STRONG SUPPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 223, 20 September 1935, Page 7

STRONG SUPPORT.

PEACE PROPOSALS.

Abyssinia Objects to Only One Point. SOLID BRITISH BACKING. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) feUGBY, September 19. Both the Italian and the Abyssinian delegates have been asked to reply to the proposals of the League Committee of Five as early as possible, but no time limit lias been fixed. It seems certain that the Council will not disperse until vital decisions have been taken. *

The terms of the report of the Committee of Five have not been disclosed, but in trustworthy quarters at Geneva it is stated to be a masterpiece of impartiality. While the proposals preserve Abyssinia's independence the report is understood to contain a reminder of the obligations she undertook when she became a member of the League and which it is now proposed slio should be assisted to fulfil with the consent of the Emperor. Attitude of Britain Supported. The attitude taken by the British delegates at Geneva had the warm support of small Powers, which welcome the firmness displayed ill support of the League Covenant. In Britain there is almost unanimous public opinion behind the Government. This is expressed in public speeches and newspapers of all shades of opinion. Hitherto the "Daily Mail" has been a notable exception. It still maintains a general attitude of hostility towards the League, owing "to the dangers it entails of entanglements in Continental quarters at a time when the League commands the unhesitating support of only a minority of the great Powers,' and expresses doubts as to the policy followed, but adds that "if these measures have to be taken the people of this country must and will be solidly behind the Government." Pacifist Labour. Criticism of the Government's policy at Geneva is mainly confined to the extreme pacifist scction of the Labour party. The Committee of Five met this evening to hear a report from its chairman, Senior dc Madariaga, on his intei views with the head* of the Italian and Abyssinian delegations when he hande<l them the committee's report. Baron Aloisi appears to have abandoned the intention of taking the report personally to Rome. No developments are expected in Geneva for some days until the comments of the two Governments on the report have been received. It is believed, however, that the League Council will remain in session until the final report of the committee has reached it and it has taken appropriate action which it is hoped may be to confirm and apply the terms of settlement.

A message from Addis Ababa says that 19 Abyssinian officials state they object to only one point in the committee's proposals, where it is left uncertain whether Italy will have a paramount influence in certain fields of Abyssinian development. If this is conceded it will probably be suicidal for Abvesinia.