CHANCES FOR PEACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 229, 26 August 1935, Page 7

CHANCES FOR PEACE

“NOW LITTLE HOPE.” FEELING IN LONDON. BRITAIN AND LEAGUE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.) LONDON, Aug. 24.

The political correspondent of the Sunday Times says that official circles in London liavo now - little liopo that an Italo-Abyssinian war can bo averted. This, however, will not lessen the Government’s determination to utilise the League’s machinery to the fullest extent.

The application of sanctions is complicated by the fact that Germany, Japan, and America are outside the League. Japan has shown signs of sympathy with Abyssinia and might agree to co-operate with the League. Germany, however, will certainly be hostile. America has declared in favour of isolation. Britain is determined that it will not be any fault of liers if tho collective system fails.

The Daily Telegraph’s political correspondent saj's that reliable information reaching London suggests that Signor Alussolini is pondering deeply the prospect that Britain Is prepared to co-operate in collective restraints. He insists that there is no common sense or justification in transforming a colonial war into a European conflagration. He complains already that Britain has compelled him to double his material effort by encouraging Abyssinian resistance. Nevertheless, lie feejs that nothing must interfere with his plans for military occupation of Abyssinia. He refuses to admit that these should be regarded as a campaign of conquest. On the contrary, the operations envisaged arc to be officially described as “preventive police action.” Italy does not propose to recall her Minister from Addis Ababa, lmt is anxious to send a battalion of troops to reinforce the legation guard in the Abyssinian capital. The Alannhester Guardian’s political correspondent emphasises that Cabinet s decision means far more than a reaffirmation of tho general familiar principles, because it has created a new situation for Signor Alussolini. Tt is still possible, and even likely, that an Italian invasion of Abyssinia will begin in September, but tho British decision makes it very difficult to believe that a military conquest of Abyssinia as planned by Signor Alussolini will be ■ possible, for certain restraints which are operating progressively can hardly fail decisively to affect Italy’s action. Such restraints would be imposed only as a last resource. No communication so far has been made to Signor Alnssolini, but lie will certanly be informed in due course of the difficulties confronting him if lie persists in waging a war of conquest m defiance of the League.