Oil Sanctions

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 November 1935, Page 7

Oil Sanctions

-CRITICAL TIME FOR LAVAL BRITISH APPROVAL RUGBY, Nov. 25. 'Owing ,to the domestic preoccupations of the French Prime Minister, Al. Laval, the demands made upon his •time by the internal position in France, the proposed meeting of the Committee of Eighteen at Geneva, which had been arranged for November 29, has been postponed to a date to be fixed later.

The meeting was called by Senor Vasconcellos, President of the Committee, to consider the possibility of additions'to the list of commodities withheld ffdm Italy. Those additions, including coal and oil, were accepted in .principle! by the Committee at its last meeting subject to its being shown by investigation that additional measures could be made effective, in connection with which the attitude of non-mem->bar States is of importance.

The postponement of the meeting • was proposed by M. Laval to the British Ambassador in Paris, Sir George Clerk, who visited the Qnai d’Orsay .on Saturday afternoon. After consultation with London, the British Ambassador replied that in view of Uie .circumstances and of the fact that it was desirable that the French I'nme Minister should attend the meeting, ■the British Government was ready to ftorcc to postponement of the meeting. ° No Change of French Policy Owing to pressure of domestic, affairs it would be impossible for the French Prime Minister, Who is his own Foreign Minister, to attend the meeting, the character of which demanded authoritative French representatlbn. The desire of M. Laval for a postponement in these circumstances is well understood in London, and the British Government is in accord with the League chairman’s decision. It n likewise appreciated that the request does not imply any change in French policy regarding measures which the League Powers are ’called to take, as was emphasised to-day, according to a Paris Press telegram, by the French official spokesman, who added that it wan likely that the postponed League meeting would be held cany in Be-

• cember. Paris reports state that M. Laval will utilise such delay as might result dn further efforts at conciliation in pursuance of the request made by the League Co-ordination; Committee on

November 2 that the French and Bri-

tish Governments should work in the name of the League for the re-estab-lishment of peace. On Wednesday at Geneva experts are meeting to examine the working of the sanctions so far imposed, and delayed meeting of the Committee of Eighteen wilt give them additional time to prepare their report. It is expected that Senor Vasconcellos will review the position on November 29 with a view to fixing a new date lor the meeting.

Caustic Comment in U.S.A

Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 25

Reports from Geneva that the League has postponed the extension of sanctions to oil and the intimation that the united front by Britain and France against Italy has weakened, have provikod considerable caustic comment in the Press. In Washington, however, it is soiui-officially stated that the League’s action will have no effect on the Administration’s policy to discourage export trade in oil and other essential war materials.

Rout of Italians AN INTERRUPTED FEAST. (Received November 26, 2.30 p.m.), LONDON, Nov. 25,

lt is reported from Addis Ababa that Abyssinians assort that a detachment of Ras Seyoum’s troops under Dedazmatch Worres surprised and routed three Italian battalions which were enjoying a feast of roasted oxen commandeered from natives of Northern Makale. The Abyssinians killed the Italian commander and many soldiers, and captured eight horses and thirteen ammunition mules.

It is reported from Geledi that Italian tanks and aeroplanes captured an Abyssinian caravan en route to Jijiga and destroyed 25 lorries.