RUSSIA’S STAND

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

RUSSIA’S STAND

SUPPORTING THE LEAGUE

Standing by Obligations

ASSEMBLY’S OPPORTUNITY

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) GENEVA, Sept. 16.

“I listened with particular interest and satisfaction to Sir Samuel Hoare's defence of collective security,” said M. Maxim Lltvinoff (Russia), in the Assembly. “If the Council’s efforts fail and the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia comes before us, Russia will pass its judgment with an impartiality and courage that will not be shaken by intimidation or abuse. The Soviet is opposed to the system of colonies, spheres of influence or imperialism. For us there is only one question—defence of the Covenant as an instrument of peace for use in all cases of aggression.

“The Soviet will be second to none in loyally discharging its obligations. If, instead, of a declaration of liberty

of action, Italy came with a formal, well-founded complaint of Abyssinian acts of aggression she would obtain justice and proof of sympathy.” M. Litvinoff urged the necessity for a clear definition of what constitutes aggression. He also reminded delegates that if they were sufficiently resolute they had the opportunity of making the present assembly a landmark in new history of the League.

ITALY TEMPORISING

Forces Equal to Any Threat

NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE

ROME, Sept. 15

A lengthy Cabinet meeting was held to-day and another will be held on Wednesday next, which suggests that Italy is temporising. Extra police and carbinieri are guarding the British and French Embassies to prevent incidents. After the Cabinet meeting to-day the following communique was issued: The preparations in East Africa are proceeding with greater intensity in order to safeguard us against the preponderating Abyssinian forces being mobilised. The council of Ministers welcomes M. Laval’s cordial words regarding Franco-Italian agreements. Italy intends to develop the friendship. These agreements were created in the interests ot the two countries and the whole European co-operation, which cannot be broken by conflict of a colonial character or the use of sanctions, which were never applied in far greater previous controversies between members of the League. In this connection the Ministers examined the circumstances under which Italy’s continued membership of the League might become impossible.

Il Duce demonstrated that the Italian forces, military, naval and aerial, were sufficient to meet any threat from whatever quarter. He added that, in view of the restlessness of certain Cyrenaic circles, reinforcements in Libya were now proceeding. The communique says that Sir Samuel Hoare’s and M. Laval’s speeches could not be different for evident reasons in view of the AngloFrench position regarding the League Covenant. For this reason they were received with the greatest calm in responsible quarters and by Italians generally. It adds that Cabinet is noting the forces of anti-Fascistn gathering abroad and feels that it is its duty to affirm in a most explicit manner that the ItaloAbyssinian problem does not admit of a compromise after Italy’s huge efforts and sacrifices and the irrefutable documentation the Italians presented at Geneva.