GENEVA EFFORTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 231, 16 September 1935, Page 7

GENEVA EFFORTS

CONCILIATION FORMULA

Re-shaping of Paris Offer

ABYSSINIAN DEVELOPMENT

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 16, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 14.

The continued hope of conciliation in the Italo-Abyssinian dispute which was expressed by M. Laval in the League Assembly has directed renewed attention to the work of the Committee of Five. Its sub-committee was closely engaged yesterday on examination of proposals for settlement, and their work continues. It is not expected that their report will be ready for presentation to the Council before Monday.

The proposals upon which the subcommittee is at work are based on the principles and suggestions made during the Paris negotiations, with the introduction of certain new elements; but there is no question of any concession that would involve Abyssinia’s sovereign rights and political independence.

Broadly stated, the aim of the Paris proposals was to give Abyssinia collective assistance for which she asks to facilitate her social and economic development. Newspapers state that this would be coupled with certain territorial concessions to Italy and provision for securing Abyssinian access to the sea. The proposals provided for collective guarantees of stability for any arrangements entered into, and it is contemplated that the whole plan should be exercised in the name of the League. The committee’s proposals will probably be found to depart from those under consideration at Paris in several respects, but in particular the possibility’of carrying out the scheme, by expansion of the three-Power treaty of 1908 into a four-Power treaty with Abyssinia, as a signatory appears to have been dropped in favour of what would be essentially a League solution.

THREAT TO CLOSE SUEZ

Might Bring Duce to Knees

LONDON, Sept. 15.

What is the story behind M. Laval’s speech? The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent understands that M. Laval transmitted the first draft to Signor Mussolini on Thursday and that the text was afterwards substantially altered and made more emphatic in support of the League. “The Times” correspondent at Geneva says that the speech does not necessarily mean that M. Laval is yet. inclined to pledge himself to the hilt on the question of sanctions. These will, if applied, begin with economic and financial measures.

The “Manchester Guardian’s” Geneva correspondent says: “I am able to say that M. Laval definitely pledged the French Government to participate in economic and financial sanctions if the attempt at conciliation fails. I understand that M. Laval has given an undertaking to Signor Mussolini that France will not join in any but these sanctions as long as he is Prime Minister. Signor Mussolini has said that he would not regard French participation to this extent as an unfriendly act. He believes that such sanctions would not be effective. He and M. Laval appear to think that when Italy has won a victory and avenged Adowa, negotiations could be resumed, but that does not appear to be the opinion of the British delegation. “Signor Mussolini, on the other hand, fears the closing of the Suez Canal, which, cutting off the Italian Army in Africa and depriving it of supplies, would compel speedy capitulation. Indeed, in the opinion of many well-informed people here, an ultimatum from Geneva threatening to close the Suez Canal in 24 hours would bring Signor Mussolini to his knees.”

ABYSSINIA’S REPLY

Errors in Italy’s Case

LONDON, Sept. 15.

The Associated Press special correspondent at Geneva says that the first portion of the Abyssinian reply to Italy’s 700-page indictment has been issued. It deals with scientific aspects and was prepared by M. Marcel Griaule, French ethnographer and author of several works on Abyssinia. He declared that the Italian documents were carelessly drawn up and many of the witnesses cited had not been consulted, while an error in a date of one thousand years discourages serious examination.

M. Griaule adds: “The memorandum does not justify foreign Powers’ intervention. Abyssinia proposes impartial inquiry by experts.” Ignoring Signor Mussolini’s no-com-promise decision, which has caused a sensation in the lobbies, the Conciliation Commission is submitting to Italy and Abyssinia a questionnaire dealing with concessions which Italy demanded Abyssinia should accept under the scheme for international control. It is believed that the questionnaire will be adopted, as Signor Mussolini thus far has refused to reveal his maximum demand. 1 be Committee of Five has drawn up a statement of possible concessions and ti'e Italian Cabinet will consider them on Wednesday. Then rejection is asmed to be certain. Consequently it is likely i the Council on Wednesday might be confronted ni l. an imna«se.