HOPES SHATTERED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 111, 11 April 1936, Page 9

HOPES SHATTERED

ITALY INFLEXIBLE. GENEVA TALKS ADJOURNED. TILL AFTER EASTER. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received April 11, 10.40 a.in. GENEVA, April 10. The Committee of Thirteen met privately to consider Senor Madariga’s report oil his conversations with Baron Aloisi (Italy), also to discuss further action regarding the poison gas allegations.

It is understood the hopes of an armistice were ‘ shattered owing to Italy’s inflexibility. Baron Aloisi told Senor Madariaga that he was not authorised even, to discuss the subject. Ho had come to Geneva solely to attend the Locarno meeting, after which he, was immediately returning to Rome. Barop Aloisi reminded Senor Madariaga of Signor Mussolini’s invitation to visit Borne. He re-emphasised Italy’s willingness to send a delegate to Geneva after Easter. During the committee discussions, Mr R. A. Eden, supported by Senoi Madariaga, strongly opposed an adjournment for Easter. He desired the committee to remain in permanent session to keep a close watch on Senor Madariaga’s discussions. Other delegates, including M. Flandin, pleaded for an adjournment to enable them to leave Geneva, upon which the meeting adjourned until April 16. Senor Madariaga is not accepting Signor Mussolini’s invitation to. go to Rome, but will make contact with the Italians directly they arrive at Geneva after Easter. LIVELY DEBATE. ALLEGED USE OF GAS. Received April 11, 10.45 a.m. GENEVA, April 10. It is understood that during the committee’s discussions M. Fiandui and M. Titulescu expressed the opinion that the League should keep hei hands off the peace negotiations at much as possible. Mr Eden said that Abyssinia insisted on negotiations within the framework of the League. If Italy offered drastic terms outside it the negotiations would probably collapse. M. Flandin warmly replied that in that event the League would know Abyssinia was responsible for prolonging the war. Mr Eden heatedly retorted that the League had faced the aggressor anc. the victim, and could not refuse support to the latter. The committee had also noted the communications from the International It'd . Cross Committee, refusing the League’s request for information of tiie alleged gas attacks and bombings. . The. Rpd Cross, on the ground that it is itsen inquiring about these matters, states that it cannot hand over documentary material concerning an inquiry bearing partly on the same facts. It adds ; We are prepared to send a mission to Abyssinia to wat-cli roi violations of international agreements. Mr Eden vigorously criticised the Red Cross refusal to supply information After the adjournment of the Committee of Thirteen, Abyssinia sent a Note to the League alleging that poison gas had been used at Daggabur and Sasa Baneh, eighty persons suffering horribly. Abyssinia requested the •Committee of Thirteen to hear a Polish doctor, Dr. Belau, a prisoner of the Italians, who had compelled him under threat of death- to sign a false statement concerning the bombing of the American Red Cross Hospital at Dessie. Italy has sent a further memorandum to the League alleging atrocities among Italian prisoners, adding that these prevent the Abyssinians complaining about the Italians. FIEECE FIGHTING. ON BOTH FRONTS. HEAVY CASUALTIES. Received April 11, 11 a.m. GENEVA, April 9. The fierce fighting continues on the northern and southern fronts in AbysReports from Addis Ababa state that the Italian forces are attempting to encircle the Abyssinians in the Karan Valley (in the south) With the object of occupying Dagabur. Ras Nasibu is fighting desperately and there are heavy casualties on both sides and the issue is still indecisive. lias Nasibu’s communique states that the Italians are using poison gas. 'Planes raided Sasa Baneh and Dagabur, leaving a trail of gas, horribly burning numbers of the population. Messages from Rome confirm that the bombing Was carried out by 22 ’planes as a prelude to an offensive against Harar. The Italians at Asmara claim that the Abyssinian War Minister (Ras Tetaclio) was killed during fierce fighting on the northern front, .south-west of Marava, where Azebugalla tribesmen attacked a strong force of Abyssinians and slaughtered two or three thousand.

■Count C'iano, after a reconnaissance flight, reported that the road from Quroram to Dessie' was complet&ly clear for the Italian advance. Dessie ■appeared to have been abandoned. White sheets and flags were laid on many houses north of Dessie. Rome reports that, replying to Signor Mussolini’s expressed determination to continue the war until the Abyssinian troops are annihilated, Maishal Badoglio, has ’telegraphed him assuring him that the armies, will not rest until the enemy is completely destroyed. -. ITALIAN SNEER. AT RED CROSS WORKERS. Received April 11 10.45 a.m. ROME, April 10. Reviewing the charge that British firms are supplying the Abyssinians with dum-diun bullets, Signor Gayda, in his latest article in the Giornale D’ltalia, sneers at the British Red Cross officers’ veracity, with reference to the use of poison gas. “The functions of these missions often turn out more than mysterious, marking a fine line between humanitarian work and military collaboration and espionage,” he declares . OIL RESOURCES. Received April 11. 10.45 a.m. ROME, April 10. Italy lias granted a loan of six/ty million .lire to Albania, also an annual loan of ten million gold francs for ten years. It is understood that Italy desires to exploit the Albanian oil resources.