SITUATION IN ABYSSINIA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21536, 27 July 1935, Page 17

SITUATION IN ABYSSINIA

ITALIAN VIEW OP DISPUTE CONCILIATION NOT >' " EXHAUSTED NOTES SENT TO GENEVA (vsiied pajtaa Asaoci.vTiow—copy*ioht.) (Received July 26, 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. Several fresh developments have occurred in the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, notably notes which were unexpectedly received at Geneva from Rome and Addis Ababa. "The Italian note is regarded as offering a prospect of a changed situation for the meeting of the League Council.

The French Foreign Office announced that the council had fixea July 31 for a meeting to discuss the dispute.

The Italian note, which has also been sent to Addis AbaDa, states that the Government is desirous, as always, of completing the procedure of conciliation. It recalls previous intimations to Ethiopia that Italy was prepared to resume proceeding before the Conciliation Commission provided it was limited to the Ualuai affair.

The opinion i 3 expressed at Geneva that Italy does not consider conciliation procedure to be exhausted and- that, consequently, the League Council cannot properly enter into the rights and wrongs of the case until after August 25. the date fixed by the League Council for a meeting if no settlement by conciliation has then been reached. In the meantime Ethiopia has sent a note to Geneva demanding fhat the council be summoned urgently. BRITAIN DENOUNCED \ : BANNERS DEFY THE LEAGUE HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS IN ROME (Received July 26. 7.30 p.m.) ROME, July 25. The Fascist axe rending the Union Jack was among banners carried at a monster meeting of 100,000 persons. Tremendous applause greeted denunciations of Great Britain and Japan. Hisses were .heard whenever they were mentioned. Extra guards have been placed at the Jap-, arese Embassy. The banners also included: We do not care a curse for Geneva, England, or Japan." "To whom does Abyssinia belong? To us." *

"Nothing will stop us." There were a so caricatures of the Emperor of Abyssinia. Most of them showed the Emperor alone, but some showed him with English and Japanese friends. The greatest applause was reserved for a dummy figure of the Emperor hanging by his trousers to Roman fasces. In a fiery speech Signor Orazzj, chief of the Rome Fascist organisation, proclaimed Italy's intention to pursue her policy in spite of all opposition.

SUPPLY OF ARMS

TRANSPORT OVER BRITISH TERRITORY (bbiii3H omciKL wiaeutas.) RUGBY, July 25. Referring to the supply of arms to Italy and Abyssinia, Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs* said in the House of Commons that the transit of arms destined for the Government of Ethiopia across British territory or British protected territory adjacent to Ethiopia-would be permitted in accordance with Article'lX. of the treaty of 1930. "The French Government, I understand, interpret their obligation under the treaty in the same manner as their attitude to the issue of export licenses," he added. His Majesty's Government is doing its best to make possible a peaceful outcome to an unhappy dispute and would not wish to do any thin? Which might prejudice the situation. It. therefore, for the present, will not issue licenses for the txoort of arms, from thb country either to Italy or Abyssinia.

ANTIQUATED RIFLES

LACK OF AMMUNITION IN ABYSSINIA (Received Julv 27. 1 a.m.) 9 LONDON. July 26 The SDecial correspondent of "The Times" at. Addis Ababa says that the MthioDian arms and munition# are hopelessly inadequate for a campaign of moderate length, and are incapable of achieving a Q" iCR victorious campaign. At most Abyssinia cannot at present possess more than 30.000 modern rifles and automatic rifles, and 15,000,000 modern cartridges. , The Ethiopians are mainly armed with antiquated Gras rifles or tne period after the Franco-Prussian wa with lead bullets. Nevertheless, a feeling of self-confidence exists which is unlikely to repeat the uaiual error of infantry trying to rout tanks. . ' H The central Government to preecninjt guerrilla warfare ®nd nigm tactics. ' |