ITALY’S DECISION

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 7

ITALY’S DECISION

TO ANNEX ABYSSINIA MUSSOLINI THANKS MOTHERS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] (Received May S, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. “The Times’s” Rome correspondent says: It is virtually certain that Signor Mussolini will present the League with the accomplished fact of Abyssinian annexation. The Duce is expected to announce the annexation after the meeting of Cabinet and the Fascist Grand Council on May 9. It is not yet definite whether King Victor Emanuel will be proclaimed Emperor. Italy no longer fears the extension of Sanctions. Signor Gayda, writing in the “Giornale D’ltalia,” confirms the report that a large proportion of the Italian soldiers will remain in Abyssinia, as colonists. He says that thousands of volunteers, including doctors, engineers and technicials, as well as peasants, are" prepared *t<s settle there. Signor Mussolini addressed 200,000 women, assembled in the Piazza Venezia. They were carrying banners, “Our children belong to you.” In response to tremendous cheering, Signor Mussolini declared that the victory was largely due to the women, making every Italian family a fortress to resist Sanctions. “The Times’s” Rome correspondent says: Hostilities ceased to exist just in time to save the Italians from a very difficult task in the water-logged wastes. The occupation of Jijiga was achieved after fighting through torrential rains. The achievements of the engineers in bridging the rivers were most notable.

MUSSOLINI’S CROSS . ROME, May 7. Jijiga has ben captured. The King has decorated Mussolini with the Grand Cross of the Order of Savoy, to mark the victories. Important announcements are expected after the Fascist Grand Council meeting on May 9. ITALY AND MR EDEN. ROME, May 7. Mr A. Eden’s House of Commons statement on Sanctions has failed to be greeted in Italy as being a recognition of reality after the long period in which it is felt, the British diplomacy has been up in the clouds. It is hoped that Britain will now take the next logical step, and call off Sanctions altogether, thereby proving that the British statesmen have not lost their traditional commonsense and also paving the way for the return of the traditional Anglo-Italian friendship. ITALY SEEKING LOANS. (Received May 8, 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. Mussolini has sent his financial adviser, Signor Pirelli,'to London. The City is watching his activities with interest, as though it is denied that Rom'S is seeking a loan, there is no other apparent reason for the visit. Negotiations for a loan cannot be started until Sanctions are lifted. It is doubtful whether there is a chance of success, owing to the poor state of Italian credit.

FRENCH WARNING

LONDON, May 7.

“The Times’s” Paris correspondent says: M. Chambrun has been instructed to warn Signor Mussolini against attempting to grab the whole of Abyssinia without accounting to others who have interests, or to the League’s authority. . Chambrun has been told, to point out that such a course would make it most difficult for the French Government to resist a continued application ot Sanctions and further that any p ver " riding of French interests in Abysas outlined in the 1906 Treaty, would be regarded as being far from a friendly act.

PREMIER-ELECT’S POLICY. (Recd. May 8, 8 a.m.) PARIS, May 7. M. Blum, the probable next French Premier, interviewed by the “Herald s Paris correspondent said: The Popular Front Government will devote itself to saving what is salvagable in international law’, and will demand the immediate convocation of the adjourned Disarmament Conference. Britain can rely on France supporting collective action by the League. It would be tragic if Britain should fail to support these great causes, the moment France is ready to support them with all her might. It was distressing that the electors had not had the opportunity of expressing their view’s in time to save Abyssinia, but if the past was not in our hands, the future is.

FEAR OF GERMANY

(Received May 8, neon.) LONDON, May 7.

The Diplomatic Correspondent of the “Guardian” says: The phrase “period of stocktaking,” circulated with official approval, seems to indicate that the Government is reviewing the whole international situation, preparatory to making momentous decisions.

It is now realised that the Continental Sanctions countries, with the exception of Jugo-Slavia, had only one tthing in common, namely, fear of Germany. They consider that Italy is essential to the defence of the status quo in Central Europe, as only a strong Italy can keep Germany from annexing Austria, leading to general war in Europe. These anxieties are deepening on the Continent, and are even affecting Whitehall.

S. AFRICAN OPINION. CAPE TOWN, May 6. “Sanctions should be continued against Italy for years, if necessary, in order to re-establish a reign of law,” declared General Hertzog in a speech in the Assembly. He was replying to the Republican Opposition members’ statements that the League has failed. He declared: “The League has not failed, but it will indeed have failed if, next week, it decides to remove the Sanctions. In that case, the League will be dead.”

I THANKS TO Sir s. barton. ( [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] j , RUGBY, May 7. The King sent a personal message I to Sir S. Barton in Addis Ababa, expressing His Majesty’s appreciation of the manner in which he had. discharged his responsibilities for the interests of British Nationals in Abyssinia, who sought his protection during a period of difficulty in the trying experiences of recent days. The American Ambassador in London expressed to the Foreign Secretary the appreciation and thanks of the United States Government for the prompt and efficient assistance rendered by the British Minister at Addis Ababa, in evacuating the staff of the United 1 States Legation. EMPEROR’S VOYAGE. (Received May 8, noon.) SUEZ, May 7. The Enterprise arrived. None was allowed to see the Emperor, who is likely to remain only a few dayc for prayer at Jerusalem, then he will go go to Europe. ' SYDNEY ITALIANS." SYDNEY, May 7. Eight hundred members of the Italian community at Sydney celebrated the victory of their armies in Abyssinia -at. the Italian .Club.? Many-prqm-inent Italians, including' the ConsulGeneral,. Doctor Vitzfinzi, •..were . pre-, sent. The latter, in a speech, mentioned the project for the erectibh of a building in Sydney to house all of the local Italian organisations. QUESTION OF POLICY. [PER press association.] WELLINGTON, May 8. International affairs, with particular reference to the present situation and the part played by the League of Nations, were dealt with by Mr H. Duncan Hall, a member of the Information Sectiqn of the Secretariat of the League of Nations, in an address to the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the League of Nations Union.

Mr Hall said it was his personal opinion that-the policy adopted 1 by the League up to the present was right. A country with the policy of isolation could arm to the teeth, and its arms would not protect it. They must be prepared to defend the things for which they stood. The policy of isolation was one of anarchy and suicide, and they had to face that fact. The alternative was to join the defence .system with those of other countries. It may be said that such a system had proved inadequate, but we should do the best possible with it. It was necessary to get back to something of the clearness of vision that brought about the cohesion of the League. In the next [ew years, they would have to face serious, tremendous issue. It was not certain they would get through. Mr Hal! went on to stress the importance of the League to the British Commonwealth of Nations, which had stood for a great deal in the history and in building up and strengthening the collective system.