LEAGUE COUNCIL’S DECISION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 7

LEAGUE COUNCIL’S DECISION

TO BE MADE TO-MOBROW RECEPTION 0E REPORT ITALY REITERATES POSITION (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received September 25, 9.25 a.m. GENEVA, Sept.‘24, The Associated Press special correspondent says the Committee of Live has drawn up its report in readiness for the League Council. Prior to the meeting Mr It. A. Eden received the heads of all the Dominion delegations and gave them an explanation of the Committee of Five’s probable report, but no indication of the line of action when the Council meets. It is understood that Mr S. M. Bruce will supply Mr Eden later to-day with the full text of Mr J. A. Lyons’s speech, which was one of the topics of this morning’s meeting, the Empire representatives apparently interpreting it as consistent with the utterances of the British and other Dominion spokesmen. The Council will meet on Thursday morning to receive the Committee’s report and decide the future action. Rome reports that, after a Cabinet a communique was issued stating that the Duce had explained that Italy had not presented counter-proposals to those from Geneva, but simply explained orally the reason w'hy the proposals of the Committee of Five were unacceptable. All that had happened since Saturday had demonstrated that Italy’s attitude could not have been different. The Duce then referred to the possibility of development of the situation on the basis of certain Articles of the League Covenant and the attitude -which Italy will assume according to the circumstances.

“WILL ADOPT REPORT.”

MEETING OF CABINET. ADHERENCE TO POLICY. MORE HOPEFUL ATMOSPHERE. (British Official Wireless.) Received September 25, 11.22 a.m. RUGBY, Sept. 24. The first meeting of Cabinet was held at Downing Street to-day, when the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) presided, and there was a full attendance of Ministers, with the exception of Mr R. A. Eden. _ It is understood that Cabinet considered tlie developments in the international situation which had occurred since the last meeting, and it is assumed that Sir Samuel Hoare (Foreign Secretary), in reviewing the present position, acquainted his colleagues with the impressions gained on his visit to Geneva as well as with the latest reports received from Mr Eden. The attitude of His Majesty’s Government in foreign affairs, and in particular towards the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia, has been fully discussed by the Ministers on several occasions and was carefully explained in Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech in the League Assembly on September 11 and his speech in the House of Commons on July 12; and it is believed that Cabinet found no reason to change in any way the policy which, it has been made clear in recent weeks, enjoys the all but unanimous support of all parties and sections of public opinion. About two weeks ago the French Government instructed the French Ambassador in London to make an enquiry regarding the attitude of Britain in the event of an act of aggression in Europe in relation to collective security. The British reply is to be hande-d to the French Ambassador in the course of the next few days, aiM after it has been received by the French Government will be published. Another stage in the League oi Nations’ efforts to secure a settlement of tlie Italo-Abyssinian dispute ended to-day when the Committee of Five unanimously adopted the report prepared by Senor Do Madriaga for presentation to the Council.

THE LEAGUE COUNCIL,

ITALY’S HESITANCE,

Received September 25, 1.10 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 24

The Associated Press Geneva correspondent says there is little doubt that the League Council on Thursday will adopt the. Conciliation Committee’s report under Article 15 of tile Covenant.

To-day’s Italian communique does not provide a fresh basis for discussion owing to its vagueness, especially tbe final paragraph, which the Council will probably deliberate. Nevertheless, it is regarded as a further indication of Italian hesitauce. The Italians decline to discuss an interpretation of the communique and explain that they are awaiting the League’s move.

The Associated Press is informed : “Baron Aioisi very carefully read Mr J. A. Lyons’s speech and decided not to comment.”

TENSION DECREASES. ITALY WILLING TO NEGOTIATE. PRESS ATTACKS CEASE. LONDON, Sept. 24. The Daily Mail’s Pome correspondent says:—Optimistic forecasts are now being made regarding the Abyssinian dispute, based less on any material fact than on the general atmosphere of tiecreased tensiun which is growing constantly more noticeable. This atmosphere has been helped enormously by the British naval assurance, which is described as a most Impel ill feature of recent developments.

