STILL HOPEFUL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 254, 24 July 1935, Page 9

STILL HOPEFUL

British Ministers and War Threat PROBABLE ATTITUDE Will Stand By Covenant If Others Do FRENCH SUPPORT LIKELY By 'Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright (Received July 23, 10 p.m.) London, July 23. The political correspondent of "The Times" says that Mr. Anthony Eden will go to Geneva during the week-end or early next week, but the date of the League council meeting is not yet fixed. In the meantime discussions are proceeding at Paris, Rome and London. British Ministers now feel more con lident that when the council meets France will be prepared to back up Britain’s efforts for a peaceful settlement. They believe that M. Laval realises as they do that if the present position is allowed to drift into war no European treaties can be regarded as safe. Tfiev arc still hopeful that war inav be avoided by collective action of ’the Powers. If that hope is,not realised then they arc determined that every effort must be made to localise its effects to the greatest possible extent.

It is generally felt tlia.t the British Government’s attitude was . correctly described by Sir Austen Chamberlain a fortnight ago, when lie said: “In the last resort we will have to make our decision at the council table at Geneva and there take the risk of saying, ‘We are prepared to fulfil our obligations under the convenant if others will do the same.’ We ought to say that openly to the council, even at the risk that others may refuse." The Paris correspondent of "'The Times” states that the British Ambassador at Paris, Sir George Clerk, acquainted the French Premier. M Laval, with the British Cabinet decisions regarding Abyssinia. It is understood that Britain fully supports the League Covenant, which necessitates early serious French decisions. Lord Cecil has published a statement that Britain is impressed with the urgency of preventing any further weakening of the League system. Signor Mussolini’s exaltation of war, he says, attacks the very foundations of Western civilisation. British opinion is impartial, but recognises the dangers of war between the white and black races. The Secretary-General of the League, M. Avenol, will see M. Laval to-morrow. ABYSSINIA’S CASE Minister’s Address to English M.P.’s MUCH RECENT PROGRESS (Received July 23, 7.30 p.m.) London, July 23. Dr. Ajaz. Martin, the new Abyssinian Minister in London, suited his country’s case when members of the House of Commons of all parties entertained him at dinner. Dr. Martin declared that the root of the trouble was that while Italy, philanthropically desired to civilise Ethiopia’s backward people, the headstrong Ethiopians refused to be Italianised. The main question was whether Ethiopia needed annexation in order to progress. lie declared that domestic slavery, which was not the same as it had been in America, was almost halved. Trade had increased wonderfully. Legal administration had been vastly improved, the law had been codified, a special court of appeal for foreigners had been established and punishments modified. Proper prisons had been built and prisoners were better treated.

Tbe general administration had been placed on a proper footing under to Ministers. The number of schools established by the Government was increasing. Hundreds of miles of roads and scores of bridges had been constructed and thousands of good bouses erected. The standard of living had increased tenfold and the people possessed ten times more knowledge of the outer world and other matters than they did 20 years ago. Most of this progress had occurred under the rule of the present sovereign. Ethiopia should be left peacefully to work out her own salvation and to attain a high standard of knowledge and civilisation. “Ethiopia is in sore travail and anxiety,’’ he said, “but Almighty God will deliver her from bloodshed and disorder through British fair play and the sympathy of all lovers of justice.’’ (Note on Page 7.) “WILL BE MASSACRE” Abyssinians Would Fight Desperately MINISTER’S STATEMENT

(Received July 23, 11.35 p.m.) Paris, July 23. “We will light in desperation and ruthlosslv. Men, women and children will defend juf independence. It will be a massacre,” replied Mr. Hawariat, Abyssinian Minister, in reply to a, question as to whether Signor .Mussolini js facing a stiller task than he imagines. He reiterated that Abyssinia would never surrender a strip of territory and hinted that special foreign interests justified special concessions but without preference for Italy. JAPAN ASSAILED Italian Press Attack London, July 22. The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says that the Press protests against Japan’s brazenness, imperialism and duplicity, and violently attacks her for organising the coloured races

against the white and provoking revolts in European colonies. The “Messagero” asserts that Japan is seeking to dominate the black and yellow races for her own ends.

The “Tribuna” quotes the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sugimura, as saying that Japan will appoint a Minister of Abyssinia in December. Mr. Sugimura asserts on his Ambassadorial honour that, the Japanese Government approves his statement and that Japan will observe neutrality in the event of an Ttaio-Ethiopian war. ARMS AND EQUIPMENT Purchases From Britain (British Ollicia) Wireless.) Rugby, July 22. At. question time in the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel IToare, stated that he hoped to be in a position shortly to make a full statement on the whole subject of the purchase in Great Britain of arms and equipment by the Ethiopian and Italian Governments.