Will Italy Attend ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 176, 29 July 1935, Page 7

Will Italy Attend ?

Fateful League Meeting Wednesday

MAY BE FRUITLESS United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, lO.'F' p.m. DJIBOUTI. July 2S. Emperor Selassie, iu a statement, declared that Abyssinia from the beginning has striven for a peaceful, complete and impartial settlement. Italy admits the principle of arbitration but renders its application doubly impossible by denying the arbitrators’ right to interpret the Treaty of .1908 regarding frontiers, openly preparing for war and occupying Ethiopian territory. It is tho League Council’s duty to uphold tho Covenant, maintain treaties of peace and also say whether a member of the League has a right to attack a follow member’s territory and menace its sovereignty and independence, also whether a member may resort to arms for political expansion and conquest. “Wo confidently await the decision,’’ added the Emperor. ROME, July 27.

Italy has notified the League that her attendance depends on whether Abyssinia replies favourably to the Italian request to continue the work of the Conciliation Commission. The Italian reply assumes that the Council’s only object will be to study methods to enable tho commission to resumo the work, which is interpreted to mean that Italy will not attend if other matters are introduced. It is understood Italy will not, attend the Council meeting if Abyssinia does not reply to her Noto of July 24. If Abyssinia replies, whether favourably or unfavourably, Italy will attend, although it' Abyssinia insists on reopening the frontier questions Italy will ask the Council to noto that tho negotiations are ended and there is no further need for discussion.

The League Council meeting has been fixed for Wednesday.

Australia Has Views and Will Express Them Received Sunday, 9.00 p.m. LONDON, July 27. “Australia has strong League views and will know how to express them,’’ said Mr. R. G. Meuzies, Australian Attorney-General, when entraining to join the Empress of Britain for Quebec in referring to the South Australian League of Nations Union’s complaint that tho Federal Government had pronounced no policy regarding the ItaloEthiopian dispute. Mr. Menzies during the past two days has b.ecn in close touch with lhc Foreign Office in this connection. While in Washington he hopes to have a general discussion on foreign affairs with President Roosevelt and also on the question of closer exchanges of views between the United States and Australia. America Will Keep Out IT ITALY GOES TO WAR Received Sunday, 10.39 p.m. WASHINGTON, July 27. President Roosevelt, in a Press interview, again defined his policy regarding lhc Italo-Ethiopian crisis. He said it was based on two points: Firstly, his “good neighbour” policy designed to maintain friendly relations with all nations; secondly, the efforts of diplomatic agencies to keep the United Stales from becoming involved iu specific cases not directly concerning tho United States.

Ho added that possible hostilities in Africa concerned the United States to the extent that they endangered world peace for which the United States’ support of the Kellogg-Briand pact was reiterated but he indicated that no actual diplomatic advance would be made if the controversy led to war.

France’s Optimism AIMING AT ROUND-TABLE CONFERENCE LONDON, July 2(1. The " Sun-llerald’> says that the French are hopeful of getting the Italians and. Abyssinia ns to meet at a round-table conference, not necessarily at the League meeting, in an attempt to secure a friendly settlement of the dispute, enabling the Italians to tell the Abyssiuians precisely what they want, leaving the League ultimately to ratify the agreement. Tho British do not share France’s optimism, believing that all aspects of th j problem must be discussed at the League meeting on August Ist, Difficulties of Italian Mountain Campaign NO WATER IN GADEN DESERT PARIS, July 26. Emperor Silassio interviewed by the Paris Soir’s Addis Ababba correspondent, emphasised the difficulties of an Italian mountain campaign, in as much as there is no water in the Gaden desert and troops would be bisected by Franco-British Somaliland.

Tho fidelity of native troops filling gaps in Italian ranks, caused through sickness, would be doubtfull when attacking men of their own race. The Abyisinian army in the event of war would- consist of seven Corps operating in liaison, each with a definite objective.

Dominions’ Views Not Expressed LONDON, July 26. The Dominions liavo been, fully in■fflXfflfii &£ 4gg§J<

opments through tho customary channels, and High Commissioners have also seen Mr Eden, but it is understood no views have thus far been expressed by the Dominions. It is anticipated at Whitehall that Australia, New Zealand and Canada will support tho British attitude at the League Council, but South Africa's policy may not coineido in view of the increasing importance of her exports to Italy, also laek of sympathy with coloured races.