The correspondent emphasises that the central tact in the new situation is that Signor Mussolini has dehnitely indicated a willingness to negotiate. It is not believed that the other Powers will refuse to meet him halfway as it is considered inconceivable that the League's proposals represent the final “take or leave it” offer.

DEFINITE PROGRESS. Difficult as the situation is, there are many who believe that definite progress has been made in recent weeks as a result of the firm but conciliatory attitude of the Council and the loyal efforts of its chief members. Among the favourable factors noted are the close co-opera-tion between the French and British representatives and the fact that the attitude 6f the Governments which stood for the maintenance of the principles and authority of the League is now being appreciated more clearly.

The Rome correspondent of the Times says: Another factor helping to reassure Italiah opinion is the belief that Britain will not undertake unilateral action nor, it is believed, will there be unanimity in the Council regarding military sanctions. As Italy will apparently only see a casus belli in tne application of military sanctions it is not apprehended that the Abyssinian conflict will bring England and Italy face to face and lead to dangerous European developments. The correspondent also says that authoritative circles declare that it is now the League’s duty to examine the Italian reply (the counter-proposals contained m which have been rejected by the Committee of Five; which has now referred the dispute to the League Council). Italy hopes that the League will do so. It is pointed out that diplomatic conversations are proceeding, but no pressure whatever is being exercised by France and Britain on Italy. Altogether better feeling is noticeable.

Last night the British Ambassador at Rome was received by Signor Mussolini and delivered a message from Sir Samuel lioare intended, it is understood, to remove any misapprehension regarding the relations between the two countries which might have survived the conversations between Sir Eric Drummond and Signor Suvich last week, when mutual explanations of the recent military and naval movements in the Mediterranean were exchanged. The message was received cordially by Signor Mussolini who, it is believed, has as a result a much better understanding of the British attitude.

The Daily Telegraph’s Romo correspondent also declares that the British naval assurance has given the greatest satisfaction. The sky is now clearer than for weeks past. Anti-Britisli Press attacks and cartoons vanished overnight. Italian eyes are now turned to Geneva and the League’s examination of Signor Mussolini’s counter-proposals, of which a summary is published. The League’s proposals have also, for the first time, appeared in print. This is interpreted in some quarters as a sign that more hopeful conversations are proceeding at Borne, London, and Paris, also behind the scenes at Geneva. A “NEW START.” The Manchester Guardian’s Paris correspondent says that both Press and public anticipate a “new start,” but doubt whether the Council will go much beyond the offer already made to Italy, especially regarding tho demand for the disarmament of Abyssinia, although it is suggested that this might be carried out under international League control simultanepusly with Italy’s-demobilisation. Admittedly Britain is most unlikely to engage in military sanctions single-handed and, even regarding economic sanctions, France is still divided, but it is declared that Signor Mussolini knows that in a moment of real danger France will inevitably cling to Britain. It is also significant that even M. Laval has not felt it possible to assure Signor Mussolini that France will in no circumstances resort to military sanctions against Italy. The Times Addis Ababa correspondent reports that 1,033,000 Abyssimans are available to begin fighting. Their food is already assured and they are growing their hair long as a. protection from the sun during the campaign.

The satisfactory settlement for which the League Powers are working depends so much on the goodwill of all parties that any increase in mutual understanding, it is pointed out, is a valuable contribution to the endeavours which the League Council must renew on Thursday.

MINISTERS CONFER.

SHARE MARKETS BRIGHTER,

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 23. Mr Stanley Baldwin to-day was in consultation with Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr Neville Chamberlain and Mr Ramsay MacDonald.

The share markets are quiet but the tone is brighter. Government stocks showed a marked recovery.

PROBLEM OF SANCTIONS

FRENCH LABOUR VIEWS

Received September 25, 1.10 p.ro. PARIS, Sept. 24. The General Confederation of Labour passed a resolution in favour of economic sanctions against the aggressor in the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, the secre-tary-general (M. Jouhaux) emphasising that the majority had agreed that military sanctions were not desirable. While the Bourse has been persuaded that the trouble has been localised and is steadily recovering from last week’s pessimism, the newspapers see a greater menace to European peace in Germany’s attitude regarding Memel.