ITALIAN STAND

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 11

ITALIAN STAND

Pressure For Lifting Of Sanctions INTIMATION TO EDEN Question of Continued League Membership GOOD RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN DESIRED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received May 20, 7.35 pm.) London, May 28. The “Daily Mail's’’ political correspondent says: “At Signor Mussolini’s request, Signor Grandi. Italian Ambassador, visited Mr. Eden, Foreign Secretary, and intimated that if sanctions continued Italy would have to consider her League membership, also the extent to which she could co-operate in the future settlement of European affairs. The lifting of sanctions would; tn the Italian Government’s opinion, relieve the present European situation and produce a means for stabilising conditions and establishing the peace which the Powers desired. Italy had no aggressive intentions. The restoration of good relations between Italy and Britain was Signor Mussolini’s main object. Mr. Edeh replied that while Britain desired to eujoy good relations with Italy, the raising of sanctions was a League matter. Nevertheless, he undertook to communicate Signor Grandi’s statement to Cabinet. In regard to Signor Mussolini’s statement to the “Daily Telegraph,” semiofficial circles at Rome consider that the cause of conciliation is likely to be best served by not pressing for repeal of sanctions and that it would be better to allow them to die a natural death than to risk a premature unsuccessful demand for repeal at Geneva. Italy is therefore unlikely to send a delegation. Italian propaganda in Palestine is vigorously denied. It is also stated that Britain is free to keep her troops and legation at Addis Ababa if she desires, as Italy most seriously desires an entente with Britain The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says that the Government has approved of a scheme by the Fascist Mercantile Federation for the economic development of Abyssinia, embodying the dispatch by air to-day of a commercial mission to examine problems on the spot, open emporiums, and establish warehouses. The army is placing elementary municipal services on a working basis. A column of 1000 | lorries laden with equipment has left Makale for Addis Ababa.

ITALY IN NEAR EAST

Alleged Plan to Undermine Britain’s Position Paris, Maj’ 28. “L’Oeuvre” understands that Whitehall has received detailed reports of Italy’s Intention secretly to continue the attempi to undermine Britain’s position in the Near East, and adds that Britain is negotiating with Greece and Turkey for naval bases in the East Mediterranean.

SELASSIE’S JOURNEY

(British Official Wireless.) Ktigbj’, May 28. The Emperor of Abyssinia will reach Mbraltar to-morrow after bis 2000 miles journey across the Mediterranean from Haifa in the British cruiser Cane Town. It is expected that he will spend two nights at Gibraltar, and he may decide, if bo so desires, to remain aboard the cruiser in the harbour pending the arrival of the Orient liner Orford, in which be will continue the journey to England.