BARBAROUS COUNTRY

Evening Star, Issue 22084, 18 July 1935, Page 9

BARBAROUS COUNTRY

ITALIAN'S COMMENTS ON ABYSSINIA WORLD SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO ITALY Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 17. The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says: Dr Gayda’s latest article confirms the impression that Italy will be content only with complete mastery in Abyssinia. It declares; “No Government, still less the League, can intervene except to expel Abyssinia from the comity of nations. The Abyssinian pistol is pointed at Italy’s side and must be unloaded for ever. Italy does not desire to provoke the League’s destruction or refuse to recognise the League system of peace and confidence in international relations, but this system, with its rights and duties, applies only to civilised nations and excludes slavery, raiding, and traffic in men. Instead •of turning towards lands already civilised by others’ labour, Italy is turning towards territory that is barbarous and slave owning, forbids productive initiative, and sacrifices its natural riches, restrains commerce, and threatens its neighbours. ‘ All the world ought to be grateful to Italy.” Dr Gayda’s article may be described as a semi-official reply to the question of what Italy wants.

The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Naples correspondent says the aircraft carrier Miraglia, with 24 aeroplanes and 80 pilots aboard, sailed for East Africa. General Valle, Under-Secretary for Air, at a farewell function announced that 300 more bombers would be despatched shortly, meaning that Italy would then have between 500 and 600 bombers and reconnoitring planes for use against the Abyssinians. General Valle will probably be in supreme command. ABYSSINIA STANDS FIRM RELYING ON THE LEAGUE. LONDON, July 17. Teela Hawarist, the Abyssinian Ambassador and delegate to the League, declares that Abyssinia will decisively reject any proposal to create a mandat© for a protectorate for Italy. “ Abyssinia entered the League in order to experience the benefits of civilisation and justice, and l it is because we expect the League to act that no European volunteers have been enrolled in our army. The Abyssinian Legation has refused thousands of offers from British,' French, and Belgian ex-servicemen, and from former Dutch, Swedish, and Polish officers.” NEUTRAL OBSERVERS

ABYSSINIA’S REQUEST. RUGBY, July 17, (Received July 18, at noon.)

In reply to a ripple of questions in the House of Commons regarding the request of the Abyssinian Government for the appointment by the League of Nations of neutral observers to be sent to frontiers between the Italian colonies and Abyssinia, and the attitude of the British Government on the matter. Sir Samuel Hoare said the request had been communicated by the Secretary-General of the League to His Majesty’s Government and other members of the Council, who no doubt would be called upon to consider it at the Council’s next meeting. “It would not be proper for me,” added the Minister, “to disclose beforehand the attitude which the British representative will take up or to attempt to prejudice the decision which, after taking into consideration all information before it, the Council may see fit to take.”

LEAGUE COUNCIL TO MEET x GENEVA, July 17. M. Avenol (Secretary-General of the League of Nations) has advised that the League Council will meet between July 25 and August 2 to discuss the Abyssinian dispute. THE SLAVERY ARGUMENT EMPEROR’S REPLY TO ITALIAN ALLEGATION. LONDON, July 17. (Received July 18, at 11.30 a.m.) The Addis Ababa correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that the Emperor, in an exclusive interview, said •he desired League discussion by July 25, before which he was not taking diplomatic steps, but would nevertheless reply to any direct suggestions from Britain. He acknowledged the value of the 1906 treaty as an instrument of pacification, but Britain was the only co-signatory which now mentioned its application, and in face of Signor Mussolini’s actions it seemed valueless. The Emperor was delighted with the attitude of Sir Samuel Hoare and Captain Eden, and was not averse to a free hand for Britain in any constructive peace effort. If Italy’s argument for conquest of Abyssinia was civilisation, slavery was not limited to Abyssinia, but flourished in Tripoli and Eritrea, which Italians could not deny. The treaty of 1931 allowed Abyssinia to import arms in order to maintain her independence, but she could not do so ■if Italy was allowed to send munitions while Abyssinian licenses were withheld. If Italy declared war, or troops dared to cross the frontiers, Ethiopia would fight, simultaneously appealing to the League.—London ‘ Times ’ Cable.