EFFECT OF SANCTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1935, Page 9

EFFECT OF SANCTIONS

POSSIBLE DEFEAT

VIGOROUS ECONOMIES

DIFFICULTIES IN TIGRE

United Press Association—by Electric Tele

craph—Copyright.

(Received November 27, noon.)

LONDON, November 26.

Things that are being said in many quarters suggest that Italy's oil problem is, of vital concern in military circles in Rome. According to the "Daily Telegraph" they express the opinion that if America placed an embargo on petrol the war would end within six or eight weeks.

The "News-Chronicle's" Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini is reported to.be eager for an Abyssinian settlement. If he could arrange it now while his armies arc victorious he would consent. He realises that, if the war continues for another month he will not be able to conduct it on the extravagant scale practised hitherto. He also knows that despite the gallant efforts of the people to resist sanctions, doubts and murmurings are beginning to be heard of the possibility of Italian defeat, and it is even for the first time suggested in the officially-inspired Press. TERRITORIAL RIGHTS. Thus writes Signor Virginio Gayda in the "Giornale d'ltalia": "If Italy is brought to her knees by increasingly severe sanctions, the fundamental question between Italy and Abyssinia will remain unsolved. The more unsatisfactory for Italy the solution of the conflict under the increasing pressure of sanctions, the more Italy will be entitled to demand of sanctionists to grant a solution in some other territory." Signor Virginio Gayda's allusion to the possibility of sanctions bringing Italy to her knees throws into prominence the economy campaign which is being vigorously conducted throughout Italy. The King's former chef has emerged from retirement and broadcasts nightly hints how to make inexpensive substitutes for meat on Tuesdays and .Wednesdays. Farmers have been ordered to devote attention to oilproducing seeds, and State factories are being erected to distil commercial alcohol from beet root. Soap is running short and the Government is experimenting with cheap substitutes. LACK OF WAR NEWS. Major-General Temperly, in the "Daily Telegraph," discusses the other side of the picture of the war front, from which the paucity of definite news is unprecedented, and mentions persistent rumours that the Italian supply system will break down behind Tigre, where the petrol consumption is terrific. Major-General Temperly expresses the opinion that Marshal Badoglio's first task will be to reduce the number of troops, and Signor Mussolini must be pondering whether he can win the war before sanctions' lose it.

The' "Manchester Guardian's" diplomatic writer says it is believed that Signor Mussolini is genuinely concerned over the future.

The "Daily Telegraph's" Rome correspondent says that diplomatic circles are watching the situation with intense anxiety and that all eyes are on England.