ITALY’S MOVES

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1935, Page 5

ITALY’S MOVES

FORCES ADVANCE BERLIN TALK Alarms France CONCILIATION COMMITTEE. PLOUGHING SAND ? (Aus, and N.Z. Ca.Hc Assn.) GENEVA, September 9. The Conciliation Committee, of five, appointed a sub-committee composed of subordinate delegates to study Italian-Abyssinian charges and countercharges. The British United Press correspondent says: The formation of the sub-committee is regarded as a traeti cal victory for Mussolini, who objected to the committee in the first place examining Paris proposals and insisted that the Italian memorandum should be first' investigated. RUGBY. September 5. The work of the conciliatory com mil.tee of five appointed to investigate the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia has been suspended, but a further meeting of the committee is be Illg held this afternoon to study the various documents bearing on the question especial y the Italian memorandum, At. Saturday’s session, the committee heard an exhaustive account of the abortive Paris conversations 1,(1111 Mr Eden and M. Laval, and it was to permit of more time for study by the Other members of the committee of proposals made during r j,ose con . ' ersations, that the adjournment unt ; . this afternoon was decided upon. M Laval will be represented by M. Lega •' at this afternoon’s meeting. Italian Forces Move TWO GUESSES. BY LONDON CORRESPONDENT (Received September 10 at 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. lhe “News-Chronicle’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says: The Italian concentration threatens the province o A v Afi ' auiG mi lt ?? dicat cs a flank attack Askum. The Blackshirt infantry and m an attempt to encircle Adowa and native levies, with artillery and tanks also big lorry convoys are concentrating at Adiugri and Addikaie and also upon a third point, which, in a fashion typical of Ethiopia, the Government cannot find on its maps, inasmuch as the frontier river Mareb and mountain tonrents are floods and have not been negotiable for three weeks The move is regarded as Italian bluff for alS ° - may be Part Of an Italian military timetable.

Italians Ready TO FIGHT ANY DAY. TROOP MOVEMENTS ON FRONT. LONDON, September 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Romp correspondent says. The Italian attitude -towards the League has hardened. It is stated on unimpeachable authority that Italy is seriously considering leaving the League. Whether Mussolini will Baron Aloisi to break off relations in the next few days depends upon the League’s action regarding the Abyssinia dispute. Ftaly contends that she sponsored Abyss'nia’s election to the League m 1923 upon the understanding that th* Ethiopians would mend their ways, be a good neighbour, and carry out the treaties, in which they have failed. Accordingly, Italy considers that Abyssinia is no longer a member of 'he League. Mussolini’s declaration yesterday tha/t he wi l ] go ahead produced new condcmnaitions of the League proceedings, which are described as theatrical and futile. The newspaper “Tribune” characterises them as Saturnalia with merry-go-rounds and general invocation for the extermination of Fascism. Meanwhile, martial enthusiasm is at white heat, accompanied by the general uncertainty of overwhelming success. The Government spokesman stated that it was no longer possible to envision a solution without military operations. When questioned whether September 24 would be zero hour, he shrugged his shoulders and said: “We are ready any day.” It is reported that an intercepted Ttalan message revealed that hour was fixed for September 24. News of the Italian troop movements led to 25.000 cavalry, mostly Ghallahas, being ordered to proceed to Ogaden. It is understood that th*» total number guarding the frontier is now 401,000. It is now estimated that ten thousand Italians have advanced south of Addiquala and south-west of Barachit, and taken up a line forty miles long. The Italian Legation states that the troop movements are purely routine movements for training troops.

An Addis Ababa official communique and telegrams from the nortjhern provinces report important movements of Italian troops at various points on the 'Eritrean frontier, making it apparent' that an offensive is coming. The North American Newspaper Al liance’s special correspondent at Addis Ababa, amplifying the communique, says: Despite -the rains making the countryside a bog, the Italians are reported to be moving on a. greatly extented front towards strategic points on the frontier. A number of Generals and officials were summoned to the Emperor’s Palace, and reported Lethe Emperor that they had difficulty in restraining the frontier guards. The “News-Chronicle’s” Addis 1 Ababa correspondent! says: The official telegrams announcing the Italian troops are heavily concentrating at three points on the northern frontier are not alarming the Abyssinians, who he’ievc the rains will prevent tan attack for another three weeks. Ethiopian chiieifs, fearing a shortage of ammunition, are mining the mountain sides in order to avalanche thousands of tons of rock upon the invaders and

