VIOLENT ARTICLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 3 July 1936, Page 9

VIOLENT ARTICLE

IN ITALIAN PRESS. SELASSIE ATTACKED. “A RIBALD SADIST.” (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 3, 12.10 p.m. ROME, July 2. “It is a disgrace that Geneva has listened to Haile Selassie’s insults to Italy,” says Signor Virginio Gayda, in a violent article in the Giornale DUtalia, in which he stigmatises Haile Selassie as “a ribald sadist who has abandoned his capital to plunderers with an invitation to destroy, regardless of the white men or their friends.”

Signor Gayda claims that the Italian march on Addis Ababa saved the white inhabitants, though the march was not covered by an Italian defence, as proved by the assault on an Italian column on May 13, which had resulted in many Italian soldiers being killed and wounded. Signor Gayda concludes: After the Emperor’s speech the generosity and haste of the Italian inarch must be regretted. DEMAND BY ITALY. REVISION OF VERDICT. (Times Cables.) LONDON, July 2. The Rome correspondent of the Times says that the Italian memorandum guarantees “fair treatment in Abyssinia for the trade of all countries,” but, according to Signor Gayda, the Italian publicist, this is "to be made dependent on recognition of Italian sovereignty over Abyssinia. He also asserts that, in addition to lifting sanctions, there must be a revision of the League’s aggression verdict before Italy can resume full European collaboration.

Nations are again warned that the turning-point has been reached and that the choice must be made between co-operation with Italy and policies that will drive Italy back upon “defensive but not passive positions.” The choice, lie asserts, rests with each sanctionist Government individually and cannot be circumvented by “fictions of collectivity.” ITALIAN TENURE. NARROW AREAS OCCUPIED. LONDON, July 1. Sir Sidney Barton, British Minister at Addis Ababa, who has returned to London', interviewed by the NewsChronicle, declared that nobody knew the real state of affairs in Abyssinia. “Actually the Italians occupy only two narrow strips of country. They cannot be said to be occupying it. in a true sense at all. The country as a whole has not submitted.” The Manchester Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent says that news reaching London confirms reports that the Italians are having serious difficulties ill Abyssinia. There is, of .course, iio general or organised Abyssinian rally, but bands of Abyssiuians are fiercely resisting the Italians, even if only sporadically. Severe fighting is reported to have occurred in the neighbourhood of Anko'mar, in which a number of Italian officers were killed. Even at Addis Ababa the position of the Italians is not altogether secure and outside the town there is no safety except in strong detachments.