DEFEND RIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 208, 3 September 1935, Page 7

DEFEND RIGHTS.

ABYSSINIA FIRM.

Will Not be Guinea-pig for Italy's Experiments.

FRANCO-BRITISH ACCORD

(United P.A. -Electric Telesraph-Cupyrlsht)

(Received 1 p.m.)

LONDON, September 2

Abyssinia intends to defend her nght to grant concessions at Geneva," Uγ. Tekla IJawariat, Minister at Pans, declared before leaving for Geneva. He added: "Abyssinia does not intend to be a guinea-pig for Italy's military experiments. The that we have no right to negotiate concessions is merely part of the European policy to strangle us."

A British official wireless message says that Mr. Anthony Eden left London this afternoon on his way to attend the League Council on Wednesday. It is possible, though nothing has yet been definitely arranged, that he may see Mr. Baldwin before the latter leaves Aix-les-Bains for London on Wednesday.

While in Paris Mr. Eden met Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, who is returning to London from a holiday on the Continent and who visited Mr. Baldwin on the way to Paris.

The "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent at Paris reports that M. Laval has issued a communique regarding the meeting with Mr. Anthony Eden, stating: "We examined all matters affecting France and Britain in the most cordial spirit and found ourselves in perfect agreement on the necessity of continuing the policy of close co-opera-tion."

The correspondent adds that the granting of the oil concession has established the important point that Abyssinia is prepared to adopt the "open door" policy to foreign interests, thus cutting the ground from the Italian contention that she has always blocked foreign attempts to develop tho country. FRANCE SCEPTICAL. ANTI-BRITISH COMMENT. (Received 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, September 2. Comment in the French Press reveals how Mr. Rickett's Abyssinian oil concession will complicate Mr. Anthony Eden's task at Geneva. In spite of the Foreign Office's denial, Britain's good faith is questioned. "L'lntransigeant" bitterly likens Britain to persons wishing to save the poor sheep from the wicked wolf, hoping themselves to do the fleecing. "Lo Matin" questions whether the. Foreign Office statement is the whole truth. The paper expresses the opinion that the concession has so shaken British sang-froid that it will perhaps bring success to those striving to prevent any fatal intransigeance by partisan sanctions. The semi-official organ, "Le Temps," considers it strange that the British Minister at Addis Ababa knew nothing of the negotiations that had been conducted for three years. It will be difficult, it says, to ask the League to decide the responsibility to enforce sanctions that will profit particular interests. Britain should be above suspicion. ITALY'S CASE. Full Statement Presented to Australia. UNUSUAL PROCEDURE. (Received 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, this day.

The Italian Government has submitted to the Federal Government, through the Italian Consul, a statement of its case in regard to Abyssinia, which is to be presented to the Council of the League on Wednesday. Mr. J. A. Lyons received the acting-Consul-General for Italy, Commander L. Vitali. Mr. Lyons subsequently said that tho Italian statement would be placed before Cabinet, but it would not result in any change or modification of the instructions which had been transmitted to Mr. S. M. Bruce. Tho course adopted by Italy was interesting in that diplomatic communications between Australia and foreign Governments are invariably forwarded through the British Foreign Office. N.Z. AND L SANCTIONS. MR. FORBES INTERVIEWED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. As far as New Zealand is concerned the question of sanctions has not arisen, stated the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, in an interview to-day. He said that the Imperial authorities were in constant touch with the New Zealand Government, and were keeping it confidentially informed of every development. Mr Forbes declined to comment on the Australian Government's attitude in regard to sanctions. He pointed out that Australia, as a member of the Council of the League of Nations, has a direct representative (Mr. S. M. Bruce) on the Council, aud it was therefore necessary that Mr Bruce should be informed of the attitude of the Commonwealth Government Ne\v Zeatand had no voice on the Council, but was ecticerned with any decisions that the League, which would be meeting some time later, might reach. The Prime Minister said the Government would welcome an expression of the views of members of Parliament on the highly difficult questions of international policy involved in the dispute. Z h£ option, the Address-in-lleply debate, which would be opened in the House to-morrow night, would provide members with an early and appropriate Opportunity to put forward their ideas. FRANCE AND ITALY. MILITARY CO-OPERATION? BOLZANO, September 2. The military correspondent of the "Dailv Telegraph" says there is no doubt that Franco-Italian military . conversations are proceeding on a basis of m.htary co-operation.