THE PEACE PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 145, 16 December 1935, Page 11

THE PEACE PLAN

WHITE PAPER ISSUED

INSTRUCTIONS TO AMBASSADORS

AUTHORS' POINT

WILL DUCE NEGOTIATE?

(British Official Wireless.) (Received December 16, noon.) RUGBY, December 15. A White Paper issued by the Government in anticipation of Thursday's House of Commons debate contains, in addition to the text of the proposals drafted in Paris as a basis for negotiations for a settlement of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute which were published last night in Geneva, instructions sent by the Foreign Secretary to the British Ambassador in Rome and the»British Minister in Addis Ababa 1 on December 10 regarding the proposals and their submission to the Italian and Ethiopian Governments. These are preceded by the report of the League Committee of Five of September 18 last and the respective replies thereto of the Italian and Ethiopian representatives, and by a telegram from Sir Samuel Hoare at Geneva describing the session of the Co-ordination Committee on November 2, at which the efforts of the French and British Governments to promote a settlement of the conflict were welcomed. The White Paper ends with the texts of the speeches delivered by M. Laval and Mr. Eden in the Committee of Eighteen on Thursday. INSTRUCTIONS TO AMBASSADORS. In the telegrams of December 10 the British representatives were instructed to make, jointly with their French colleagues, a communication to Signor Mussolini and the Emperor which in each case begins by stating that before the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen arranged for December 12 the British and French Governments, acting in accordance with the wishes expressed in the Co-ordination Committee on November 2, and being anxious to see an early end put to the Italo-Abyssinian conflict, "have endeavoured to draw up a basis of agreement." In the telegram to Rome the Governments give an assurance of their anxiety "to take account of Italian aspirations in so far as these can be made compatible with the principles of the Covenant of the League of Nations and respect for Ethiopian sovereignty." In both communications they state "they are convinced that an arrangement to be come to should be drawn up under the direction of the Committee of Five, which received from the Council of the League of Nations in September last its mandate of conciliation, and they have decided to make certain suggestions urgently to that Committee." They add that in order to make sure that Signor Mussolini and the Emperor would accept a basis of negotiations "in without prejudice to the result of the discussions which would subsequently take place before the Committee," they are communicating proposals to them in strict confidence. These proposals are set out in an annex, the text of which is already known. AN URGENT APPEAL. Convinced that Signor Mussolini and the Emperor will appreciate the friendly spirit which inspired their communication, the Governments address to each of them an urgent appeal that "he should without delay take part in negotiations for improving the international situation with most favourable prospects." To Rome they joined to this appeal a statement that "they hope the reply of the Italian Government may reach them within a period which in view of the imminence of the meetings at Geneva may be as short as possible. If, as they hope, this reply in principle is favourable, the Frencn and United Kingdom Government will immediately take the necessary steps in order that the Committee of Five may be called together on December 12. In that case the meeting of the Committee might modify the object of the Committee of Eighteen, which is fixed for the same day. "Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Pierre Laval attach the greatest importance to learning at the same time from Signor Mussolini whether he is ready to arrange for the collaboration of the Italian Government with the Committee of Five." The appeal to the Emperor was reinforced in the following terms:— "They hope his Majesty will let them know as soon as possible whether he agrees to negotiate on these conditions and is ready to arrange for the

collaboration of the Ethiopian Government with the Committee of Five." OUTLET TO THE SEA. Botli telegrams conclude with a reference to the proposal that Abyssinia should have an outlet to the sea, and the^ representatives are advised that if the solution suggested of the cession by Italy of the port of Assab and a corridor thereto would in their view militate against acceptance of the basis, they may say, failing such an arrangement: "The Government of the United Kingdom and the French Government are prepared to facilitate Ethiopia's access to the sea in the manner which they stated to the Committee of Five.' The Foreign Secretary sent an additional telegram to Sir Sydney Barton in which the latter was instructed to use his utmost influence to induce the Emperor to give careful and favourable consideration to the proposals and on no account lightly to reject them. The message adds: "I feel sure he will give further proof of his statesmanship by realising the advantage of the opportunity of negotiation which they afford."