FRANCE READY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 9

FRANCE READY

Support For Britain In Abyssinian Dispute

LEAGUE JURISDICTION

Mussolini More Willing to Negotiate SOBERING FACTORS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright (Received July 24. 7.45 p.m.) London, July 23. The Paris correspondent of "The Tinies’’ says that France will support Britain’s efforts to keep the Abyssinian dispute within League jurisdiction. Signor Mussolini has been sobered by the General Stall's anxieties and the difficulties of keeping the lira on gold, also Japanese opposition. He may not deliver an irreparable blow until every other possibility is exhausted. A meeting of the League of Nations Council between July 25 and August 2 to consider the Abyssinian situation was virtually decided on at a conference at Paris this morning between Sir George Clerk, British Ambassador, and JI. Laval, the Premier. The choice of date rests with JI. Litvinoff, Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs. The political correspondent of "The Times” says that Article 15 of the Covenant, on which the League Council’s action negarding the Italo-Abys-sinia dispute is expected to be based, provides for submission to the League by both parties to the dispute of a full statement of their respective cases. It is hoped that the Italian Government will be persuaded of the advantage of making such a statement.

The “Manchester Guardian’s” political correspondent points out that while Britain strongly holds that the council should consider the dispute as a whole and not merely the Ualual incident, France has not yet accepted this view, though there is reason to believe that 21. Laval shares it.

The correspondent adds: When the dispute conies before Hie council Italy will be hound by Art icle 12 of the covenant either (o accept arbitration or inquiry- by the council and to refrain from war for the time being. If she refuses she will have defied the League, causing a critical situation, for the League will then have io decide what steps, if any. shall be taken to uphold the covenant and its authority. The "Daily Mail” asserts that the prevailing British Cabinet view is that a settlement would more easily be reached after hostilities started. As a result of the exchanges which have taken place, it is now authoritatively stated that a close agreement exists lietween the French and British Governments in regard Io the efforts they are making to obtain a peaceful solution of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, a British official wireless message states.

It is widely hoped that at the League Council meeting which is to be held next week thorough ventilation of the issues involved will reveal the lines upon which such solution may be sought. It will be for members of the council to decide upon tlie agenda, but while tiie incident at Ualual will in all probability be the first dealt with, it is considered almost certain tiiat the council will thereafter desire to consider the dispute in all its aspects. EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY Addis Ababa Celebrations ITALIAN MINISTER ABSENT London, July 23. The Italian Minister at Addis Ababa, Count Vinci Gigliucei, alleging hostility in the Emperor’s recent speech, absented himself from the Emperor Selassie’s birthday celebrations, though the Emperor of Japan cabled greetings. Anti-Japanese demonstrations broke out in Milan, Genoa, Turin, and Bologna. The newspaper "Messagero” says that Japanese mentality alone is comparable with that, of Abyssinia for hypocrisy and bad faith. Japan is the enemy of Europe, America and the white race. The Italian attitude is resented in Japan, but Tokio refuses to comment. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” states that a salvo of 21 guns announcing the Emperor’s fortyfifth birthday awoke the city, and the streets were early packed with armed soldiers and chiefs. The Imperial Guard marched to the Gibbs Gates, where the Emperor, arrayed in a black cape embroidered in scarlet and gold, and wearing the golden collar of Solomon, entered the throne room. The long slopes to the palace' wore packed with the modernised Imperial Guard, and military chiefs and other officers carried both rifles and spears. The only great Governor present was Bidoded Makonnen, of Wallega, in the far west, whose province is not threatened, others having been commanded to remain at their posts. The Ethiopians, whose etiquette is most formal, regard Count. Gigliucci’s absence gravely. A message was received from King George.

The Emperor presided In tiie banqueting hall over a meat feast for 5000 soldiers, and devoted the remainder of the afternoon to watching patrioticplays. lie gave a dinner followed by a reception in the evening. A decree issued by the Emperor forbids mutilation of prisoners.

(Note on Page 7.)

NOT DEVALUATION

Gold Cover Suspension (Received July 24, 7.45 pan.) London, July 23. The Home correspondent; of "The Times” says that experts declare that the suspension of the gold cover does not imply devaluation. The Government intends to reconstitute gold reserves at the earliest possible time and will meet all engagements. A British official wireless message Mates that the lira, which depreciated to 65 J following news of the Italian

Government's decree regarding the note cover, later rallied and closed at 6.1 11-10ths. EXPORT OF ARMS Japanese Agents Active (Received July 24, 7.45 p.m.) Geneva, July 23. Japanese agents are rushing quantities of arms and ammunition to Djibouti, realising that the treaty arrangements with France guarantee freedom of traffic.

Signor Virglnio Gayda, editor of the Home paper ‘‘Popolo d’ltalia,” declares that if England permits the export of arms to Abyssinia Italy will remember it as an act of hostility. MISSIONARIES WARNED Evacuation of Families (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 23. Missionary societies in London have been warned by the Government that British missionaries "’ho are scattered in very remote districts of Abyssinia should be advised to concentrate In the neighbourhood of Addis Ababa. The missionaries affected, with their wives and families, number less than 100, and if they desire that their wives ami families should leave the country ••uitable arrangements will be made for their departure.