NOTHING TO FEAR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 7

NOTHING TO FEAR

Mussolini’s Assurance To Britain

SANCTIONS PROBLEM

Italy Will Wage European

War if Necessary

(Received August 29, 7.30 p.m.) Bolzano, August 29. A communique issued after the Cabinet meeting states that Signor Mussolini declared that Britain had nothing to fear from the Italian policy in Abyssinia. “Italy does not wish to have differences with'•Britain, with whom, in wartime, then at Locarno and Stresa, collaboration of undoubted importance for European stability was achieved.”

It adds that Italy will present a declaration at Geneva on September 4 defining ber position as regards the Abyssinian problem, also a longer memorandum dealing with the history of Italian-Abyssinian relations. The communique also refers to sanctions the League might take, saying: “Cabinet proclaims to the Italian nation and other nations that there may be certain sanctions which might lead to the gravest complications. Cabinet declares itself convinced that at the League meeting there will be found a group of responsible men who will reject any odious and dangerous proposal of sanctions.” ' Meeting Possible Sanctions.

The communique, which contained over 1000 words, also recalls that In much more serious cases, the Leagute neither voted nor had been in a position to apply sanctions of any kind. Nevertheless, the problem of sanctions kad been examined by the highest Italian military authorities in . all its aspects, especially the possibility of special sanctions of a military character and decisions and measures necessary to confront them had already been taken “Italy’s dispute is with Abyssinia She has not. and does not want, a dispute with Britain. Italy does not threaten directly or indirectly British Imperial interests.”

The communique emphasises tha‘ the memorandum Italy is submitting to the League Council will make it clear that ever since the Treaty of Uccialli Italy’s colonial priority in Abyssinia has always been recognised.

The communione finally enumerates flnaneiM and other measures, which, the "Daily Mail” correspondent points out, is clearly calculated to put Italy in a position to wage if necessary a European war.

Most important is a decree for unconditional confiscation of all foreign credits held by Italian subjects and the forced conversion of all foreign securities and Italian bonds issued abroad held by them into nine-year 5 per cent. Italian Treasury bonds. Tax on Dividends.

A further measure lays down that for a period of three years no industrial commercial company can pay a dividend exceeding 6 per cent Al) dividends will be subject to a 10 per cent, tax.

The position regarding food supplies is described as satisfactory owing to the abundant harvest, but it is added that future industrial importations of a civil character must be subordinated to the nation’s military needs. The meeting of the Fascist Cabinet lasted 45 minutes The manoeuvres ended at midday with an anticipated victory for the national forces, which stormed and cap tured the Mendola Pass and thus were able to train artillery on the Bolzano Valley, held by the “enemy” forces If is understood that the Duce Informed Cabinet that Italy Is ready militarily, financially, and morally Tor any eventuality, either in Africa or elsewhere, and explained that Italy had tried every means to obtain a peaceful settlement in . Abyssinia, whose , acts of aggression had raised the question whether she was fit to be a member of the league It Is understood that Cabinet ap proved the Duce’s foreign policy as outlined in recent Interviews. The “Daily Mail’s” Bolzano correspondent states that the measures enumerated in the communique will operate on September 1.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE

Dominion Anglican Ch arches

Sunday next has been set apart by Archbishop Averill. Primate of New Zealand, as a day of special prayer for peace in Anglican churches in accordance with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s call for prayer for a bloodless solution of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute.