PEACE MOVES

Evening Star, Issue 22204, 5 December 1935, Page 11

PEACE MOVES

NEW AVENUES OF APPROACH - ANGLO-FRENCH EFFORTS Pj ess Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 3. Renewed talk of peace plans in the face of oil sanctions against Italy fills the gap in the war news, which is confined to a small repulse of Abyssinian raiders and reports of a big imminent Abyssinian advance on Makale. Whitehall attaches importance to the meeting of Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Laval in Paris on Saturday. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ diplomatic correspondent understands that Sir Samuel Hoare will be the* bearer of proposals likely to reconcile the English and French views, enabling a better prospect of a settlement. M. Laval is also in a position to make definite suggestions to Sir Samuel Hoare as the result of recent contacts with Signor Mussolini.

The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ mentions the belief that Britain is inclined to favour a plan whereby Italy would receive some nonAniharic lands, possibly in the northeast, while Abyssinia would receive access to the sea. Both parties would have absolute possession of the newlyacquired territory. The .‘Daily Telegraph’s’ diplomatic correspondent implies that while English and French experts in Paris are making progress on a peace plan it is not in a form that could be submitted to Signor Mussolini. In the meantime there is abundant evidence from Italy of an upheaval throughout the country as the result of the war, plus the action the Powers have either taken or contemplated. MUSSOLINI READY TO NEGOTIATE SUGGESTED ARMISTICE. LONDON, December 4. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Paris correspondent says: “ It has been stated in wellinformed circles that Signor Mussolini has made it known that he is ready to consider proposals for a definite peace settlement which would satisfy Italy’s honour and give her substantial territorial concessions in some form or another. It is even thought that if satisfactory proposals emerge from the meeting, between M. Laval and Sir Samuel Hoare, Signor Mussolini himself might make a moye towards peace. One report widely current, both on the Bourse and in diplomatic circles, is that a three weeks’ armistice might be acceptable to Signor Mussolini, in which peace might he discussed and the oil embargo postponed.” AMERICAN OIL SHIPMENTS WASHINGTON, December 3. Apparently desiring somewhat to modify his stand on oil shipments to Italy, in view of the League indecision -in the matter, Mr H. L. Ickes (Secretary of the Interior) took occasion to-day to, “ clarify ” his statement, which was interpreted to mean that he looked with disfavour on any shipments of 'that commodity. He said he merely intended to convey the wish that American producers would keep “ the letter and the spirit ” of neutrality in accordance with the State Department policy. He had no wish to order the petroleum industry, of which he is administrator, to- cease all shipments ■ To-day Mr Cordell Hull announced that 86 persons and companies in the munitions industry had complied with the Government order to register under the Neutrality Act. He said few had not, and unless they did so within a few days they would be prosecuted. SENSATIONAL STORY DENIED WASHINGTON, December 4. A sensational story has been published by an American news agency from Rome to the effect that the Government has entered a long-term agreement with the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey’s Italian subsidiary to supply the Fascists with adequate supplies of oil. This was denied tonight by Mr Walter Teagle, president of the American company. “ The officers of the Italian company know that such a contract would not only he impossible of fulfilment, but under no circumstances accepted by us. It sounds like a preposterous piece of propaganda.” 1H ITALY “WEDDING RING DAY.” ROME, December 3. The campaign for the collection of gold, silver, and scrap metal continues in a spectacular manner. The dramatist, Signor Pirandello, sent Signor Mussolini the gold medal he received with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1934. A “ wedding ring day ” has been announced for December 18. Not a single British newspaper and only one French one can be purchased to-day. Officials blame the traffic confusion, but Austrian. German, and Hungarian papers are obtainable. QUEEN OFFERS ROYAL RINGS ROME, December 4. (Received December 5, at 10.30 a.m.) The Queen of Italy has sent a letter to Signor Mussolini offering the King’s and her own wedding rings to “ the •glory of our beloved country. My ring is my dearest possession, because it recalls the day 1 had'the great fortune to become an Italian.” It is expected that their Majesties’ and thousands of other rings will be, placed in a symbolical pile at the foot of the tomb of the unknown soldier jbofoig £hey aret melted.

NEW YEAR RECEPTIONS CANCELLED

ROME, December 4. (Received December 5, at 2 p.m.) It is announced that the customary New Year receptions to the diplomatic corps and notables by their Majesties will not be hold. A decree suspends indefinitely the publication of Treasury and Bank of Italy returns and statements relating to the public debt. ’ THE NORTHERN FRONT GUERRILLA FIGHTING. LONDON, December 3. Lieutenant - commander MortimerDurand, the ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ correspondent with the Italian army at Asmara, referring to the difficulty of mopping tip occupied areas, instances a communique reporting a skirmish in Alemalo Pass, in the Eastern Tembian area, which was considered cleared, of Ahyssinians as far back as October 27. Yet a brisk action there resulted in 15 Ethiopians left dead in the field, while five Askaris and one non-commissioned native officer were killed. This guerrilla fighting is 'difficult to stop because bands left by Ras Seyoum in the Tembian country cannot be prevented from penetrating between posts of the Askaris’ front line at night time. The broken terrain affords plentiful cover for irregulars, who, by hiding their guns in the daytime, are able to pass .as ordinary Ethiopians, friendly to Italy, in the event of a surprise by Italian troops. The Addis Ababa version of this fight was that the Ethiopians put a column of 500 Italians, to flight, killing 60.” CRUDE OIL FROM ALBANIA ITALY ASSURED OF SUPPLIES. ' ROME, December 4. (Received December 5,' at 11.30 a.m.) Italian oil experts are confident that they will be able to obtain 300,000 tons of crude oil from Albanian wells before the end of the year. An Sin pipe lino has been completed to Valona, where huge reservoirs are being constructed, enabling shipment at Bari, where the Government proposes to build a hydrogenation plant on German lines, enabling distillation of 80 per cent, of petrol from the crude oil. ITALIAH ORDER REFUSED SUFFOLK FIRM BREAKS OFF NEGOTIATIONS A British firm has. declined an £ll,000 order for heavy engineering equipment from an Italian colonial Ministry, and has cancelled the negotiations for • another large order from the Italian Air Ministry. The firm is Messrs Ransomes and Rapier Ltd., who control a large foundry in Ipswich. An official says that when news- of Italy’s penetration into Abyssinia was received the following telegram was despatched by the firm to their agent in Italy:—“Regret we are not prepared to entertain further business relations with a Government which has flagrantly ignored its treaty obligations.”- ' ,