SANCTIONS TO BE DROPPED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 9

SANCTIONS TO BE DROPPED

DECISION OF LEAGUE ASSEMBLY FAILURE OF ABYSSINIA’S LAST APPEAL EMPEROR REORGANISING HIS MILITARY FORCES (CHITED FUSS ASSOCIATIOS— COPTBIOHT.) (Received July 5, 9.35 p.m.) GENEVA, July 4. With only Ras Nasibu’s loudly ejaculated “No” as opposition, the League Assembly adopted a resolution closing the Italo-Abyssinian affair after listening to a last desperate Ethiopian appeal, read on behalf of Ras Nasibu, who represented the Emperor. Has Nasibu demanded a straight yes or no on the Abyssinian plea that the league should not recognise the annexation of Abyssinia. He declared that the Ethiopian Government had repeatedly denounced the aggressor’s proposed bargain that he would collaborate in European affairs if his victim were abandoned to her fate. He reminded the assembly of its position in the eyes of the world, and appealed for confirmation of the vote last year condemning Italy as the aggressor. Ras Nasibu added: “The proposed resolution will not satisfy Ethiopia. We know nothing of the subtleties of procedure, but do demand that the assembly give an unequivocal vote. The Italians have occupied only half of Abyssinia. Armies were assembling elsewhere to march against the invaders.”

, I The final text of the resolution, 1 i reached after many hours’ discus- ; sion, recognised the various circumstances which prevented the integral application of the covenant, to which the assembly was firmly attached, as it was also to other declarations, including the South American States’ declaration of 1932 excluding the settlement of territorial questions by force. The resolution added: “The assembly is persuaded of the necessity of increasing the efficacy of security guarantees and invites governments to forward proposals with a view to perfecting, within the above limits, the application of the principles of the covenant, on which the secretary will report to the assembly next session.” The resolution also proposed, in view of the situation resulting from the Italo-Abyssinian conflict, that the Committee of Co-ordination make the proposals necessary to end the measures adopted in execution of Article XVI. This is tantamount to the dropping of sanctions. Panama’s Comment The Panama delegate declared that the resolutions were timid and not worth referring to his Government. He added that a mountain in labour had brought forth a mouse. The assembly adopted the bureau’s report that the Ethiopian demand for thd non-recognition of the annexation was covered by the resolution in more general terms, and that demands for loans had already been rejected on previous occasions. The president (M. Paul van Zeeland), closing the meeting, said the assembly had passed through the narrowest and darkest passage in its history on the long journey towards world peace. He condoled with the delegates in their difficult and ungrateful task, and paid a tribute to the loyalty with which sanctions were carried out. M. van Zeeland added: “We have no reason to reproach ourselves, but must give attention to the future. The league must continue.” The assemblv -will meet on September 21. The Abyssinians departed deiected in looks and feelings. It is probably the last time they will attend the league. The co-ordination committee will meet on Monday regarding the lifting of sanctions. It is believed that it will recommend a date between July 10 and July 15. i . , The assembly adopted the resolution by 44 votes to one, Abyssinia alone opposing it. South Africa, Chile, Panama, and Venezuela abstained from voting. Mexico did not attend the assembly. The Abvssinian request for a loan of £ 10,000,000 was rejected by 23 votes to one. There were 25 abstentions. It is uncertain whether Haile Selassie or Ras Nasibu will be the speaker at the annual meeting of the league in September. Haile Selassie has advised the league secretariat that all communications to the Ethiopian Government should be directed to the legation in London. He announces that in his absence a government has been established at Gore, under Wolde Sadik. The Emperor adds that Ras Imru is reorganising the military forces of the empire. Regional Pacts

Speaking yesterday, Senor Barcia, whose speech was so tragically interrupted, urged that the covenant did not need reform, but practice In the spirit in which it was applied. M. Delbos (France) said that economic and financial measures alone would not stop war. The community must bring all the means at its disposal, including force, into action at the outset. ‘“The solution lies in new regional pacts or in strengthening the existing ones,” he said. “The league still merits confidence. It has not succeeded because the weapons of the covenant were not used to their full effect.” Miss Herstin Hesselgrin (Sweden), the only woman speaker, said; “Women throughout the world are suffering intense anguish from the danger of war. How can • women wish to bear children in a world which is so hope'ess. You will get the women’s collaboration wholeheartedly if you work for peace.”