“MADE UP OUR MINDS”

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 23 August 1935, Page 7

“MADE UP OUR MINDS”

MR. MACDONALD’S COMMENT THE FRENCH VIEWPOINT HOPES OF CONCILIATION (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received 1 p.ni. to-day. LONDON, Aug. 22. 7 The Cabinet meeting broke up at 4.30 this afternoon. Mr J. H. Thomas said, “We’ve finished now.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald said: “We are very clear as to what should be done. We have made up our minds quietly, calmly, and coolly.” Responsible Frenchmen were hoping the tension in the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia caused by British and Italian relations would not lead the British Cabinet to make precipitate decisions or formulate a policy for the League Council making conciliation impossible, says the Paris correspondent of “The Times.” Admittedly the hope of a favourable development between now and September 4 is most slender, but it is felt thafc calm and caution now may improve matters, while recriminations would only make matters worse. M. Laval undoubtedly will seize any offered opportunity for further conciliation, but the French Government is convinced that no opening will be found if anything is said or done to exasperate Italian feeling still further or make relaxation of Signor .Mussolini’s attitude impossible without humiliation.

French hopes for peace thus hang on the faint possibility of Italian initiative, but if these are dashed the French Government’s next concern will he to limit 'the inevitable conflict. Sanctions against Italy in the French view would run the risk of extending the conflict. If fighting must occur the French are hoping it will be brief and will take the form of the rapid seizure of undefended outlying points and areas, but whatever the course of events it is certain the French Government, while abating nothing its belief in support for the League of Nations as an instrument for European peace, will decline to use it in such a way as to bring into Europe a conflict which is at present confined to a more distant and less vital quarter of the globe.

In’view of the serious deterioration in Italian exchange ono of the “Big Five” banks has recalled its entire Italian credits, and other banks are expected to follow the lead. The decision is due to economic and not political considerations. The banks do not desire a repetition of the losses incurred in the German financial collapse.

The Barcelona correspondent of “The Times’’ says: “Indicating the : increasing European nervousness, ] Spanish troops to-day embarked for j Balearic Islands, which have hitherto 1 not been protected. Artillery units are feeing drafted in the direction of Gibraltar. Two warships will be stationed permanently at Gibraltar and two others will cruise in Balearic waters.” ! The Simla correspondent of “The ! Times” says the 14th Punjab Regiment is being dispatched from Bombay to augment the guard at the British 1 Legation at Addis Ababa.