Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 7th., 1936. LEAGUE AND ITALY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 7th., 1936. LEAGUE AND ITALY.

news from Abyssinia has been difficult to estimate, throughout the campaign, both sides making ridiculous claims.

“Important victories” reported have later proved to be minor affairs, some battles have been won by both sides, according to the communiques, and generally, the truth has been, carelessly handled. There seems little doubt, however, that the Italians have scored heavily, of late, and that losses by, and desertions from, the Ethiopian Emperor’s armies, have been serious. The campaign, is far from over, if the Abyssinians can rally, but their outlook is dark, and they may be glad to accept peace on terms which they would have scornfully rejected, a few weeks ago. Xo surprise will be felt that Italy is proving successful, as the struggle never was equal. Terrain and climate favoured the Abyssinians, who were little, if any, inferior to their foes, as fighters, but

the invaders had immense resources, with the deciding advantage of modern equipment, notably planes and chemicals. It is through the Italian use of poisonous gas that foreign indignation has been most aroused, and it may prove that the gas which won for Italy victory in the campaign will lose for her friendship far more valu- 1 able. Britain is particularly I

aroused over this gross breach o£ treaty undertakings, and will be chary of accepting Italian assurances, in future. Italy, among other nations, agreed not to use poison gas in xvarfare, and especially against those dwelling in non-mil-itary areas. The evidence is overxvhelming that Italy has dishonoured her pledge, and, indeed, apparently owes her recent triumphs to the use of poison gas and bombs.

The' League Committee of Thirteen meet this week, at Geneva, to resume consideration of the enforcement of further Sanctions against Italy, especially the withholding of oil supplies. Italy has given the intimation that such Sanction would be regarded as ‘‘military,” and would be treated as such. That attitude would not be important if the other League countries were determined, but there are signs that with the exception of Britain and the Scandinavian countries, enthusiasm for Sanctions, never great, is waning among other nations, who dislike the loss of their trade through such prohibitions. The knowledge that the Abyssinians are shaken, if not finally defeated, will prompt League waverers to urge the abandonment of all Sanctions, thus Italy will have defeated the League as well as Abyssinia. For an aggressor and a breaker of pledges thus to triumph, will be a sad blow not only to League prestige, but to the moves to establish greater international confidence and goodwill, and to avoid savagery in war, should conflict come. Many will ask what value can there be in treaties, if the provisions are to be ignored, whenever one or more of the signatories find this to be expedient. As Britain’s foreign policy is founded on the League and collective security, the importance to her of the recent happenings, cannot be over-stressed. Mr. Eden has a difficult task ahead, and how he deals with it will be watched with some anxiety.