ITALY’S POSITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 139, 14 May 1936, Page 7

ITALY’S POSITION

CRITICAL POINT REACHED. MEMBERSHIP OF LEAGUE. DETERMINING FACTORS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 13. The Morning Post’s Rome correspondent says Italian relations with Europe are now at tho most critical point. Italy’s decision whether to leave tho League will depend not only on sanctions and tlio League’s attitude to tho annexation of Abyssinia, but on tho German reply to tne British questionryiire. Tne policy of the new French Government, and Asiatic and American developments, will also play a part, lor Italy does not intend to leave tho League without first consolidating friendships at all possible points. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini’s curt telegram to Baron Aloisi said: “iou are to leave Geneva by the first available train. If explanations are asked state you have no further instructions.” This is not interpreted as a prelude to Italy’s resignation from the League, the Government’s Spokesman declaring that Signor Mussolini still believed that the league was a necessary institution, but so long as a so-called Abyssinian delegate sat at the council table Italy would remain absent. Moreover, Italy would refuse to collaborate in European affairs or even recognise her Locarno obligations until sanctions were abolished. No foreign Government has yet recognised the Italian annexation of Abyssinia, while so far only two congratulatory telegrams have been received, namely one from Prince Starhemberg and one from the Crown Prince of Germany, which German newspapers have been forbidden to publish. MESSAGE TO DUCE. FROM AUSTRIAN FASCIST. (Times Cables.) LONDON, May 13. The Vienna correspondent of the Times says that Prince Starhemberg (Vice-Chancellor of Austria and leader of the Heimwehr) telegraphed to Signor Mussolini as follows: “In the consciousness of Fascist solidarity, I congratulate you in the name of all who are fighting for tho Fascist ideal in Austria on the glorious and magnificent victory gained by the Italian Fascist armies over barbarism, on the victory of tho Fascist spirit over deinoctratic dishonesty and cowardice, and on the victory of the 1* ascist self-sacrificing spirit and disciplined determination over demagogic mendacity. Long live the clear-signted leader of glorious Fascist Italy.” Prince Starhemberg will visit Rome on May IV for a football match between Austria and Italy. Political circles at Rome attach the greatest importance to the visit. THE ITALIAN TASK. EXPLORATION IN ABYSSINIA. (Times Cables.) LONDON, May 13. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times says that Marshal Badoglio, in a statement to newspaper men, said that Italy’s first task in Abyssinia would bo exploration, which would proceed simultaneously with military occupation. Once the Italians had properly garrisoned tho country, the main means of maintaining order would be a strong air force. He admitted that the country could not bo disarmed either easily or rapidly, and estimated that there were still 100,000 rifles in the whole of Abyssinia. Nevertheless, no Abyssinian armed forces worthy of the n«inie now remained, but only unorganised brigand bands. DOCTOR’S STORY. TREATMENT BY ITALIANS. SIGNED STATEMENT EXPLAINED. LONDON, May 12. How the Pole, Dr. Belau, and his assistant, T. Medyusky, were treated by Italians until Dr. Belau signed a statement regarding Italian bombing is related in Dr. Belau’s own story, which is appearing in the News-Chron-icle. Dr. Belau, who withdrew tiori mentioned on Febraury 27 after his arrival at Geneva, states: When we were captured, soldiers wanted to shoot us, but an officer sent us to divisional headquarters, where we were assaulted and kept kneeling for five minutes until tho Italians chained me to my cook and two helpers. When I was released Medyusky and myself were placed with our backs to a wall and 12 soldiers, armed with rifles, took up positions, but someone intervened. I was overcome with shock and cried like a child. The Italians took us to Makale, an officer saying that the soldiers wanted to kill us, but if I spoke well for Italy Marshal Badoglio could save our lives. We received no food or water all day, and during the night we were taken out three times and ordered to turn our backs to a firing squad while soldiers opened and closed the breeches of their rifles. Finally, amid laughter, we were sent back to our tent. lon davs later an official informed me: “Marshal Badoglio is very angry and wiil court martial you, when there will be only one verdict. You will be shot'. If you are wise you will sign the declaration I give you.” I was suffering owing to beating and the continual exhibition of hatred, but only signed a paper declaring that I would protest against tho bombing of Dessie. We were then sent to Massawa, 26 hours’ journey in a lorry, without food or water. After this we spent three days in a prison cell with a cement floor, and received bread and water once dailv. Finally I signyd the declaration the Italians desired only in order to save my life. An Adowa cable dated April 27 reported that Dr. Belau had retracted the statement he made on December 7, which was forwarded to the League of Nations, declaring that Italian aeroplanes bombed the Red Cross hospital at Dessie. He explained, it was stated, that he signed this statement without reading it, being forced to do so while performing a surgical operation in the presence of Haile Selassie. Dr Belau and an assistant, Thaddeus Medjusky, who remained in a cavern with revolvers in their hands on the last night of the Italian assault, surrendered imediately the Italians captured Amba Aradam.