ITALY’S MOVE

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1935, Page 5

ITALY’S MOVE

AT BERLIN GENEVA COMMITTEE Starts Review (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 7. The eighty-eighth session of the League of Nations Council continued at Geneva this morning for despatch of th 6 heavy agenda of routine business. The places of France, Britain. Poland and Turkey were occupied by substitute delegates. THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE. RUGBY. September 7. At Geneva the Special Sub-Commit-tee of Five set up to inquire into all aspects of Ito 10-Abyssinian relations in quest of a peaceful sett! ement met to-day, there being present M. Laval Mr Eden, Colonel Beck and Tewfik Aras, with Senor de Madariaga (chairman). At to-day’s sitting, it is presume/!, M. Laval ‘ and Mr Eden placed before their colleagues all the documents and reports relating to the Three- Power Conference in Paris in August. Before adjourning till Mon day afternoon, the Committee i s understood to have followed manv League precedents in authorising the drafting of a letter to be sent.' to the Governments of Ethiopia and Italy, urging them carefully to avoid any new incident which could render the situation more difficult or complicate the Committee’s task. M. Laval is reported to have returned to Paris until Monday, and Mr Eden will spend a quiet week-end in the country near Geneva. PEACE DURING PARLEY.

(Received September 9. 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The ‘ ‘Daily Telegraph’s’’ Geneva correspondent says: Ther e is a report that Signor Mussolini has undertaken not to open hostilities pending the finish of negotiations. This is not confirmed, but it is pointed out that the wording of thp. Committee’s appeal did not require any reply. ITALY’S ATTITUDE. SCEPTICISM OVER SPECIAL COMMITTEE. LONDON, September 8. The Rome correspondent of the “Times’’ says that in Italy the Geneva Special Conciliation Commission’s work is watched with sceptical indifference, as it is firmly believed it will be. fruitless, because whatever the Commission proposed will be unacceptab ] e if it interferes with Italian freedom. The Rome correspondent says: “Liberty of action” remains Italy’s (watchword, according to offic ial quarters. ROME, September 8“Italy desires peace, provided it accompanies justice,’’ Mussolini told the Catholic ex-servicemen. Italy and Germany LONDON EEPORTS. OF CORDIAL RELATIONS. (Received September 9 t 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. “Following immediately upon a strong rumour that Italy had proposed an Italo-German conference about Austria, there has been an unexpected reception to the new Italian Ambassador. Signor Bernardo Atjtolice, to Berlin, three weeks before th 0 arranged date. This i s regarded as a deliberate demonstration to the Powers at Geneva,” so the “News-Chronicle” says. It adds: “Evidently being disillusioned with France, Signor Mussolini begins to woo Herr Hitler. This is causing, after the troub’ed Italo-Ger-man relations of recent months, the utmost surprise.”

The “Daily Mail” says: “The Italian Ambassador’s speech went far beyond the customary assurances of friendship. ” The “Times” says: “Herr Hitler s speech and Signor Attoliee’s speech on the occasion were unusual in their conscious emphasis of the common interests of Italy and Germany. Signor Attolice said: ‘I intend to apply myself to the strengthening of the ItaloGerman bonds. I am conscious at this historic moment of Italy and Germany’s extraordinary balance of strength among the nations, which may still be higher in the future.' Herr Hitler said \hat he cordially hoped that the community of their ideals, (which was founded on their understanding of each other’s vital needs, would benefit more and more both Italy and Germany.” FINANCIAL MEASURES. MUSSOLINI’S OBJECTS. ROME, September 8. The Italian bank rate has been raised to five per cent. (Received September 9, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The “News-Chronicle’s” Rome correspondent says: “The raising of the bank rate in Italy is a further measure by which Signor Mussolini hopes to attract: capital and to encourage the investment of money in the State bonds. The interest rate on advances has also been raised to five per cent. Presumably, this is to cheek speculation. Both of these steps are indications of the financial strain of war preparations, and a notable fall occurred in the Stock Exchange at the week-end. ’ ’ THE OIL CONCESSION HUNTERS. SUEZ. September 8. <<l can assure you thp. concession will be exploited,” said Mr Ricketts, intlimating his belief that American.

interests would find a way to carry on. He added that the concession lasts for seventy-five years, and even The Hague Court could not upset it. ITALIAN PUBLIC FEELING. ROME DEMONSTRATION. ROME. September 8. “Wo shall go ahead,” shouted Signor Mussolini, addressing a jubilant crowd of 70,000 gathered at Pianza Venezia outside the official residence. The Duce wa s returning from a review of 300,000 Avanguardis'i youths, aged 14 to 18, specialy trained and selected from all parts of Italy to demonstrate physical and military fitness. Practically all hav e been in Fascist organisations since the ago of six. and are now armed with rilles. Marching ten abreast beneath many banners, and singing Fascist songs, they presented a soldierly bearing. Sea Scouts carried out exercises demonstrating landing and posting machine guns. Many presen*ed petitions asking for permission to volunteer in East Africa.

Mussolini, on his way home, walked smiling through the cheering throng. Tn response tn acclamations, be np pearod on the balcony, then, amid a hush, thundered: “Comrades here are the words you arc awaiting—We shall go ahead.” The crowd replied in unison-. “To whom shall Abyssinia go!—To us. The mu’titode continued the demonstration until Mussolini re-appeared on tho b k-nny, saying: “Is that what vou want?’’ The assembly shouted: “Yes! Yes. ITALIAN SUBMARINES. ROME, September 8. Sixty submarines are participating in Italian Mediterranean manoeuvres. Official circles indicate that they would be used to patrol th o Mediterranean. if Sanctions are applied. Truce of God ? OR SANCTIONS. BRITISH LABOUR DIFFERENCE. LONDON, September 8. Mr Geo. Lansbury (Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party) has issued a statement that fie ’ s sti 1 opposed to the use of armed force, either by the League, or individual nations.

“After the Trade Union Congress debate on Abyssinia. I found my position most difficult, and let m y colleagues understand I would cheerfully make wav for someone better able to voice their views on this matter,” he said.

Sir Stafford Cripps declared that the Party does not want Mr Lansbury to resign. Sir W. Citrine i sof the opinion that Mr Lansbury has created a difficult situation. lie said his suggested resignation is a matter for the Labour Party, not the Trade Unions. It was a pity that Mr Lansbury had not' consulted the Labour Executive, before mak ing his statement. RIVAL BROADCASTS. MALTA, September 8. The Government is commencing news broadcasts to offset the tendeneious Italian news bulletins, broadcasted in English and Italian. SOUTH AFRICAN TRADERS’ VIEW PRETORIA. September 7. “Britain and South Africa ar e entitled to state they will not tolerate new large armed forces indefinitely on their frontiers. ’ ’ declared Mr H. Abercrombie, moving a resolution at the Pretoria Chamber of Commerce, requesting the South African Government to formulate a Monroe Doctrine to preserve the status quo in Africa. The resolution was carried, and is being submitted to the Congress of the Chambers of Commerce on September 16

Mr pointed out that territorial changes would mean loss of trade to the British Empire. The South African mines and cities could be bombed from the air from Abyssinia. South Africa similar’y cannot allow transfer of mandated territories to other Powers.