ARMS EXPORTATION TO ABYSSINIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1935, Page 7

ARMS EXPORTATION TO ABYSSINIA.

BRITISH LICENSES.

Applications to Date Not

Granted

PEACE EFFORTS CONTINUE,

(United r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON", July 11. The Government has received several applications for licenses to export arms to Abyssinia. It has not granted them, however, pending consideration. No application has been received in respect of Italy, but it is understood that all applications will be treated in the same way.

A Washington message states that tlio Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, said at a Press Conference that the United States was deeply interested in doing it could to preserve peace in all the world, and was closely observing developments in tlie dispute between Italv and Abyssinia.

The diplomatic world continues to be absorbed in the problem of averting war between Italy and Abyssinia.

The Secretary-General of the League of Nations, M. Avenol, already has conferred with the Italian, French and Polish Ambassadors to Britain. The strictest secrecy is being observed everywhere, but it is reported reservedly that Signor Grandi, Italian Ambassador, has tentatively proposed a solution.

This proposal is said to be that Italy be granted a zone in the Abyssinian hinterland of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, in which she would exercise political control. Behind this to be a further zone of Italian influence, recognised by Abyssinia, in which Italy would have a free hand in rehabilitation and in suppressing slavery.

It is believed that the present consultations everywhere are centred primarily upon immediate procedure.

A Tokyo message says the spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Office denies the report cabled yesterday that the Emperor is trying to avert hostilities between Italy and Abyssinia.