TALKS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT GENEVA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1935, Page 7

TALKS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT GENEVA.

LEAGUE MEETING. Search for Settlement Made In Private. ITALO-ABYSSINIA DISPUTE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, July 31. Mr. Anthony Eden and M. Laval, with the British and French delegations, reached Geneva to-day. In Paris last evening the two Ministers had an exchange of views regarding the Italian-Abyssinian dispute. There is no question of establishing a common front on delicate and complicated issues. There is no doubt that the closest co-operation will be maintained between the French and British representatives in their efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement.

51. Litvinoff, president of the League Council, reached Geneva last night and saw both M. Laval and Mr. Anthony Eden to-day. Later he had conversations with the Italian and Abyssinian chief delegates.

The Council held a private meeting to-night-, and on the proposal of M. Laval, the delegates agreed to meet in public session on Thursday evening. Meantime it was agreed that private negotiations should continue between Italy and Abyssinia and the two most interested countries, France and Britain, and the president of the Council, with a view to finding a formula to enable arbitration to continue. Atmosphere of Appeasement. A Geneva message states that following a long conversation between Mr. Eden and M. Laval, the Council unexpectedly met at 5 p.m. this evening, privately. Although Abyssinia is not a member of the Council, Professor Jeze is expected to address it. The Council met in an atmosphere of appeasement. The opinion is expressed that a compromise agreement will be reached before the week-end, providing for a continuance of the private negotiations between France, Italy and Britain. Meanwhile a fifth arbitrator will be appointed, probably M. Hammerskjold of Sweden, both parties meantime not to resort to force. Baron Aloisi was present when the Council decided to meet again at 5 p.m. to-morrow, probably in public. League Control in Abyssinia? The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says there is no question of cynically expelling Abyssinia from the League of Nations and leaving her to her fate. However, she may be reminded that the privilege of membership of the League also implies duties, and if she cannot -set her own house in order others must do it for her. A practical expression of this idea may develop sooner or later in proposals for something approaching a League mandate over Abyssinia, to be exercised through a High Commissioner with a status resembling that of the Danzig High Commissioner. Italy would fully share in local concessions, but it would be made clear to her that supervision established over Abyssinia would lie with the League. Abyssinia, on the other hand, would enjoy the League's protection and financial assistance in return for allowing League officials to enter her administration. "GOOD EXERCISE." Italian Expeditionary Force to Abyssinia. MUSSOLINI'S WARNING. (Received 1 p.m.) PARIS, July 31. Signor Mussolini, interviewed by "L'lntransigeent," declares that he will, if necessary, double or treble the present personnel and material in Abyssinia. He will by September have 800,000 men, half in motorised divisions, distributed where needed on Italy's European frontiers, increasing the number to 1,000,000 if circumstances demand.

II Duce adds: "Nobody will feel any desire to move. The Abyssinian affair is not diminishing my potentialities, indeed, it is an advantageous exercise in mobilisation, enabling an inventory to be taken of our possibilities. There are fishers in troubled waters in Europe but I have in hand everything necessary to prevent them indulging in their favourite sport."