RAISING OF SANCTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22367, 17 June 1936, Page 11

RAISING OF SANCTIONS

FUTILITY IN ABYSSINIAN CONFLICT GOVERNMENT STATEMENT AWAITED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 16. The ' Morning Post’s ’ political correspondent says: “ Mr Eden’s speech in the House of Commons announcing the Government’s decision to propose the raising of sanctions will follow closely the lines of Mr Chamberlain’s speech on Thursday last. He will point out that sanctions failed either to prevent or end the Abyssinian war or preserve the independence of Abyssinia, and, in view of this, there is no logical practical justification for maintaining them. There have been no Cabinet differences regarding this. The only hesitancy has been whether Britain should lead at Geneva or leave the initiative to the Assembly.” AFRICAN AMBITIONS SATISFIED MUSSOLINI PROPOSES MEDITERRANEAN PACT. LONDON. Juno 16. The ' Sun-Herald ’ Service says that a section of the Press continues to suggest grave Cabinet differences in connection with the' forthcoming sanctions decision, and that Mr Eden’s resignation is imminent. Such rumours, however, which are without foundation and are primarily designed to force Mr Eden from the Cabinet, are unlikely to succeed. When Mr Eden announces the abandonment of sanctions on Thursday he will outline Signor Mussolini’s memorandum, which says that, apart from accepting any diminution of Italian sovereignty in Abyssinia, the Italians are ready to meet Britain’s desires in every possible way. Assurances are given that henceforth Italy belongs to the “ territorially satisfied ” Powers. Tho Ducc pledges himself not to raise a black army in Abyssinia, declaring that ho has no further African territorial ambitions. The Duce is also ready to conclude a Mediterranean pact with Britain and France accompanied by a limitation of naval armaments, to include Greece and Turkey if they desiro. Italy is further ready to support Britain’s viewpoint in the reform of tno League Covenant. The Italians intimate that in tho event of Britain rejecting collaboration, they will turn to Germany ITALIAN VIEW MORE POSITIVE GESTURE . DESIRED. LONDON, June 16. Tho * Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says:—“Semi-official circles are now declaring that the lifting of sanctions will not be enough to allow Italy again to collaborate in European affairs and suggesting that a more positive gesture is needed, namely, a simultaneous reversal of the League’s aggression verdict.” ATTITUDE OF THE DOMINIONS MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF DROPPING SANCTIONS. LONDON. June 16. (Received June 17, at 11 a.m.) The evening newspapers give prominence to tho announcement that Mr Lyons sent a cable to Mr Bruce in which he is reported to have intimated that Australia is anxious to see sanctions ended, in view of- the loss of Italian marketing. The ‘ Sun-Herald ’ says Britain’s attitude towards sanctions was outlined by Mr Eden this afternoon at a conference with tho dominions’ High Commissioners, each of whom submitted his own dominion’s viewpoint. Mr Bruce presented the Commonwealth’s case, the newspapers’ announcement .of which caused a flutter, especially among the foreign correspondents, who suspect that London has inspired the Commonwealth to initiate tho abandonment of sanctions to enable the British Government to present a strong case to the Houso of Commons on Juno 18, and simultaneously to save Britain’s face outlie Continent. Actually all tho dominions except South Africa favoured the dropping of sanctions. Mr Eden frankly explained the British reasons for a reversal of policy, emphasising that tho failure of tho League’s action had caused splits and fissures throughout Europe, and that continuation of the sanctions would make tho position worse. IMPORTANT SPEAKERS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 10. (Received June 17, at noon.) Thursday’s debate in the House of Commons on the Government’s foreign policy, with special reference to the question of sanctions, will open witli a speech by Mr Eden, and Mr Stanley Baldwin will speak towards the close of the debate. Tho Opposition leaders will take part in the debate, and it is understood that Mr Lloyd George will also speak. FRENCH DEPUTIES FAVOUR ABOLITION PARIS, June 16. (Received June 17, at 11.35 a.m.) Deputies representing all parties tabled a draft resolution inviting the Government to abolish sanctions and induce League members to follow the decision. EFFECT ON TiIADE GENEVA, June 16. (Received June 17, at 11.35 a.m.) The League Secretariat states that the 18 countries applying sanctions had

total imports from Italy during April to the value of only 424,000 gold dollars, compared with 6,777,000 in April, 1935. Their exports to Italy amounted to 2,463,000, compared with 8,807,000.