The Auckland Star WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1935. ITALY DEFIES THE LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 6

The Auckland Star WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1935. ITALY DEFIES THE LEAGUE.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the tcrong that needs resistance, Fi>r the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Whatever it may portend, Mussolini's mobilisation of Italy furnishes impressive proof alike of the power of a modern dictator and of the power of propaganda. At one order virtually a whole nation has suspended its peaceful pursuits, and the people have gathered to listen to their leader and to assure him of their devoted support. Ten million men have donned uniforms. And. to what end? No invader threatens their homeland, nor does it appear that there is any intention on Mussolini's part of ordering an advance into a neighbouring country. Why, then, is a whole people acting as one? It is because the nation, deprived of the institution's of freedom, is not free, but enslaved, because on national questions there is allowed only one opinion, and that opinion Mussolini's. And the only arguments that Mussolini recognises are force and the display of force.

Mussolini did not announce that- he had ordered the advance into Ethiopia, Init if words have their meaning the order will not be long delayed. "Fate's wheel is moving faster and faster. It cannot be arrested." But whatever may happen in Ethiopia in the near future oan be ot small importance when compared with the possible happenings in Mussolini, well aware that the League Council is preparing its judgment 011 the Italo-Abyssinian case, means to anticipate that judgment and to brave the consequences which may arise from it. Indeed, he ignores the League and addresses directly the "real people" of England and France, asking for a free hand in Abyssinia. "Measures of a military character we meet with measures of a military character. We shall reply to economic sanctions with discipline, spirit and sacrifice." How will Mussolini's speech be received in London and Paris?

Under the League Covenant, if Italy should resort to war now (or at any time until three months after the report by the Council) she will be deemed to have committed an act of war agtrinst all other members of the League, which must "immediately" subject Italy to a boycott. Will the Powers take such action, with all its risks? It appears, that the crucial test of the League and of the efficacy of the system of collective security is close at hand. By refraining from action against the "Covenaht-breaking State" the Powers might make it possible for the conflict to be confined to a country remote from Europe. They might even take the view that Italy's financial and economic condition is so precarious .that the of a "colonial war" would quickly lead to a collapse. But if a "colonial war" —which might easily spread— is to be prevented it would seem that the only course open to the League Powers is to meet Mussolini with a show of greater force.