GENEVA EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 18 September 1935, Page 13

GENEVA EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Committee's Suggestions Reported To Be Drastic FRANCE REACHES A LIMIT Approval by Mussolini Thought Unlikely Messages fcom Geneva suggest that the sub-committee of the Conciliation Committee which is drafting proposals for a settlement of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia has evolved a plan which would very considerably restrict Abyssinia's liberty. Even this plan, however, is not considered likely to meet with the approval of Signor Mussolini. The Italians have apparently been warned by M. Laval that he has gone as far as possible towards meeting their demands. Signor Mussolini, in an interview, has declared that if any attempt to impose" military sanctions is made, he will meet force with force. He hints at some unsuspected military asset. Meanwhile, more Italian troops are going to Africa. In Abyssinia, though the Emperor is being urged to order general mobilisation, he has not yet done so because he fears to prejudice his case at Geneva.

"I CANNOT GO FURTHER"

MOBILISATION URGED

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOR ABYSSINIA

M. LAVAL'S STATEMENT TO ITALY

EMPEROR RELUCTANT TO PREJUDICE CASE (Received September 18, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says the Emperor's advisers, convinced that the league plan will fail to effect a settlement, are urging him to proclaim immediate general mobilisation, explaining simultaneously that it is purely a precautionary measure justmed by Italy's expressed determination to make war. They declare that this is essential because of the continued rains and the consequent difficulty of moving iarge bodies of troops, rapidly from the water-logged valleys to the heights. The Emperor, however, is apparently at present reluctant to take any step likely to prejudice Abyssinia at Geneva.

NEW SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMITTEE (Received September 18, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. The Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says M. Laval, on his return from Paris, immediately resumed his peace efforts, seeing Baron Aloisi, Mr R. A. Eden, and Tecla Hawariat. 'When he parted from Baron Aloisi, he remarked: "You ought to think it over, for I really cannot go further." It is believed that M. Laval was referring to the new suggestions he will submit to the Committee of Five at its meeting to-day. THE SUB COMMITTEE S REPORT "EXTREME LIMIT OF LEAGUE'S POWERS" COUNCIL MAY NOT APPROVE GENEVA, September 16. The conciliation sub-committee has completed its draft report for consideration by the committee itself on Tuesday. The report safeguards Abyssinia's sovereign rights. A message from Paris states that the newspaper "Le Soir" attributes to a member of the sub-committee the statement that the report far exceeds the British and Fren?li proposals. It reaches the extreme limit of the league's powers, and raises doubt as to whether the other members of the council will agree to the recommendations. The Paris correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian" wonders how Abyssinia can accept such proposals, or even how the council can decently propose them to Abyssinia. It adds: "France will not refuse to subscribe to sanctions against Italy, though she will probably attempt to limit them to financial and economic sanctions." The Rome correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" understands that Signor Mussolini is dissatisfied with the proposals. He asks that Ogaden and Danakil should be given to Italy in exchange for portions of British and French Somaliland.

WAR PREPARATIONS IN ABYSSINIA GENERAL MOBILISATION IF GENEVA FAILS LONDON, September 16. The feeling at Addis Ababa is that should tba Conciliation Committee fail to solve the dispute Abyssinia can no longer delay mobilisation. The Emperor paid a surprise visit to the Women's Work Association, where 12 princesses and other women are preparing dressings and bandages. Belgium is recalling her officers who went to Abyssinia to serve in the Ethiopian Army. The strength of the Eritrean native troops, exclusive of the Assab region, is 53,000, in 30 battalions, with artillery and other services. One battalion and a camel corps are stationed at Agordat, while 30,000 Abyssinian irregular? L are prepared to attack the Aussa road in the event of war. These troops, with those under the Crown Prince of Dessye, are divided into four armies, each of which is ready to occupy the position left by the one in front. FREE STATE SUPPORT OF COVENANT i

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH REPORT TWO SECTIONS LIKELY (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIXELESS.) RUGBY, September 16. Forecasts of the contents of the conciliation sub-committee's report indicate that a general survey of the position and comments on the Italian memorandum and the Abyssinian reply will be contained in the first part of the report. Definite recommendations based, it is understood, on a modification of the Paris proposals, will be embodied in the second part, which will set out machinery for affording economic assistance, and suggest the territorial and administrative changes contempicitsd When the Committee of Five has received this report, the next step v.-ill probably be for it to consult the other members of the council, aport from the members who are a party -to the dispute. If it meets with the approval of the members of the council, the report will be submitted to Italy and Abyssinia. On receiving the replies of the delegates representing these nations, the report will be referred back to the council, which will decide the subsequent procedure. Hitherto, the action taken has proceeded without reference to any particular article in the covenant of the league. Press reports from Ger~va contemplate that if Italy rejects the report the council will then proceed on the lines laid down in Article ,15. Forecasts of the report suggest that the part dealing with conditions in Abyssinia will reveal a more urgent need of assistance than was found in Liberia, when the league recently took that task in hand. No arrangements have so far been made for the return to Geneva of Sir Samuel Hoare.

MR DE VALERA'S STRIKING ADDRESS APPEAL FOR RIGHTS OF SMALLER NATIONS GENEVA, September 16. The correspondent of the Associated Press at Geneva says when Mr de Valera addressed the League Assembly, his fiery, almost religious delivery, held the delegates rapt, while he added perhaps the most striking appeal yet uttered in the Assembly for the rights of the smaller nations against imperialism. He came solidly against Signor Mussolini with a pledge that the Irish Free State would support collective action. "By our own choice we entered the covenant's obligations and we shall fultf.l them to the letter and the spirit," he said. "If the sovereignty of 'the weakest is not inspected, if there is picking and choosing when, to apply a law, then the league is useless." Mr de Valera spoke with bitter irony of the Peace Conference which would follow war, when a settlement would be reached because the parties were ruined and exhausted, and he appealed for a relaxation of conservatism regarding colonial possessions, before the slaughter began. General Nemours, the Haitian delegate, appealed to the league, as a representative of a coloured nation, not to draw the colour line against Abyssinia. He declared that all coloured people trusted in the spirit of justice and peace inspiring the league members. Dr. Don Galileo Solis, the Panama delegate, also supported the Covenant.