ETHIOPIA ALLEGES INVASION By ITALY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 7

ETHIOPIA ALLEGES INVASION By ITALY.

GENEVA STIRRED. Independent Information Supports Belief. TALK OF AERIAL OBSERVER. United Tress Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", October 2. Though two statements from Addis Ababa record that the Italians crossed the frontier of Ethiopia in the nildemarcated area Ayest of Mussa Ali, near the junction of French and Italian territories, and that the Emperor had telegraphed a protest to Geneva requesting the immediate dispatch of a commission of inquiry, a message from Rome officially denies the allegations. It is generally expected that mobilisation in Abyssinia will be proclaimed tomorrow unless definite assurances of Italy's intentions are meanwhile received. The Crown Prince of Ethiopia is taking steps to harass the 'Italian invaders.

The Associated Press correspondent at Geneva says that after three days of superficial calm, the rumoured Italian advance galvanised Geneva. When the League received Haile Silassie's urgent dispatch it was immediately communicated to the delegations.

Owing to the uncertainty of the boundary at Mussa Ali Geneva does not assume that the Italians crossed the frontier, but independent information supports belief. Fifty thousand Italians, with aeroplanes, are in the neighbourhood.

The Committee of Thirteen will consider to-morrow the sub-committee's report on the dispatch of observers, though the idea of complete observations will probably be rejected.

Haile Silassie's reference to the ease of observation in the Mussa Ali area is likely to lead to the dispatch of an impartial observer, who will operate by air from French Somaliland.

This can be rapidly arranged and confirmation of the Italian' movements can easily be established.

The Associated Press adds that it is understood the transfer of a strip of French territory in Somaliland, ceded to Italy in January, lias not yet been carried out. Therefore the Italians would still be violating French territory if they endeavoured to utilise it for the movement of troops. BETTER POSITIONS. ITALIAN TROOPS MOVE. (Received 1 p.m.) ROME, October 2. The Foreign Office announces that the Italian troops in Eritrea have, as a (irecaution, moved into new and better positions, in view of the increasingly hostile attitude of the Abyssinians. A denial of frontier clashes is forthcoming from the same source. LONDON ITALIANS. BIG MEETING IN SOHO. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON", October 2. Soho, in which most of London's Italian restaurants and grocery stores are situated, became excited by the assemblage of 500 Italians at the Italian Co-operative Club in Greek Street. Many wore Fascist uniforms. They were addressed by the Italian Ambassador, Signor Grandi. Officials denied that the meeting was a prelude to mobilisation, but participants explained that they expected to receive replies to their telegrams to Homo expressing readiness to go abroad.

DOMINION VOICES. SIGNIFICANT UTTERANCES. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 2. The "Daily Mail," in a leading article, attaches significance to a statement made by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. R. B. Bennett, at Brandon, Manitoba, on September 28, that Canada would not embroil herself in disputes in which she was not directly interested. The article also calls attention to a speech at Adelaide by the Premier of South Australia, Mr. R. L. Butler, in which he said he doubted the value of the League of Nations as a promoter of peace. The "Mail" says it would be well for British public opinion to note these two Dominion voices speaking in sucli complete accord. WEAKENED STRENGTH. WAS BRITISH POLICY WRONG? LONDON, October 2. "Recent events have made it abundantly clear that the known weaknesses of our defences have seriously impaired our influence for peace," said Mr. NevilleChamberlain .at a bankers' dinner. "The unilateral disarmament practised by Britain since the Great War was not decided upon by the present Government. It was the deliberate act of successive Governments representing different parties in the State. "The decision probably was the best in the circumstances then existing, but conditions have changed. Other countries, instead of following the British example, have been increasing their armaments and with the consciousness of increased power has come a disinclination to listen to counsels of moderation.

"If Britain is to pull her weight in the cause of peace she must be given the means without which that end cannot be served."