The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1935. THE WAR CLOUD

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1935. THE WAR CLOUD

If and when Italy takes overt action in Abyssinia', there will’ be a difficult situation for the 'Great, Powers to Unravel. There is a very grave crisis in the (offing, 'iUtlWugh the possibilities of an appeal to arms must be fully realised by Mussolini. According to late English papers the aggressive action which seemed probable would lie a betrayal of the League principles. We have seen how Japan went out of the League because of criticism about Manchurian ambitions. The League under protest accepted the position, and Japan has dug in on the Asian territory and is expanding her influence. That lesson has not been lost to Italy. However great consideration has boon shown, and the continental language on the subject is very moderate. Italy besides being a member of the League is also pledged under‘the Kellogg Pact. If these ties fail to hold Italy to the rules of the League, what are the Powers concerned to say and what is to become of the League? The international- - uproblwn becomes serious and tlm outlook indeed complicated. It would appear Italy is not. prepared to submit her rights in the dispute to tlm accepted tribunal. It seems a small thing for a great nation to do, when a weak and undeveloped State is the potential enemy. Apparently .Italy justs rif.s faith in the might of arms and numbers, and desires to become the conquering nation. Put the road to travel is a difficult one. The Abyssinian* are brave like all fanatical races, and Would he a. match in any hand to hand encounters. Italy might attempt to light from the air, and seek out the raiding parties. That could he .a prolonged process, and diseaso and desert difficulties would have to lie endured. The campaign could he made a very difficult one for the best equipped ol armies, and tbe country and nomadic life of the people would tend itself to place Mussolini very much in the wrong. And with the lavishing of a

native state, what are the other Pow» ers to say lor their connection with the League of Nations. Are. all solemn pledges and treaty signatures to be discarded? II so then Europe will be full of scraps of worthless paper, and hopes for peace in our time becomtij, «. vanishing quantity. Britain has attempted to lieal the breach and placate Italy. France, for all that Britain has done and Britain can do for her, refuses to co-operate. France places greater trust in Italy notwithstanding the experience of the great war. Germany must he looking on with some satisfaction at this division among the Allies. Italy has been the hacking nation to keep German hands off' Austria, if Italy becomes deeply involved in Abyssinia, meagre help could ho given Austria were Germany to become active for annexation, and France would find a more serious problem to face up to. The ramifications of European connections call at least for the nations to honour. their word and the treaties subscribed to if some assurance is to be given a.s to a reign of peace on the continent. A war m Abyssinia might easily result in fresh and more difficult consequences in Europe, and Italy would he,one of the first to suffer' under such a serious contingency.