NO LICENSES ISSUED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 256, 26 July 1935, Page 11

NO LICENSES ISSUED

Arms For Abyssinia or Italy

POSITION OF BRITAIN

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, July 24

At question time in the House of Commons to-day the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, repeated his promise to make a statement shortly on the whole subject of the supply of arms to Italy and Abyssinia, and it is genetally expected that he will do so within the next day or two. He stated that lie was not in a position to say what action had been taken by Belgium, Czechoslovakia,. and ocher countries, but according to his information France had prohibited the export of war material to Italy and Abyssinia, while the Swedish Government had as yet received no applications for export licenses.

The President of the Board oi Trade. Mr. Walter Ruiieiiiian, stated that no license whatever had been issued for the export of arms to either Italy or Ethiopia during the past four months.

Not at any time since the signing of the Treaty of 1930 between the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, France and Italy has any difference in treatment been given to Italy and Ethiopia, except as arises from the provisions of the Treaty itself that the importation of arms and munitions of war and aircraft into Ethiopia is subject to the production of an export license issued by the country of export after the presentation to its authorities of an authorisation by the Ethiopian Government for import into Ethiopia. According to the newspapers, such an authorisation by the Abyssinian Government has not been forthcoming in the case of orders which some British firms are understood to have received for delivery to Abyssinia. PAPER’S OUTBURST Accusation Against Britain (Received July 25. 8.10 p.m.) Turin, J uiy 25. The newspaper “Stampa” says: The first Italian shot with a British bullet will die cursing Britain's insatiable lust for gain, but Italy will be avenged. Noting men are burning with war fever, and believe Britain herself wants Abyssinia. Anti-British posters are becoming plentiful. TROOPS AND AIRMEN Foreigners to Fight For Abyssinia

London, July 24. The Vienna correspondent of “The Times” quotes an evening newspaperstatement that Austrian Legionnaires, preferring Africa to their present existence in German concentration camps, will fight for Abyssinia, and that several of them embarked from Bremen. The newspaper denies that. Dr. Sehuschnigg, the Chancellor, intends thousands of Storm Troops to go to Africa to reinforce tiie Italians in the event of war.

Nice advices state that four British and eight French-American aviators are going to Abyssinia in August. The leader, Hal Duberrier, of Chicago, says that they will constitute the nucleus of a foreign air force and that they will have German and Dutch aeroplanes awaiting them on their arrival. The enterprise has wealthy private backers.