STRANGE SCENS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12903, 2 July 1936, Page 5

STRANGE SCENS

DEMONSTRATIdf'i IN CHAMBER.

NEGUS STANDS CALM AND Di6fviiFlED:

ITALIAN DISTURBERS REMOVED

(U.P.A. by Elec, Tel, Copyright)

GENEVA, Juno 30

An extraordinary scene, Unparalleled in the history of tlie Leaguo. of Nations occurred when the Empirdr of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie, ascended the rostrum to-day to address tlie Assembly. The delegates were astounded to hear an outburst of whistling i and boohing from the galleries and a cry of “Down with the assassin-..” The delegates .replied by cheering tlic Emperor. The Russian delegate, M. Titulescu shouted: “Stop tho/horseplay!” Meanwhile Fl’aile Selassie 5t00d,..;! calm:, dignified and .immobile * figure amid tho tumult,, with the president vainly ringing the .bell, while' the police searched for the offenders anil fastened upon a group of seven Or eight Italian journalists,cwho ; after brief scuffles were bundled .from;,the building to taxi cabs-amid boohs: from other journalists arid cries of “Down with the. Fascists”:! • Among those taken to. the police station, were Signor Alfredo Sigrioretti; the director qCoriti of Italylfi l biggest newspapers, ,the Starnpa, Turin ; Signor Guide Ctiprin, the■ ■•chief' correspondent of tlic Cofriere DellaSera; Signor-*Caiani,- tho president of a Syndicate o’f Fascist •■journals and Signor Angelli. of tlie Lavora Fascista. • •• • ■ ; ’ • A Spanish journalist taken by mistake was speedily released. The others late to-night were still detained. LIABLE TO IMPRISONMENT. Swiss officials state under the Swiss law, an insult or injury to a visiting head of State is punished by six months imprisonment. It is regarded as certain that the League cards of tho culprits will bo confiscated. The executive committee of tlie International Association of Journalists passed, a resolution condemning tho action of tlie Italians rind apologisiiig, on behalf of the press, to tlic Emperor and M. Van Zcelaiid, the Assembly president. Everybody is wondering how Signor Mussolini will react (o the incidcuct. Tlie Italian press is left without its own reports of the proceedings. WILL ITALY WITHDRAW. It is being'asked whether thd apparently ; organised l .< ficmonstfjitibii portends Itiily-’s withdrawal from tlie League. It is thought that 'men of such repute would not act oii impulse, arid must have beeri told what to -do from' Roiiib. •• Sonic- were roughly handled. One was floored by an uslier who is a, lightweight boxing ehariipion. SELASSIE’S PATHETIC APPEAL. A frail, lonely figure speaking a language that- none of the- delegates undefstood, Haile Selassie appealed to the League not to abandon his unhappy country. Onl} r his bearing and hianncrin indicated the extent to which he personally was moved, but his words were immediately translated from Arnharie through an automatic muitiphone and confirmed his obvious appeal. “God and history ( will remember your judgment,” be said: Nevertheless, the speech was received with mingled feelings. Rcpre-seritativ-es of the o2< nations were, visibly (embarrassed by the taunts of the Negus oii their ineffectiveness to deal with the aggressor. The speech from beginning to end sounded *ns’ a- stern denunciation of international intrigues. The Emperor complained bitterly of the failure <>l the League’s promise of support, and announced that whatever the League would do. Ethiopia was not going to bow to force. BANNED FROM LEAGUE BUILDING. DEMONSTRATORS’ PRESS CARDS SUSPENDED. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright). (Received July I, 8.50 p.m.) GENEVA, June 30. Tho arrested journalists also include Sigiior Eugenio Morreale, tnc special correspondent of tho P.opolo d’ltalia,” Signor Mussolini’s own paper. A London message states that the Daily Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent says that M. Avenol, SecretaryGeneral to the League, has withdrawn all their nress cards, and they will never be allowed to set - loot in <i Leagpo building. . A HUMILIATING SPEECH. ESPECIALLY TO FRANCE. V _ (U.P.A. by Eleo. Tel. Copyright). (Received July 2, 1 a.m.) GENEVA, July 1. In eonscf(uence of yesterday’s disturbance, the police took special precautions to exclude possible demonstrators “from the Liugue galleries this morning. The Italian journalists spent the night m tlic cells and it is expected they will be expelled from Switzerland. - Tlib Italian press the incidents life Vinevitable consequence othe- provoeutiori resultant from the presence of. Negus.’.’ Messagero itnl'gnantly dinonnces violence and brutality shown to the.journalists lor their legitimate protest.. PARIS, July 1.

The .French press unanimously deplores the Italian , journalists’ behaviour, and also considers that the Emperor?s .speech created, a distressing impression. ■’ . - La Journal d'eclarcs it was the most humiliating speech ever heard by the British and French Governments, and Was especially -. humiliating "to kVa nee. - .