THE OIL PROBLEM

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 9

THE OIL PROBLEM

VITAL TO ITALY MAY BE LEVER FOR PEACE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 2. . The ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ in an editorial, says: “The prime object of oil sanctions is not to produce an Italian disaster—that is the last thing desired —but to press Signor Mussolini to call off the campaign on reasonable terms.” The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Paris correspondent says: “ M. Laval, during the conversation with Signor Cerutti, explained that France could not avoid common action on oil sanctions- with other Powers, but suggested that, if Italy offered to halt her troops on a given line in Abyssinia pending a continuance of peace negotiations, which could then be actively pushed on a postponement of. oil sanctions might be possible.” M. LAVAL'S EFFORTS LONDON, December 2. The newspapers are again giving prominence to M. Laval’s attempts to secure peace, to which new interest has been given by the ‘ Morning Post’s ’ report that Sir Samuel Hoare will shortly spend a brief holiday on the Continent, and is expected to visit M. Laval and other statesmen next week to discuss the oil embargo and the possibility of fruitful peace talks, ITALY ALARMED LONDON, December 2. The ‘ Manchester Guardian’s ’ Paris correspondent says ‘ Le Temps ’ prints a message from Rome suggesting that “Italy is thoroughly frightened over the oil embargo, and accordingly is prepared to negotiate.” Nevertheless, the Committee of Eighteen must be satisfied that such negotiations are genuine and not merely an attempt to postpone a decision on oil sanctions, FRANCE’S WARNING EFFECTIVE LONDON, December 1. The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says: “ The fact that on second thoughts Signor Mussolini is prepared to regard an oil embargo as no more than evidence of unfriendliness has caused general relief. While Rome denies that there was ever any question of treating the extension of sanctions as a casus belli, informed opinion here has -known, better. Support for the belief that M. Laval has not minced words in his warning to Signor Cerutti that an attack on Britain would bring France to her side is shown in the firmer tone of the newspapers in the last 48 hours.”—London ‘Times’ Cable. MUSSOLINI'S COMPLAINT ROME, December 1. “An operating theatre in which Italy is being vivisected,” was the description applied to the League by Signor Mussolini when addressing a committee of war mothers from 94 provinces which is conducting a house to bouse anti-sanctionist campaign. Diplomats representing sanctionist countries have been notified that they must pay 5s 3d a gallon for petrol instead of the present diplomatically privileged price of Is Bd. EMPEROR ON NORTHERN FRONT LONDON, December 1. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Dessye correspondent says Emperor Selassie arrived -and was enthusiastically welcomed at the northern front headquarters. He reiterated that if necessary he would join the warriors in the line. Monks and priests led the natives in singing the Psalms of David throughout the night, prior to the Emperor’s arrival. ABYSSINIAN ATTACK EXPECTED DESERTION OF SOMALI TROOPS CAUSING CONCERN TO ITALIANS. LONDON, December 2. (Received December 3, at 11.55 a.m.) The indications are that Marshal Badoglio will not be long permitted to carry out reorganisation of the northern front undisturbed, as it is reported that a constant stream of Abyssinians is advancing from Dessus to attack Marshal Badoglio’s armies. The ‘ Manchester Guardian ’ says a mass air attack on Jijiga is daily expected. The Italians, without result, sliowered huge bombs 70in long and weighing lOOlb's on Dagabur. Many failed to explode. One Italian plane dropped 23 in a fruitless effort to kill one Abyssinian soldier. Sir Pereival Phillips, writing from Djibuti, says the desertions of Somali troops are causing concern to the Italian high command. Two detachments holding advanced posts last week fled panic-stricken, believing that large forces were behind the small Abyssinian raiding parties. The Somalis are also reported to be deserting to the Abyssinians owing to their unwillingness to endure further hardships of the desert campaign. General Gra/.iani has been forced extensively to alter the composition of his forces, using Europeans instead of Moslems, who are observing Ramadan, when they fast all day, and accordingly are unable to fulfil their i jisoal duties,,

CANADIAN POLICY GENEVA, December 1. M. Vaseoncellos, referring to the Canadian repudiation of initiative in oil and other possible sanctions, expressed the opinion that the work of the Committee of Eighteen would not be affected. The first indication of a change in the Canadian policy was noticed a few days ago, when the delegation requested that the oil embargo should not be described as a Canadian proposal. Other delegates are surpi'ised at the Ottawa announcement. ACTING PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS OTTAWA, December 1. According to a statement by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Ernest Lapointe) to-night. Dr Walter Riddell was expressing his own personal opinion and not the views of the Canadian Government when he suggested on November 2 at Geneva to the League of Nations committee that sanctions against Italy should be extended to include oil and coal by-products, and iron and steel. Mr Laponte said that Mr Mackenzie King announced on October 29 that Canada would comply with the financial and economic sanctions programme set forth by the League Co-ordination Committee. He added: “ The Government it not taking, and does not propose to take, the initiative in proposing an extension of measures with regard to the prohibition of exports to Italy.” HARRAR TO BE EVACUATED GENEVA, December 2. (Received December 3, at 11.25 a.m.) The Abyssinian Foreign Minister informed the League that in order to spare the civilian population and foreigners from possible air bombardment the Emperor had decided that all troops should evacuate Harrar, which would be used solely as a base for wounded from Ogaden. SUBMISSION OF TIGRE ASMARA, December 2. (Received December 3, at 1.5 p.m.) It is officially stated that Colonel Gheremedin Hagos, representing Tigre in the Abyssinian Parliament, who made submission at Adowa, claimed as proof of the fruitfulness of Italian political penetration, that all Tigre was now reported to have submitted. ITALY’S " PLEBISCITE OF GOLD ” ROME, December 2. (Received December 3, at 1.5 p.m.) King Victor Emanuel has contributed to the “ plebiscite of gold ” which is spreading throughout Italy in aid of the anti-sanctionist campaign, by sending a substantial offering of gold and silver, plate. Women widowed by fhe Great War and mothers who lost their sons are urging married women to surrender their wedding rings, for which they are arranging ceremonies on December 18 at every war memorial in Italy. BRITAIN'S ANXIETY ! FOR PEACE LONDON, December 2. (Received December 3, at 1.30 p.m.) The ‘Sun-Herald’ says: Though there is not the slightest weakening in the British attitude to oil sanctions, in conformity with League obligations, the position after a special meeting of the Cabinet is that if they can be avoided Britain will avoid them. A further attempt to initiate peace overtures will be made prior to the Committee of Eighteen’s oil meeting on December 12.