PEACE POSSIBILITIES

Evening Star, Issue 22203, 4 December 1935, Page 11

PEACE POSSIBILITIES

ITALO-ABYSSIHIAN WAR BRITAIN STILL HOPEFUL Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 3. The parliamentary correspondent of ‘The Times” says: “While Cabinet has decided that Britain is prepared to extend sanctions if' other nations act similarly, Ministers are still hopeful of a settlement.’’

The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ contradicts the report that the Cabinet is divided, and adds: “Ministers also dispussed the possibility of peace moves.” The ‘Daily Mail’s-’ Paris correspondent says: “During Sir Samuel Hoare’s visit M. Laval re-emphasised the French arguments for straining every nerve for peace before the oil embargo did irreparable damage, pointing out that European peace was worth some sacrifice, while idealism, involving the possibility of war, would be a fatal error for both the nations and the League.”

The ‘ News-Chronicle’s ’ Paris correspondent says: “ There is a possibility of a third postponement of the League meeting. M. Laval is desperately striving to induce Signor Mussolini to formulate peace proposals before December 12.” PR9PBSED OIL EMBARGO CANADA REPUDIATES INITIATIVE. NEW YORK, December 3. An Ottawa correspondent, in a despatch to the ‘ New York limes to-day, declares: “ The resentful conviction that Mr Walter Riddell had allowed Britain’s Geneva representatives to use him to pull England’s coals out of the fire is understood to have inspired the action of the Canadian Government in repudiating initiative for the oil embargo against Italy. The repeated references to the embargo as Canada’s proposal caused much ■(nervousness in Quebec, whoso FrenchCanadian population has always opposed participation in European ventures. Furthermore, Mr Lapointe argued during the campaign that to re-elect the Conservative Government was to increase the danger of Canada’s being embroiled in another war. This might not have found vent in repudiation of Mr Riddell’s action had it not been for the feeling that if an oil embargo was proposed it should have been done by Captain Eden as representing the Power principally concerned. Resentment has been privately expressed in certain influential circles that Mr Riddell aliowedh himself to be .used in Captain Eden’s game.” The correspondent adds, however, that Mr Lapointe’s statement has not commanded universal approval in Canada. League of Nation supporters are indignant, while what might be described as Imperialist opinion is expressed in a ‘Toronto Mail and Empire ’ leader headed ‘ls Ottawa Giving Comfort to Signor Mussolini?’ POLITICAL PHYSCHOLOGY / OTTAWA, December 2. The sanctions repudiation' was dictated largely by political physchology. Signor Mussolini’s threats of a bomb attack on the British navy if an oil embargo was imposed were regarded-as placing Canada in the position of having touched off the war spark if hostilities eventuated, especially as Canada exports no oil. ITALY PLEASED / . ROME, December 2, The Italian spokesman, welcoming the Canadian disavowal of sponsorship of the oil embargo, , suggested that unless some other country is ready to assume the unpleasant task of advancing the proposal it may not come before the Committee of Eighteen at its meeting on December 12. COUNTERING SANCTIONS ■ , , LONDON, December 3. The * Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says the 'directors of the Bank of Italy have placed £15,000 at Signor Mussolini’s disposal to fight sanctions and spend on winter relief. The Government’s -fears of increased unemployment when imported raw materials have been consumed and sanctions have killed foreign trade are reflected in instructions issued to employers for a general extension of the 40-hour week, with proportional payouts. They must employ as many people as possible, if only for two or three days a week, to enable the work to go round. The unemployed in large cities have been ordered to return to their native villages to till the soil, TRIESTE’S PRODUCTION SCHEME LONDON, December 3. (Received December 4, at 10.5 a.m.) The Trieste correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the Governor :of the Province of Trieste is distributing 700 pairs of'the best breed of rabbits for fur and flesh production among country families, who will give back to local organisations a couple of young ones to be passed on to other families. The system is to be extended to include poultry, sheep, and bees as part of the general scheme to con--1 tribute io the struggle against sanc--1

DAGABUR RAZED POPULATION DODGES AIR RAIDS ADDIS ABABA, December 3. (Received December 4, at 2 p.m.) The Crown Prince attended a service at the Basilica of St. George, who is the patron saint of Abyssinia. The people there expect St. George to slay the dragon (meaning Italy). Dr Hockman has returned from Dagabur for supplies. He says: “The entire population has learned to seek shelter in the bush and is never hit by bombs. The estimate of the total number of Abyssinian soldiers killed in the recent fighting in Eastern Ogaden is 40 in the battle and four from the air. Dogs always give the first warning. Poor old Dagabur, consisting originally of mud hiits, received hundreds of pounds of bombs from Signor Mussolini. Nothing remains to be bombed.” The Abyssinian forces are being liberally equipped with portable wireless sets, and these enable raids to be co-ordinated. Many sets were broken in transit from Europe and were repaired at Dessye by the sons of Dr Martin, the former Ethiopian Minister in London., ITALIAN FORCES IN LIBYA REORGANISATION PLANNED ROME, December .3.(Received December 4, at 2.30- p.m.) A decree announces the reorganisation of the Italian permanent forces in Libya which, at ordinary peace strength, will total 20,909 officers and men, of whom 13,017 are native soldiers.