also block the passes. Others are guarding precipitous paths to magazines, with suspended boulders which can be put down, upon the heads of the assailants. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says: The Italian Legation is dismantling the furniture, plate and pictures, and sending them to Djibouti. Italy Not Attacking WAITING ON GENEVA. LONDON, September 10. The “Daily Mail’s” Rome correspondent says: Italy denies that she is massing for an attack. It is pointed out that, although Italy has not forhnally undertaken to refrain from military measures while the Conciliation Committee is sitting, Italy will not launch any unprovocated attack while Geneva is examining the dispute. SANCTIONS QUESTION FRENCH SUPPORT CLAIMED. LONDON, September 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Geneva correspondent says: It can now positively be stated "that, if a position arises in which Britain feels a necessity for sanctions, France will give full support. M. Laval is now convinced that no other course would be possible. Italy and Germany LONDON TIMES HINTS AT CO-OPERATION, LONDON, September 10. “The Times” has a leading article on the incident of the early cordial reception at Berlin of the new Italian Ambassador Signor Bernardo Attolice. The editorial appears under the heading ‘‘ A Diplomatic Manoeuvre ’ ’ “The Times” says: The words of the Italian Government, through the mouth of its Ambassador, have an intention which can hardly be mistaken; If the justice of the Italian claims is not recognised in some quarters, Italy will seek recognition elsewhere, and if the Italian process of “strengthening power and national dignity” is properly understood and supported by Germany, now, then the similar aspirations of Nazi Germany may expect to be uderstood and suioported later.

A GERMAN PAPER. AN INSPIRED COMMENT. LONDON, September 10. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says: The Berlin newspaper “Tageblatt”, in what is obviously an inspired note, says that Germany and Italy will know, from experience, how the disregard of the vital needs of a nation causes unrest for the entire world. Foreign observers are, therefore, right in heeding the words of Signor Attolice and Herr Hitler, though they could not be right not in drawing any further conclusions. FRENCH DESIRE. TO AVOID SPLIT WITH ITALY. LONDON, September 10. The “Daily Mail’s” Geneva correspondent says: The obvious implications of the Hitler—Attolice meeting come as a shock to the delegates here. In the present relative proportions of the armed strength of Europe, France could not accept any system whereby Italy .might be drawn into a coalition hostile to her. Signor Attoliee’s words, are regarded here as being a reminder to France of what might happen if she votes for Sanctions. TRAFFIC THROUGH FRENCH TERRITORY. PARIS, September. 10. The French intend to do their utmost to keep the Djibouti line, in French Somaliland, open to international traffic. FRENCH SOMALILAND PAIB.IiS, September 9. A regiment of Colonia 1 Infantry has left' Brest to reinforce the French garrison at Djibouti. H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA FOE meditteranean. LONDON, September 9. The Australia left Portsmouth for Spithead, to undergo tuning up. trials preparatory to joining the Meditt'eranean Squadron. MORE MALTA DEFENCES LONDON, September 10. The British United Press correspondent at Malta says: Wire entanglements are being fixed in shallow sandy bays along the Malta coast. More antiaircraft guns are being installed at several points. ABYSSINIAN OFFER

ROAD AND PIECE OF DESERT, (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) ADDIS ABABA, September 9. New instructions on which Abyssinia’s delegates at Geneva were working during the week-end, are reported to inc'ude four important concessions, including:— Firstly: Cession of part of Ogaden. Secondly: The League’s nomination of advisers for Ethiopia, although the Emperor is empowered to veto the appointments. Thirdly: litaly to be permitted to construct a road from Eritrea t'o Gondor. The fourth point so far is unknown. It is believed that Haile Selassie remains opposed to a mandate protectorate or similar encroachment on his sovereignty, as an over-liberal concession might lead t'o civil war. LONDON, September 16. The “Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent, discussing the Emperor’s altitude towards the concessions, says the position is deeribed as Abyssinia is not awaiting the highest bidder at an international auction but rather resembles a threatened by an armed intruder. If the League wishes to assist i n defence of Abyssinia’s possessions, the aid would be welcomed. If war is inevitable, Abyssinia would ga down fighting. On the contrary, if they defca-t' the Italians they will not advance into Eritrea or Somaliland to recover lost ground as the districts are uninhabitable, owiag to inadequate

