THOUGHTS IN AFRICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 7

THOUGHTS IN AFRICA.

Mr. Eden's Comment on Fall of Addis Ababa. BRITAIN'S VAIN PART. LONDON, May 3.

The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, after a long conference with Foreign Office officials, begun after the receipt of Sir Sydney Barton's telegram announcing the flight of the Emperor Haile Silassie, travelled to Leamington to attend a dinner given by his constituents.

In the course of a speech Mr. Eden said: "Many of you, like myself, have your thoughts in Africa. I have only one observation to make in that connection, namely, that we have played our part.

"We have done this, not on behalf of any Imperial interests or for selfish motives, but because, as members of the League and signatories of the Covenant, we had an obligation which we shared with other members of the League.

"Whatever the lessons of the last seven months we must be prepared to profit by them in a spirit of realism, steadily pursuing the constant purpose of British foreign policy, which is the maintenance of peace."

BIG TRADE SHRINKAGE. SANCTIONS REPERCUSSIONS. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, May 3. The League of Nations has published new statistics on international trade with Italy, which reveal that during February the pressure of sanctions was greatly increased. The figures for March, though not yet published, are reported to be of even greater significance. The value of imports of 43 countries from Italy and Italian colonies in February 1935, amounted to 16,330,900 gold dollars, but in February, 1936, had fallen to 6,737,000 gold dollars.

LONDON IS REASSURED.

SAFETY OF FOREIGNERS. British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) . RUGBY, May 3. Little is known yet in detail of the Emperor's departure Trom Addis Ababa, and the newspapers print vaiiecl accounts of the circumstances, and equally varied speculations as to lis intentions. All that can officially be confirmed in London is that he left the capital for Jibouti, accompanied by the Empress and his family. Official information received in London concerning the situation m Addis Ababa is reassuring as to the safety oi foreign communities. The position is stated to be satisfactory.,