JAPAN MY INTERFERE YET IN ABYSSINIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 9

JAPAN MY INTERFERE YET IN ABYSSINIA.

ECONOMIC INTEREST.

No Assurance to Contrary Given Mussolini.

ATTITUDE OF PRANCE,

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

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, July 19

A dispatch from Tokyo says that (lie Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota, has announced that Japan is specially interested in Abyssinia economically and could not remain unconcerned at the possibility of war. The statements that Japan has assured Signor Mussolini that she would not interfere in Abyssinia arc officially denied. "He who dies Tor liis country is a happy man," declared the Emperor, after a review of his troops, in an appeal to young and old men and women to unite against, an invader, says a message from Addis Ababa. Ho added: "It is better to die free than to live as slaves. Signor Mussolini lias declared that Italy is on a civilising mission. He wants to exclude a peaceful solution. He wants a bloody settlement of the old Adowa affair." French Leaning to Italy. The Paris correspondent of the "Morning Post" says France considers that, whatever the rights or wrongs of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, the whole problem is of secondary importance, compared with the Euro- j pean situation, for a satisfactory j solution of which the co-operation of Italy is essential to her,' especially in regard to the Austrian problem. France, therefore, will not consent to risk her friendship with Italy on account of Abj-ssinia, even though the question of the League of Nations principle is involved. Abyssinia's conquest by Italy, in the French view, would be a lesser blow to the League than Italy's exit from Geneva.

THROUGH THE LEAGUE

British Efforts to Achieve

Settlement

PRANK EXCHANGE URGED

(Eeceivcd 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, July 19.

The Secretary-General of the League of Nations, M. Avenol, lias now concluded Lis visit to Paris, where discussions with French Ministers took place. He will return to Paris on Monday, when it is assumed that he will bo informed of the latest results of diplomatic consultations. Newspapers state that the arguments addressed by the League to Rome are urging the desirability of efforts being made by Signor Mussolini to use the League of Nations machinery for putting forward Italy's case against Abyssinia, which has not yet been placed officially before the public. The British Government continues to bo actively engaged, through diplomatic exchanges in Home and Paris, in efforts to discover a means for a direct, peaceful settlement of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. These efforts will certainly be continued until success is achieved, or until the matter comes before the League Council.

In the latter event it is hoped Italy, as well as Abyssinia, will be prepared to submit a full and frank statement in order that the Council shall be fully informed upon all the facts. Members of the Council have been asked to hold themselves in readiness to attend a meeting, which may be summoned about the end of the month. <

"AT THE DOUBLE."

ITALY'S MILITARY TRAINING

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, July 19,

'"The Times" Kome correspondent states that General Grazioli, reporting to Signor Mussolini on the militarisation of Italy, announced that 40,000 instructors were training 500,000 youths in every commune providing spccial

grounds for exercising

BRITISH CAUTION

WILL NOT BE STAMPEDED,

LONDON, July 19.

The Parliamentary Undcr-Sccretary to the Home Office, Captain Euan Wallace, speaking at Malton. said the Government did not intend to be the "sole policeman" of the League of Nations. Jt was not going to he stampeded by belligerent pacifists into aggressiveness regarding the dispute between Italy und "Abvssiiiia.

SOLDIERS' PAY

INCREASE FOR ITALIANS,

ROME, July 19

Signor Mussolini, with the object of maintaining the morale of the tioops in East Africa, is increasing their pay. Privates are to receive 1/8 a day. In Italv, corporals receive 2/, and corporalmajors, 2/4 a day, but if they are in Somaliland they will receive an additional 4d a day-each. Sio-nor Mussolini aiso has increased the rations of the troops and improved the postal services.