1 water, heat, and the prevalence of malaria. League Control of Abyssinia LATEST BRITISH IDEA. THREE FINGERS IN PIE. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, September 9. “The Times’s” Geneva correspondent says; Whi'c the eoncilliation subcommittee explored the Italian contentions on general principles, a possible settlement was taking shape, It is understood that the British, at 'the right moment, intend to propose a collective Abyssinian mandate, possibly exercised' by the League through a High Commissioner, or Britain, France and Italy on behalf of the League;, but the British insist, .this must be freely accepted by Abyssinia, It is understood that M. niaval and the French de egation have rallied to the proposal, although originally inclined to support the proposal inspired from Rome, that it should be an Italian mandate. M. Laval, however, is in a minority in his own Cabinet, regarding the matter. He took warning from the attitude of M. Litvinoff. who refused to sirve on the Conciliation Committee, and M. Herriot. whose stand for the League at the recent meeting brought the French policy generally in line with the British, On his arrival at Geneva, Sir S. Hoare was met. by Mr. Eden, whom he informed that the line of action he had so far pursed in the Abyssinian dispute, had 'the full support of . the Prime Minister and the whole British Cabinet. BRITISH LABOUR LEADER. AGAINST SANCTIONS. RUGBY, September 9. . The question of his resignation of the leadership of the Labour Party has been raised by Mr George Lansbury. He attended last week s Trades Union Congress, as . a fraternal delegate, of the Party, and after the resoution was passed by an overwhelming majority calling for operation of ail necessary measures, provided by the Covenant, to prevent an attack on Abyssinia, Mr Lansbury expressed views which he consistently held against the use of armed force. Leading members of the party are opposed to a change in leadership. Major Attlee says that he regards it as essential that Mr Lansbury should continue in office. Sir Stafford Cripps said the party was absolutely' united in the desire that Mr Lansbury should remain leader, despite the difference of views on this . question.

The League Assembly REARMAMENT MENACE. ASSEMBLY’S NEW PRESIDENT. GENEVA, September 9. Fifty-four States participated in the ballot for the Presidency, from which Mr De Valera withdrew. M. Benes was elected with 45 votes. Acknowledging his election. M Benes said: “I cannot conceal the grave dangers at the moment, but I have not on'y the hope but the cer lointy we will prevail over ihe diffi culti.es and emerge triumphant. ’’ Italian abstention from the proceed ings seemingly only apples to the Council. When the Abyssinian problem arises, Baron Aloisi and his colleagues will be present in full force. IR.UGBY. September 9. The sixteenth annual assembly of ihe League of Nations met this morn ing, under the presidency of Senor Guinazu (Argentine). The meeting opened with a review by Senor Guinazu, in the course of which he said: “The world is distracted with anxiety. This anxiety, among other forms, takes '.hat- of measures of rearmament and 'he prolonging of the economic crisis, which weighs s holvayieetaionetaoiu which weighs so heavily upon the peoples of the earth. The League, however, is not going to give up its efforts towards helping the world on to economic recovery. Despite every difficulty, the League is continuing its heavy task. It has now been in existence for over 15 years, and in that short time it has demonstrated by it's very existence, that peace is indivisible, and tha ; tc- preserve the Covenant, it is necessary in order to achieve international peace and security, to prescribe open, just' and honourable relations between nations. It must he so more than ever at a time like the present) when the sky is once more overcast, and the whole world, in deep anxiety, turns its eyes towards Geneva. We must be firm and resolved t'o do all that h O3 in our power t° render the League fully effective.”

It seems probable that the greater part of to-day’s and to-morrow’S ses sions of the League Assembly will be devoted to routine matters which include the election of the presidents, setting up committees to deal with legal, technical, budgetary, social and po’itical questions, the election of three new permanent members of the Council, and a new member of the Permanent Court of International Justice. Other matters may also come before the Council before a general discussion of the report of the secretariat is begun. probably on Wednesday. De Valera’s Election PRESIDENT OF ASSEMBLY POLITICAL COMMISSION, f Received September 10, at' 9.5 p.mj LONDON U September 10. Mr Eamonn De Valera has at Geneva, been elected as the President of the Political Commission of the League of Nations Assembly. N.Z. DELEGATES. (Received September 10 t at 11.5 p.m ) LONDON. September 10. A special correspondent of the Associated Press at' Geneva says Sir J. Pan- will represent New Zealand on al] five of the committees, with Messrs R.M . Campbell (economic adviser to the New Zealand Government) and C. A. Know’les as substitute delegates