BRITISH EFFORTS AT GENEVA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 17

BRITISH EFFORTS AT GENEVA

"Bitter Words of a Friend" BROADCAST BY SIR SAMUEL HOARE The attempts being made by the League of Nations to find a peaceful settlement of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia were reviewed by Sir Samuel Hoare in a speech made in Geneva and broadcast from the British Broadcasting Corporation stations. An electrical recording of the speech was broadcast from the Empire station at Daventry last night.

"You want to know how Mr Eden and I have been getting on in the last difficult week," said Sir Samuel. "You want to know whether the chances are better or worse than they were a few days ago. I wish I could tell you they are better. I cannot; but I think I can say that they are not any worse."

Both the British representatives were doing their best, Sir Samuel said, Mr Eden working away in the Committee of Five, he himself in the assembly, and both keeping in constant touch with the statesmen of other nations. Whatever happened, it would be possible for no one to say that the British Govern-j ment had not done everything in its power. "You may ask me what has been' my chief impression here in 1 Geneva," said Sir Samuel. "If you asked me that I should say that I have been most deeply struck by respect in which our country, indeed the whole British Empire, is held. I have felt repeatedly the responsibility of representing a country to which so many other countries, all over the world, are looking for advice. I have tried my best to put before them the typically British point of view; first the desire to live and let live; and second the determination to stick to our word, which in this case means keeping to the covenant." He hoped that it would be possible to do justice to Abyssinia while still remaining friendly with Italy. More than most other people he disliked the thought of a rift with Italy, for during the war he he had spent a year and a half there. He had a great admiration for Italy and their progress in recent years. "I am as anxious as anyone in Italy to keep the friendship of Italy," declared Sir Samuel. "Let the air carry to Italy to-night this word—that whatever bitter woEds have been said, they have been the words of a friend."

The great respect for Britain had meant a heavy responsibility for helping the cause of peace in Europe. That was why he had made it clear in his speech in the assembly that Britain would support collective resistance to unprovoked aggression. Owning a great empire meant also heavy responsibilities of possession; they must never be tempted to use their possession to churlish advantage. That was why he had referred in his assembly speech to the distribution of colonial raw materials.

"I deeply hope that you agree with me," said Sir Samuel. "As your representative in the great assembly of nations I have tried to say what you would wish. If I failed it was not for want of trying. If I succeeded, I shall feel that I have not come here in vain."

BRITISH TROOPS FOR MALTA THREE BATTALIONS TO BE SENT

RESTORING GARRISON TO AUTHORISED STRENGTH

(Received September 13, 11.5 p.m.)

LONDON, September 13,

In view of the international situation three battalions of British infantry at present at Catterick are being sent to Malta, bringing the garrison to the authorised establishment depleted in 1929, when troops were sent to Palestine.

ITALIAN WARSHIPS IN, GREEK WATERS ! ANOTHER PROTEST MADE SUGGESTED PREPARATIONS TO OPPOSE SANCTIONS LONDON, September 13. The Athens correspondent of "The Times" says Italy notified -the Government that a torpedo boat was obliged to anchor at Asida because of bad weather. The Government protested against the new infringement of international courtesy. The "Scotsman," commenting on the visits of Italian warships to Greece, expresses the opinion that Italy, because the league is considering sanctions, desires to intimidate Greece and possibly the Balkan powers, and also to seize Greek merchantmen for use if a blockade is established, and to secure Greek islands for bases for naval raids, thereby setting up a counter blockade.