WAR DIE CAST?

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

WAR DIE CAST?

MOMENTOUS DAYS. Events Point to Opening of Hostilities. POSSIBLE LEAGUE ACTION. British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 2. At the meeting of the British Cabinet to-day Mr. Anthony Eden reported fully on the recent events in Geneva, and his colleagues endorsed his According to present arrangements Mr. Eden should reach Geneva on Friday morning. Meantime messages from Rome and Geneva report important developments in connection with the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia. Tlio League Secretariat received a telegram from the Emperor of Ethiopia alleging that Italian troops violated the Abyssinian frontier in the region south of Mount Mussa. Ali, in the province of Aussa. The telegram was at once communicated to the Council, and the State's members of the League and Senor Ruiz Guina7.il, president of the Council,' conferred with M. Avenol, SecretaryGeneral.

I'ress messages state that wellinformed circles ill Geneva consider the turn of events as pointing to the opening of hostilities. No collision between Italian and Ethiopian forces would appear to have occurred, and this evening there was no suggestion of an emergency meeting of the Council should hostilities break out before the Committee of Thirteen completed its work.

It is presumed in London that the Council, and perhaps the Assembly also, will be summoned immediately. The Council will have to determine whether there has been resort to war within the meaning of the Covenant.

If it is established that one or other party committed a breach of paragraph 1 of Article XII. of the Covenant, Article XVI. would as a consequence become operative.

Signor Mussolini, in his broadcast speech, made no mention of hostilities in East Africa, but is reported to have said: "For many months Italy, under the impulse of Fate, has been heading towards its goal, and in past hours the wheel of fate is going faster and will not be stopped."

LEAGUE MUST BE UNITED

ITALY AND LACK OF COHESION.

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON", October 2. The "Manchester Giii..dian," in a leader, writes: —

"This is at least Signor Mussolini's single will. Without good cause and in the violation of his country's word he is sending many men, not only Abyssinians but his own countrymen, to wounds, disease and death. He is increasing the wretchedness in which a large part of his people live and endangering the general peace of us all. He hopes for a short, triumphant war and for such lack of cohesion among the League Powers as will neutralise the economic sanctions.

"His words should encourage the League to guard against this weakness. Never can there be effective sanctions unless the League countries, including the small Powers, make personal sacrifices in order to establish the authority and capacity needed for its successful action."

WAR RISK CLAUSES. APPLICATION IN AUSTRALIA. (Received 10.,')0 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The Overseas Shipping Representatives' .Association has decided, in view of the possibility of hostilities in Abyssinia, to bring into operation the special war clauses both in regard to cargo engagements and bills of lading. These clauses took efTcct from yesterday. HELP OF EGYPT? IF ABYSSINIA IS AT WAR. LONDON, October 2. The Cairo correspondent of "The Times" says steps arc being taken to co-ordinate Egyptian efforts on behalf of Abyssinia in the event of war. These include the formation of a joint Chris-tian-Moslem Committee under the presidency of Prince Omar Toussoun to organise assistance. It is understood that if war breaks out an appeal to the Egyptian nation for financial help will be issued over tho signatures of the Prince and the Coptic Patriarch. Another member of the Egyptian Royal Family, tyibil Ismail Daud, will go to Addis Ababa shortly to consult the Emperor about the employment of Egyptian volunteers.