SAFEGUARD OF PEACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 10

SAFEGUARD OF PEACE

HOPES CENTRE ON GENEVA. REACTION TcT DECISION. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received September 27, 1.10 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 27. The Associated Press Geneva correspondent points out that the most discussed phrase of Mr R. A. Eden’s speech was his reference to possible further measures to safeguard peace during the Council’s preparation of its report. The Associated Press was assured that Mr Eden did not intend the phrase as signifying the minimisation of the British objection to action ing taken outside the Council. Further, the Ethiopian request for the dispatch of impartial observers must lie considered in relation to the practical difficulties. Rome reports that the Italian reaction is that Italy expected nothing from the League and was not mistaken. Signor Virginio Gayda, in the Giornale d’ltalia, reiterates that Italy will not accept the League’s dictation, adding: When Japan refused to accept the same principle neither the League nor any other Power reacted. FRANCE RELIEVED. The Times Paris correspondent says the League’s decision, though not welcomed, has been received with relief because, failing a hostile-Italian move in Abyssinia, sanctions will not be practical until the resources of Article 15 are exhausted. The Press emphasises that the period of formulating the report offers possibly the last chance of keeping the dispute within manageable limits. . . France, meanwhile, is increasing her defences on the Djibouti railway. WHAT DECISION MEANS. THREE MONTHS’ PEACE. OR ITALY ISOUTLAAVED. Received September 27, 1.10 p.m. GENEVA, Sept. 26. “One of the greatest decisions in history,” was the delegates’ description of the Council’s action. This well summarises the general feeling m League circles. The Council, in order to avoid giving umbrage to Italy, has hitherto avoid raising the question as to which Article would govern its procedure. There can henceforth be no further evasion of this issue.

The position is that for three months after the adoption of the report (under Paragraph 4 of Article 15) of the Committee of Thirteen stating the facts of the dispute and the recommendations thereon, no member of the League may resort to war without incurring the penalties under Article 16. This means, m effect, that Italy will become an outlaw nation it she resorts to war in Abyssinia before January. It will obviously be difficult to secure unanimity among the Committee ot Thirteen, especially m view ot tie opinion of M. Litvmoft, M. Titulescu and M. Tewfik Aras that the plan offered to Abyssinia transcended then view of what was due to the liitegn y of any State member of the League. la view of the ending of the rainy season in Abyssinia the committee will expedite the report, the completion ot which is expected within ten days.

■ CAN PREVENT WAR. SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN’S VIEW. STRENGTH OUT OF TRIAL. (British Official Wireless.) R eodvedS el ,tci»b«r G 27 t 1|16 t i,,n. Si, Austen Chamberlain, ill reply to the London correspondent ol_ the I ans Figaro, said: “I remain convinced that intimate and continuous collaboration between Britain and France at Geneva can still prevent war. The League of Nations will emerge from this tnal tuumohant or irrevocably weakened. By the resolute action of all its membeis it, can create a precedent which will bring about action on another occasion if the danger of aggression appears in Europe. lt “Britain is not acting out of selfinterest. Fidelity to the Covenant is the cause of her action. ~ “The strength of attachment to the League shown by public opinion m England has surpriesd even its leaders. If Britain refuses to increase her commitments she remains faithful to those sire has already, undertaken. She wonders only whether other nations are prepared to do as much, because Britain will not, and cannot, act alone. The whole country, indeed the whole Empire is I believe ready to support the Government in its l contribution to the _ authori y of the League of Nations m accoidance with the obligations into which we have entered. We also support the Government in making clear that there is no question ot single act on bv Britain,” he continued. We m tins country are sorry there has been an angry campaign against us m tn Italian Press and very glad our own newspapers have made no rejoinder Tlie issue does not lie between Italy and Britain; it lies between Italy and the League of Nations He regarded the British Navy as fully competent to discharge any duty which might be required of it this iyear or next year, but the future must Ibe provided for. IN EVENT OF AGGRESSION.

The British Government’s reply to the French Government’s enquiries regarding Britain’s attitude to any act of aggression in Europe was handed to-day to the French Ambassador in London. The text will be published after the French Government lias received it, probably some time next week. The League Council’s new Committee of Thirteen is expected to start work to-morrow. The Council did not reach any decision on the renewed application by the Abyssinian Government for the despatch of neutral observers to frontier districts, and it is possible that the committee will discuss this matter.

Mr R. A. Eden is the British member of the committee.