ABYSSINIAN COMPROMISE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1935, Page 7

ABYSSINIAN COMPROMISE

THE BRITISH PROPOSAL ITALIAN ‘ECONOMIC’ MANDATE [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—-COPYRIGHT.) , LONDON, August 8. “The Times’s” Paris correspondent says: The British Government’s efforts at next week’s conference between Britain, France, and Italy on Abyssinia will be concentrated on trying to devise a system of economic concessions that will .be acceptable to Italy, while at the same time preserving Abyssinia’s political independence. The French Government will fully concur with such a policy. The French Government will also support any proposal foi* an ‘Economic Mandate,’ to be exercised by the League in Abyssinia. There, however, is much doubt in official circles as to whether Signor Mussolini, after bellicose speeches and a public campaign for a ‘totalitarian’ solution, can now accept the exclusion of Italy from political control. The prospects of an - economic solution are considered to have been' improved by the Abyssinian Emperor’s statement on August 7, as this is taken to mean that Abyssinia would consent to a measure" of international co-operation in her affairs, provided that the Emperor’s sovereign independence will be maintained, thus opening a way for sufficient concessions to meet Italy’s expansionist needs.

TROOP-SHIP TRANSACTIONS.

(Received August 9,2 p.m.) LONDON, August 8.

The “News-Chronicle” says: Italy has acquired for troop-carrying purposes the ex-Canadian Pacific liners Molita and Minnesota, each of 15,183 tons, which six months ago were sold to a Genoese shipbuilding firm, on the understanding they would be broken up. Their destiny was disclosed by insurance at Lloyds for “Mediterranean and Red Sea risks only.” Italy has also bought the German liners Sierra Cordoba and Sierra Ventana, each of 11,400 tons, the Werra, of 9,400 tons, in addition to four liners with an aggregate tonnage of 31,589. She is also purchasing quantities of German hutments for Eritrea, and bought up a quarter of Germany’s total exports of coal in the first six months of 1935.

MEAT CONTRACT.

ROME, August 8. The army has contracted for 31,000 tons of, frozen meat from Brazil, valued at £666,090, one of the biggest recent deals. ALPINE MANOEUVRES ROME, August 8. The largest military manoeuvres held in Europe will commence at Bremer Pass, in the latter half of August. Half a million Italians will be participating in new methods of assault, with special arms. Journalists Will be excluded, Mussolini desiring secrecy. BRITISH ADVISED TO LEAVE ADDIS ABABA, August 8. The British Legation has advised British residents to evacuate their women and children from Abyssinia, when convenient, as a precautionary measure. ' , Palace circles consider that war is inevitable, but that it will not be protracted. They believe that England and France will keep the conflict within bounds.