ITALY’S FORCES

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1935, Page 5

ITALY’S FORCES

MUSSOLINI’S SPEECH Meant only for Peace AND PROTECTION OF COLONIES. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received May 15, 7.50 p.m.) ROME, May 15. “Neither Britain nor France has taken diplomatic stleps to discover Italy’s attitude in regard to Abysinnia, which attitude is a well-document-ed one. They arc not likely to take any such step,” declared Signor Mussolini, in the Senate. I

“Intervention is an ugly word,” he continued. “Moreover, the reality does not justify it. especially in view of the good relations existing between England, France and Italy.” He added: “I am most grateful to those who are, apparently, preoccupied in an over-brotherly manner regarding our military efficiency, which they, apparently, consider might be weakened by conflict in East Africa. We can only reply to this disinterested advice—according to which, our presence in Europe is considered indispensable—that we agree; but that it is because we wish to be at! ease in Europe that we intend to have our backs secure in Africa.” Signor Xfussolini emphasised that the Italian workers who have gone to the colonies outnumber the soldiers. << But I declare solemnly and explicitly,” ho added, “thatl I shall send all of Dio soldiers that I consider to he necessary. Nobody can allocate to himself the position of arbiter regarding the character or the volume of our precautionary measures. Such all interference would not be tblerat* pi I I wish 1o be reproached in the future with an excess, rather than with a "default, where the. security ol our colonies and our soldiers’ lives are af stake! I consider that from eight to nine hundred thousand soldiers are a sufficient guarantee of our security- especially as they are perfectly disciplined, have a superb morale. and are equipped (with modern arms, which have been made Tin our war factories, which have been working at full speed for a number of months. ’ ’

Signor Mussolini added that the remainder of the 1912 Class of men would be called up in the Reserve with the 1911, 1913 and 1914 Classes, making about’ eight hundred thousand and he concluded: “Supported bv this complement of land, sea andt air forces, we shall continue, in collaboration with the Powers, to secure that balance without which Europe would go adrift! Out* military preparations threaten nobody. They only ensure pea’ll ’ ’ The speech of Signor Xfussolini ended amid a roar of applause. ABYSSINIAN POSITION. SLAVE RAIDING QUESTION. (Received Xfay 15, 9.55 n.m.) ROXIE. Xlay 15. Signor Xfussolini’s speech wa.s followed by -that of Signor Tiossona, the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who declared that the European Powers had assumed a greater responsibility in recent years by allowing Abyssinnia to subjugate non-Abyssinians in Africa. Birtain, he said, could, if she wished, publish the details of a long series of bloody incidents, including those of rape and of slave raiding by the Abyssinian s in the colonies of Kenya, the Sudan and Somaliland. “A similar danger exists in Eritera and Italian Somaliland,” he added. “Britain is always ready to give her attention to Abyssinnia’s misdeeds when if suits her. Abyssinnia’s attitude shows that the Emperor’s declarations arc Abvssinnia is prepared to violate any pledge or any treaty.”