Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1935. CRISIS AT GENEVA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 258, 28 September 1935, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1935. CRISIS AT GENEVA.

Under Article 15 of the League of Nations Covenant the Council has adopted the report of the Committee of Live, and will submit its own report and recommendations to the Assembly in the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. All efforts to promote conciliation have failed, chiefly because Signor Mussolini, while declaring in one breath that Italy wants peace,, retains his intransigent attitude. All along he has frustrated the League in having the dispute submitted to arbitration, and efforts to find a solution through diplomatic channels have been rendered nugatory because they did not recognise his right of dominion over a League State. Under the League’s machinery the Council referred the dispute to a Committee of Live to report. It was drawn from Britain, Lrance, Spain, and Turkey (members of the Council with vital interests in the Mediterranean) with Poland as the fifth member. Signor Mussolini lodged objections to Britain and l'rance being represented on the Committee but gave way. Their delegates’ presence was a prime necessity in view of the important part both countries had taken in the Paris negotiations. The Committee’s labours were prompt and fruitful. A plan Las drawn up recommending the appointment of foreign advisers in Abyssinia, the withdrawal of Italian troops, and the grant to Italy of Ogaden and Danakil in exchange for portions of British and Lrench Somaliland. Italy’s special economic interests in Abyssinia were thereby recognised in the report—the necessity for an outlet for her surplus population and economic exploitation. An effect of the exchange of territory would be to give Abyssinia an outlet to the Ited Sea and Italy naturally objects, fearing for her future security if her neighbour should become a maritime Power, a rather weak objection in the light of present history, and a remote possibility. Abyssinia has intimated her willingness to arbitrate upon the report, but Signor Mussolini has contemptuously and with no regard for his country’s obligations refused to accept the plan. In the circumstances the League Council can only proceed as laid down in the Covenant. It has accepted the Committee’s report and in accordance with Article 15 will submit to the Assembly its own statement and recommendations. The essential clause reads: “If the dispute is not settled, the Council either unanimously or by a majority vote shall make a report containing a statement of the facts of tin dispute, and the recommendations which are deemed just and proper in regard thereto.” Italy has threatened to withdraw from the League if this Article is invoked. It has been and her course of action will be awaited with no greater interest than the Council’s recommendations! These refer to ■ the imposition of sanctions in accordance with Article 16, which Signor Mussolini, declares will, should they be brought into force, be met with armed opposition. That is tantamount to an Italian declaration of war against Powers that subscribe to the ideals and collective security of the League. But sanctions can only be imposed if the Powers are in unanimity, and in spite of Prance’s adherence to the League she is a doubtful partner in the _ efforts to convince Signor Mussolini that war against Abyssinia is not only unnecessary and abhorrent, but should rightly be prevented by the machinery of the Covenant. A League weakened by defections and the absence of America

has been confronted at a critical time in its history with its greatest trial, and in spite of all it can do to find a peaceful issue is contemptuously spurned by Italy’s Dictator. The crisis lias grown very grave; Abyssinia is mobilising her forces to defend their native land, and war seems imminent. Even so Italian public opinion would prefer a peaceful settlement rather than embarkation upon hostilities which may have unexpected and most serious repercussions. A way out should be found to avert a catastrophe.