PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 June 1935, Page 5

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

Anglo=ltalian Action for Rapid Solution of Problems. DIPLOMATIC EXAMINATIONS WAR WITH ABYSSINIA? (Brrasn Offiolal Wireless.! Received 2.0 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, June 27. Mr Anthony Eden returned to London to-night, having been with M. Laval in Paris to-day, on his way through from Rome. Following the statement made to the Press by M. Laval, Mr Eden gave an account of conversations he had just had with Signor Mussolini, keeping within the framework of the communique of February 3. “We concentrated on finding the best line of negotiations to bring about a rapid solution of the problems raised tnerein,” said Mr Eden. ‘‘We shall continue to examine, 'by diplomatic channels, those questions which the shortness of our conversation made it impossible to deal with exhaustively. We are both equally anxious to coordinate the action of our respective Governments with a view to fulfilment of the programme of February 3. Mr Eden also communicated the substance of his conversations on the Italo-Ethiopian dispute. Mr R. A. Eden’s talk with Signor Mussolini was fruitless as far as a. •settlement with Abyssinia is concerned, says a message from Rome. A communique issued after tlie talk dismissed the subject in the sentence: “During the discussion the Abyssinian question was also examined.” •Concerning other affairs, the communique says that both agreed to continue the work for European appeasement according to the policy fixed at London and Stresa. EARLY OFFENSIVE FEARED The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says that, owing to the tension there is a possibility of an Italian offensive in July. Barely a dozen Italians remain except those at the Legation. The Italian 'Press remains silent upon the conversations with the exception of reports cabled abroad, say§ the Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” While everybody hopes that Italian aspirations will be realised peacefully, many believe war is inevitable. Things have gone so far that nothing short of a military protectorate on the Moroccan lines .will achieve Italy’s ambitions, providing room for surplus populations, freedom to exploit the supposed untold mineral wealth of Abyssinia, control of its foreign policy and the right to represent the Emperor in Europe. There seems to be no objection to the Emperor remaining on the throne. Italy would suppress slavery and open schools throughout the country. In the meantime the departure of troops continues. Mr Eden will arrive at Paris to-day to resume discussions with M. Laval. Paris newspapers are pessimistic about the results of the talks between Mr Eden and Signor Mussolini, nor do they expect much from the discussions with M. Laval. “Le Journal” says the clearest thing emerging from Signor Mussolini’s communique is that Italy holds the same views as France, that it is necessary to return to the methods of the London declaration of February 3.