LEAGUE MUST PASS FINAL JUDGMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 3000, 19 December 1935, Page 7

LEAGUE MUST PASS FINAL JUDGMENT.

COUNCIL MEETING.

"Take It Or Leave It" Is Peace Plan Attitude. FRANCO-BRITISH VIEWS. British Official Wireless. (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, December 18. The Council of the League of Nations met at Geneva this morning, but the Italo-Abyssinian question was not discussed until this afternoon's session. Mr. Anthony Eden and M. Laval travelled by the same train to Geneva. They did not attend 'the morning session'of the Council, but met privately to discuss the attitude to be taken at this afternoon's debate. When the Council met in public session this evening, tributes were paid at the outset to Dr. Benes, who was to-day sworn-in as President of Czechoslovakia. Mr. Eflen, in his speech later, recalled the approval given by the Co-ordina-tion Committee to tlie attempts to find a basis for discussion between Ethiopia and Italy, leading to the efforts of the French and British Governments to find such a basis and culminating in the Paris proposals. He said: "It has been in the minds of the two Governments that an essential condition is that before finally pressing any terms of settlement upon the parties, those terms should be approved by the League of Nations, for members are bound to respect, and to do their utmost to apply, the Covenant. It was not an easy task which the two Governments undertook, and it may well be maintained that it has been, at the present juncture, an almost impossible task. It Avas proper that an attempt should be made, however. Aim at Conciliation. "For that," he said, "I make no apologies. Even if this attempt is to be unsuccessful the essential aim of conciliation remains, as the League has frequently recognised in principle, .therefore it was right then, if its application in this instance might not avail. "It must be emphasised that the Paris proposals were not advanced as proposals to be insisted on in any event. They were advanced in order to ascertain what the views of the three parties might be upon them, and the British Government recommended them only for this purpose. "If, therefore, it transpires that these proposals which are now before you do ljot represent the essential conditions of agreement by the three parties, the British Government cannot continue to recommend or support them. In its mind this particular attempt at a solution would not have been regarded as having achieved its object, and, for its part, it would not wish to pursue it further." M. Laval Endorses Statement. Mr. Eden was followed by M. Laval, who endorsed the former's account of the spirit in which the proposals were made. He continued: "We still do not know the reception which the other two parties will give our suggestions, and I suggest that during this wait the Council itself will desire to avoid making a definite decision. I esteem it my duty to declare at this time that if these attempts do not meet with the assent of all the interested parties, the Council will have to make up its mind not to neglect any means to find a peacefid settlement —a solution which will be honest and one which has as its basis the peace of the world." \ The only other speaker before the Council adjourned was the Ethiopian representative, Wolde Marian, who said Abyssinia had put its' case before the League in the trust that it would settle the conflict in accordance with the principle and spirit of the Covenant. Abyssinia could not accept a peace of capitulation or spoliation. She asked for the judgment of the League Assembly, but woidd respect the decision of the Council. The Italian member of the Council did not attend the session. The President adjourned the Council, saying that as long as the attitude of Italy and Abyssinia remained undefined members would doubtless prefer to examine the question at another sitting. Geneva Press messages suggest that the Council may meet in private tomorrow and in public on Friday. NOT CONSULTED. DOMINIONS AND PEACE TERMS. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON", December 18. In the nouse of Commons Mr. Baldwin was asked if the Dominions had been consulted before the? peace'-terms were submitted to Italy and Abyssinia. He answered: "No, but jJie Dominions, as far as possible, have been kept informed of the developments as they have arisen."