FURTHER APPEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 297, 16 December 1935, Page 7

FURTHER APPEAL.

EFFORT FOR PEACE.

Franco-British Notes Sent to

Parties to Dispute.

NEGOTIATION URGED. British Official Wireless. (Received 2 p.m.) BUGBY, December 15. The White Paper issued by the British Government contains, in addition to the text of the proposals drafted in Paris, instructions sent by the Foreign Secretary to the British Ambassador in Rome and the British Minister in Addis Ababa on December 10. These are preceded by the report of the League Committee of Five of September 18 last and the respective replies thereto of the Italian and Ethiopian representatives, and by a telegram from Sir Samuel Hoare at Geneva describing the session of the Co-ordination Committee on November 2, at which the efforts of the French and British Governments to promote a settlement of the conflict were welcomed. In the telegrams of December 10 the British representatives were instructed to make, jointly with their French colleagues, a communication to Signor Mussolini and the Emp«ijr of Ethiopia, which in each case begins by stating that before the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen, arranged for December 12, the British and French Governments, acting in accordance with the wishes expressed in the Co-ordination Committee on November 2, and anxious to see an early end put to the ItaloAbyssinian conflict, have endeavoured to draw up a basis of agreement.

In the telegram to Rome the Governments give an assurance of their anxiety to take account of Italian aspirations insofar as these can be made compatible with the principle's of the Covenant of the League of Nations and respect for Ethiopian sovereignty.

In both communications they state that they are convinced that the arrangement to be come to should be drawn up under the direction of the Committee of Five, which received from the Council of the League of Nations in September last its mandate of conciliation, and they have decided to make certain suggestions urgently to that committee, and to add that in order to make sure that Signor Mussolini and the Emperor would accept a basis of negotiations in principle, without prejudice to the result of the discussions which would subsequently take place before the committee, that they are communicating the proposals to them in strict confidence. Inspired by Friendly Spirit. Convinced that Signor Mussolini and the Emperor will appreciate the friendly spirit which inspired their communication, the Governments address each of them an urgent appeal that he should, without delay, take part in negotiations for improving the international situation with the most favourable prospects.

To Rome they joined to this appeal the statement that they liope the reply of the Italian Government may reach them within a period which, in view of the imminence of meetings at Geneva, may be as short as possible. If, as they hope, this reply in principle is favourable, the French and British Governments will immediately take the necessary steps in order that the Committee of Five may be called together ,on December 12. In that case the meeting of the committee might modify the object of the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen fixed for the same day. Sir Samuel Hoare ■ and M. Laval attach the greatest importance to learning at the same time from Signor Mussolini whether he is ready to arrange for the collaboration of the Italian Government with the Committee of Five. Appeal to Ethiopia. The appeal to the Emperor of Ethiopia was reinforced in the following terms: They hope his Majesty will let them know as soon as possible if he agrees to negotiate on these conditions and is ready to arrange for the collaboration of the Ethiopian Government with the Committee of Five. Both telegrams conclude with a reference to the proposal that Abyssinia should have an outlet to the sea, and representatives are advised, if the solution suggested of cession by Italy of Assab and a corridor to it would, in their view, militate against acceptance of the basis, that they may say, falling such arrangement, that the Government of Britain and the French Government are prepared to facilitate Ethiopia's access to the sea in a manner which they stated to the Committee of Five. The Foreign Secretary sent an additional telegram to Sir Sydney Barton, in which the latter was instructed to rise his utmost influence to induce the Emperor to give careful and favourable consideration to the proposals, and on no account lightly to reject them.

The message adds: "I feel sure he will give further proof of his statesmanship by realising the advantage of the opportunity of negotiation which they afford."