Abyssinia signed the Pact of Paris. Without waiting for the cabled text of the appeal from Addis Ababa, President Roosevelt is sending a reply pointing out that while his Government is interested in the maintenance of peace in all parts of the world, the controversy which unhappily has arisen between the Abyssinian Government and the Italian Government is now in process of arbitration by the League of Nations. In regard to the reported evacuation of American nationals from Abyssinia, the State Department says it has authorised the Charge d'Affaires at Addis Ababa, Mr. William George, to take what precautions he thinks necessary. There are about 125 Americans in the country, of whom 110 are missionaries of various faiths. It appears, however, that some will not heed a warning. Mr. T. A. Lambie, American director of the Abyssinian mission service, has advised his headquarters in Washington that 50 missionaries of his organisation will ignore any orders or suggestions to evacuate. "We put our faith in God," he says, "and do not expect Consular protection. I believe there is no danger from bombing aeroplanes."

WAITING ON BRITAIN.

PASSIVE TRENCH ATTITUDE,

(Received 0.30 a.m.)

LONDON, July 7.

The "News-Chronicle" Paris correspondent states that the British representations regarding the French attitude in the event of Italian aggression against Abyssinia produced little beyond an evident disinclination to annoy Italy. It is understood that the Prime Minister, M. Laval, informed the British Ambassador that France will not support economic sanctions against Italy, but will welcome any suggestion from London for a diplomatic way out of tlje difficulty.

M.P. CHALLENGED.

ITALIAN INVITES DUEL.

LONDON, July 7. The Rome correspondent of "The Times" states that Captain Fanelli challenged Major C. R. Attlee, M.P. (Lab., Stepney) to a duel in any neutral country with any weapons. He objected to Major Attlee's remarks in the House on the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. Major Attlee declined the challenge, declaring that duelling was a barbarous and obsolete method of liquidating quarrels, and that it puts a premium on a bully. He explained that he had only criticised the Italian Government and had not referred to the people. His remarks did not exceed the freedom ot speech recognised in Britain. Captain Fanelli is not satisfied and is persisting in Ms challenge.