AVOIDANCE OF WAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 232, 29 August 1935, Page 7

AVOIDANCE OF WAR

PLEA BY THE POPE. ANALYSIS OF SITUATION. “EVERYTHING MUST BE TRIED.” (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Co py r igh t.) Received August 29, 10.25 a.m. VATICAN CITY, Aug. 28. His Holiness the Pope directly alluded to the Italo-Abyssinian crisis when addressing a pilgrimage of international nurses. He invoked the help of Almighty God for those working to settle the question without bloodshed. Everything must be tried to avoid war. All international difficulties must find a peaceful solution. “Abroad wo see that they speak of a war of conquest. Such a war would be plainly unjust and unbelievably sad and horrible. Jn Italy they say it will bo a just war, because it is defence in order to ensure her frontiers against continual dangers, that war is necessary for tho expansion of the population, which is increasing daily, that it would bo a war to defend and ensure Imperial progress. However true that be, if there exist these necessities we can only hope the solution can be arrived at without war. Truly it is not easy to say how, but we don’t believe it impossible,” declared His Holiness.

EXPULSION OF ABYSSINIA, REQUEST BY THE DUCE.

POSSIBILITY OF MANDATE,

LONDON, Aug. 28. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that, Signor Cerutti, Italian Ambassador at Paris, during a conversation with M. Laval, confirmed Signor .Uussolini’s intention of proposing Abyssina’s expulsion from tlie League, and promised that documents in support of that proposal would be communicated to the French Government in a few days. Ho added that Signor Mussolini would insist on a settlement by the Council without reference to the Assembly. No indication of the official attitude toward Signor Mussolini’s latest move is yet available, but the idea is fervidly welcomed by a section of the French Press as affording an avenue of escape from tlie country’s present dilemma. The mere possibility that Signor Mussolini may be prepared to continue to use the League’s peace machinery is held to offer an inestimable respite, while Britain is reminded that, bv laying his case before the Council, Signor Mussolini will remove the real issues which have so far divided British and Italian opinion. From this starting point it is argued that the League, if the justice of tho Italian cause is admitted, might even grant an Italian mandate over Abyssinia which might be rendered effective by what one French newspaper calls “somewhat severe police operation.” Other euphemisms for authorised war are suggested, all of them based on tlie assumption that British objections to tlie absorption of Abyssinia can now be removed or averted. Meanwhile, the French Press makes a strong and almost desperate appeal to Signor Mussolini to refrain from attacking in defiance of all his engagements. The Daily Mail’s Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini is sending a veritable library to the League Council meeting on September 4 to prove Italy’s case against Abyssinia, including Lady Simon’s slavery book and numerous British White Papers, in addition to photographs and other documents hearing on every phase of Abyssinian life. The documentation will be divided into several sections, including Abyssinia’s non-observance of her international obligations, slavery, the barbarous oppression of black peoples under Abyssinia’s rule, the complete lack of justice, and tlie extremely low level of civilisation, even among the mostprogressive section of the population. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Cosmo Lang, in a letter to tlie Times referring to Mr Lansbury’s proposal for a “Truce of God,” says be is considering how far it may ho achieved.

In the meantime lie advises Christians to bear witness to the spiritual power which alone can establish peace, and share in establishing international justice and order.

PROPOSALS_FOR LEAGUE, PLAN REJECTED BY ITALY

ANGLO-FR ENCH PE RSISTENCE,

Received August 29, 11.40 a.m

LONDON, Aug. 28. Tlie rains are ceasing' in Abyssinia and are removing the obstacle to Signor Mussolini’s designs. The momentous Cabinet meeting at Bolzano, the Pope’s forcible declaration against war, and France’s strong delegation to Geneva are the outstanding features of the day’s news, but no less significant is the indication from an informed quarter of the Anglo-French policy at Geneva. It is learned that the Anglo-French proposals which were rejected by Italy during the recent three-Power conversations in Paris will be laid before the Council. Both Governments still think the proposals are worthy of better treatment than they received. British circles believe they will convince most of the members of the Council that a fair offer, giving Italy almost everything sho could possibly get by conquest, has been made. The offer will be revived before broaching the question of sanctions. PRLTARINGjm GENEVA. MR It. A. EDEN BUSY. ■ (British Official Wireless.) iteceived August 20, 11.25 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 28. Mr It. A. Eden, who received a visit from the Spanish Ambassador and the Latvian Minister, will probably travel on Monday to Geneva. Mr Eden will report on the breakdown of the three-Power talks in l’aris ; and it is anticipated that Baron Aloisi will liave the case to present on behalf of Italy. No arrangements have been made for Air Eden to break his journey at Paris. The French Cabinet met to-dav and is reported to have discussed fully the international situation after an exhaustive account of the Paris conference contributed by M. Laval. The French delegates to the League Assembly include, besides M. Laval, M Herriot and M. Paul Boncour. Senator Pope, of Idaho, who is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate, had an interview with Sir Samuel Hoare (Foreign Minister). Mr Pope is in London in an entirely private capacity and was received by the Foreign Secretary at the request of tho American Embassy as a dis-

tinguished American travelling in Europe. There was no communication of any kind received from him or given to him. RIGHTS OFMITAIN. RESPECT BY ITALY. LONDON, Aug. 28. Mr Ward Price, cabling to the Daily Mail from Bolzano, where the Italian manoeuvres are being held, says: Signor Mussolini informed me that tbo Government, after the coming Cabinet meeting, would declare its complete readiness to respect all tho British Empire’s rights, thus disposing of any suggestion that Italy’s plans are prejudicial to British interests. The dominant impression of to-day’s manoeuvres was the worship of | Signor Mussolini by soldiers and civilians. The eyes of tho troops shone as thev- marched past or when the Duce addressed them. Villagers cheered him frantically. The Rome correspondent of the Times says that departures of troops for East Africa are now almost continuous.

IT ALI AN_ACTIYIT Y. WARSHIP RECALLED

Received August 29, 10.35 a.in. ROME, Aug. 28. Marchese Marconi, at the end of September, will join the engineering section of the Signal Corps m East Africa. He is renouncing tho rank of captain in the navy. It is officially denied that Somalis have deserted to Abyssinia. A Shanghai message says the Italian cruiser Quarto has been recalled to Europe and sails on Friday with se\eral Italian aviation instructors, who were lent to China.

BEEF FROM AFRICA.

PROTEST BY WOMEN

Received August 29, 10.35 a.m. CAPETOWN, Aug. 28. The first cargo of 1000 tons of beef has left Durban for Eritrea. Women s organisations protested that the shipments would lead to higher prices. A paper supporting the Malan group’s policy warns the public of the danger of participating ill a boycott or Italy.

NEUTRALITY BILL. SIGNED BY PRESIDENT

Received August 29, 8.5 a.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 27. President Roosevelt has signed the Neutrality Bill.

The Bill, designed to safeguard United States neutrality in the event of a foreign war, includes authority for the President to prohibit United States citizens travelling in ships of belligerent nations, except at their own risk, authority for the President to prevent ships, foreign or American, from carrying men or supplies to belligerent vessels at sea, a mandatory embargo on the export of arms, munitions, and implements of war to all belligerents in a foreign conflict, and a system of licensing munitions manufacture and export as the permanent policy of the Government along the lines of the Geneva Arms Treaty of 1925, ratified earlier in the session by the Senate.

DAY OF PRAYER. FOR ANGLICAN CHURCH

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Aug. 29

At the request of the Bishops assembled here, Archbishop Averill has appointed Sunday next as a day of special prav.er for peace in connection with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s call for prayer in tho Italo-Abyssinian dispute.