SANCTIONS MAINTENANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1936, Page 7

SANCTIONS MAINTENANCE

BRITISH GOVT.’S POUCY SOUNDING OTHER NATIONS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (xvecd. May 9, 8 a.m.). LONDON, May 8. • The “Telegraph’s” political correspondent says: The British Government’s policy regarding Sanctions is unlikely to be definitely formulated until Mr. Eden has ascertained the views of other States represented at next week’s Geneva meeting. The British view, at present, is that the situation should be left unchanged until Mussolini has made a fuller statement about his future intentions regarding Abyssinia, and whether he is prepared to consult with others in drawing up the plans thereanent. The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says: The British Government’s decision regarding Sanctions is causing anxiety, because the French policy appears to be in a similar condition. The French. Foreign .Minister’s aim is to liquidate tne Abyssinian problem as soon as possible, ‘if the Italian attitude does not put insuperable obstacles in the way. Wherefore, Mr. Eden’s Commons speech, and still more, Sir Austen Chamberlain’s declaration that Sanctions nad failed, were -welcomed. The semi-official “Le Temps,” hopes the League will now have courage to face the realities of the situation, and avoid taking any imprudent initiative. “The Times’s” Paris correspondent says: The Popular Front is uneasy about the British reactions as to Abyssinia. It'hopes that Britain will not yield to disillusionment, at a moment when France would be able to throw its full weight in with the League, and is ready to support Sanctions as long as Signor Mussolini continued to defy it.

ETHIOPIAN CLAIMS. LONDON, May 8. The Ethiopian Minister in London, in a statement, said that a small group of Ethiopian Ministers were carrying on government in West Abyssinia, and that they hold the archives removed from Addis Ababa. He said the Italians still do not occupy three-fifths of Abyssinia, where there were tens of thousands of armed men. He also said: The Italian conquest of Abyssinia will place the Sudan between nut-crackers, Libya and Abyssinia. Signor Mussolini was already fortifying Dumeira Islan/jl, opposite Perim, commanding the Red Sea route to Jndia and Australia. There was sitll time for the League to act, as rains would make the Italian task of subjugating the bulk of Abyssinia before September impossible.

AUSTRALIAN DENIAL. (Recd. May 9, 8 a.m.). CANBERRA, May 8. Replying to questions in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister said he had no knowledge of the British Government being informed that Australia was anxious that the Sanctions against Italy should be lifted. He added that the Federal Government had not been in communication with its London representatives, and had given no instructions to that effect. The lifting of Sanctions was one for the collective consideration of the League. EM PERG. IN PALESTINE. (Reed. May 9, 8 a.m.). HAIFA. May 8. Under triple escort, the Enterprise entered the harbour at 8.30. There W'ere no # salutes. The Acting District Commissioner boarded and welcomed Selassie. Few words were spoken, mostly greeting bj r nods. Through a Guard of Honour of Royal Marines, and the North Lancashire Regiment, the Emperor and family walked to the 'special train destined for Jerusalem. The crowds were silent. A strong personal bodyguard kept off a band of journalists, many of whom arrived by air in the hope inducing the Emperor to break silence. A large sum was offered the Emperor to broadcast to America tonight, via the Palestine radio. A hundred steel boies believed to contain the Emperor’s fortune, were unloaded from the cruiser Enterprise.

CHEERS AT JERUSALEM.

(Recd. May 9, 10.30 a.m.) JERUSALEM, May S.

Selassie is staying at King David Hotel. Three thousand wildly cheered him as he and his suite drove from the strongly-guarded station in ten motor cars, provided, by the Arab Strike Committee.

CHAMPAGNE AND PYTHON.

(Recd. May 9, noon.) JERUSALEM, May 8.

A British sentry, with rifle and bayonet, guards the floor of Haile Selassie’s room. The Emperor, who will give audiences to journalists on May 9, retired early, after receiving the Foreign Minister and a delegation of priests. He drank champagne with his meals, aboard the cruiser Enterprise. He spent two days with the treasurer, coutning his gold and silver. He has a largo python as a pet. RIOTING AT HARRAR. (Recd. May 9, 10.30 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, May 8. Sir S. Barton learns from the British Consul at Harrar that looting, burning, and shooting has broken out there. The Consular Guard of forty Somali police is helping the Abyssinian Governor to maintain order, pending the Italians taking over control. Many wounded were sent to the hospital. Looters ineffectually fired a fusilade at the train conveying to Djibouti, French soldiers from Addis Ababa, whither they were despatched last week, to protect the railway buildings, 1 which they successfully accomplished. l Italian cavalry were sent to the relief of a German, whose wife rushed breathless into the camp, saying that 1 bandits were besieging her husband’s, farm, thirty miles from Addis Ababa. I

AN ANXIOUS TIME.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESS]

RUGBY, May 8. Very grave disorders broke out yesterday in the town of Harrar, the rioters taking possession of the streets, looting and burning business premises and houses. Firearms were freely used. The British Consulate, where Coh-

sul Chapman Andrews has a guard of 40 Somaliland police, has been endeavouring to help the Ethiopian Governor to keep order, pending the arrival of the Italian troops, who were yesterday reported within 10 miles of the town. Up to 6 p.m. yesterday, neither the Consulate nor the adjacent hospital, where Swedes and Finns are caring lor a number of jvounded, had been attacked, and during the night, the firing diminished, but looting and burning continued. The British Minister at Addis Ababa, with whom the Consul at Harrar has maintained daily touch since the situation became critical, reports the Consul intends to remain at Harrar.

Although details are lacking, it is believed many foreigners sought and found refuge in the British Consulate. No British or other foreign casualties so far have been reported. Bishop Jarasseau, together with a French doctor and a Maltese, at’Sophie, a short distance from Harrar, are reported safe.

Sir S. Barton telegraphs that the refugees of all nationalities, who sought protection at the Briitsh Legation, at Addis Ababa', during the riots which followed the departure of the Emperor, have now left the Legation. ITALIAN CAPTURES. ROME, May 8. General Graziani has occupied Harrar. He captured great quantities of arms and amunition. Ras Seyoum surrendered at Sokota. RAILWAY CONTROL. (Reed. May 9, noon.) ADDIS ABABA, May 8. The Djibouti train carries Italian soldiers as guards,- indicating that Italy, with the consent of the French owners, has taken over military control of the railway. The Italians brought the components of two motor trains to Addis Ababa, ready for. immediate assembly, promising a great increase in the line efficiency. The Bank of Ethiopia has resumed business.