MOVE BY THE DUCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 259, 30 September 1935, Page 7

MOVE BY THE DUCE.

APPEAL TO BRITAIN. ROME, Sept. 28. Signor Mussolini presided at a Council of Ministers. A communique states that it was decided that Italy was not going to leave the League until the League assumed full _ responsibility for measures against Italy. The communique adds: “Italian policy. has no immediate or remote aims likely to injure British interests. On the contrarfy, Italy is ready to negotiate an agreement harmonising with legitimate interests in East _ Africa and will avoid action extending the Abyssinian conflict to Europe. However, she cannot take seriously the Emperor’s withdrawal of troops from the frontier, which has a strategic not a pacific object and masks preparations in the interior, fortifying Ethiopian troops in stronger positions. Consequently sailings of Italians divisions have been accelerated.” The communique stresses the nation’s calmness and support for the Fascist regime, which will shortly show the world a thorough civil mobilisation unprecedented in history. Italy is not taking the initiative at Geneva, where her rights have been disregarded from the outset. The communique is interpreted as an appeal to Britain to reconsider her attitude toward Italy’s “rightful claim. Commentators emphasise its friendliness to Britain, also the unusual procedure in pointing out p 3 “the British people, despite the efforts of anti-Fascists to mislead them, Italy’s readiness to negotiate. Nevertheless the newspapers have resumed their attacks on Britain.