Is He “Off His Head” ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 7

Is He “Off His Head” ?

NOT FAR REMOVED FROM MADNESS TIMES’ STRAIGHT TALK TO Received Monday, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 23. Tlie Times, in a leader, says: ‘ ‘Perhaps it is not unfair to believe that Mussolini is itching to prove that Fascists are fighting men and he -would almost he disappointed with a bloodless triumph. He is a dictator living in an atmosphere of adulation fatal to judgment. None need credit the ridiculous rumour that the Duce is ‘ ‘ off his head, ’ ’ but there is a form of irresponsibility not far removed from madness to which all autocrats are liable wheii they cut themselves off from public opinion. This has been aggravated by the violence of the anti-British campaign in the Italian Press. British battleships do not intend to throw a shell on Naples or Venice. The ships are there to maintain peace, guarantee the security of the Mediterranean routes, and deal promptly and effectively with any incident which might set Europe ablaze.

The Real Issue LEAGUE OF NATIONS POLICY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 22. The Sunday newspapers report yesterday's decision of the Italian Council of Ministers regarding the proposals of the League Council's Committee of. Five, but the disposition is to interpret tho decision as not barring the way to further negotiation for a peaceful settlement. A good deal of attention is devoted to the tendency in the Italian and other foreign Press to misrepresent the attitude of the British Government towards the dispute between Ethiopia and Italy. The diplomatic, correspondent of the Observer says: "The Spanish Press, for instance, has in the past few days been featuring the issue as an ItaloBritish issue." The writer continues: "It is important that the British Government’s policy should not be misunderstood. It is a League of Nations policy in which the cardinal principle is that of collective responsibility. The British Government is not competent, and has no desire or intention, to take any action whatsoever except as a member of the League. The British action, therefore, is entirely dependent upon the League decision equally committing France, Russia,.and all the smaller Powers to like action."

The same point is made by an article in the Sunday Times on the theory of sanctions: " Signor Mussolini evidently speaks and acts as though the issue at Geneva had been between England and Italy. Under .the Covenant there not only is, but can be, no dispute between Italy and this country with this country as an intervening party. We would not act alono under tho Covenant and could not legally do so, even if we would, for the offence which Signor Mussolini threatens is not. against any intervention but against the League. Neither we nor any other member of the League has any legal pow T er to proceed to sanctions except in the execution of the League’s unanimous will, and common prudence dictates that the .will musi ]ie jisßjaflMHJS.--

not only but in deed, and necessary iu a common sacrifice.” Troops to Africa 14,000 AT WEEK-END. DENUNCIATIONS OF I! KIT AIN. LONDON, Sept. 22. The Koine correspondent of the Times says that the British Foreign Office communique has come at a good time. Nevertheless, the newspapers continue to denounce British intentions as an attempt to intimidate Italy and encourage other nations to follow an anti-Italian policy. Italy is still pouring troops into Africa, and 14,000, including a light motorised regiment, left Naples at the week-end. Selassie’s Appeal for Use of Sanctions LOANS AND ARMS TO ETHIOPIA LONDON, Sept, 22. “Italy’s rejection of the League’s final elfort for peace by discussion with the parties lias proved that negotiation in a reasonable atmosphere is ending,” said the Emperor Haile Selassie in a special interview with the Times’ correspondent at Addis Ababa. “War is now only preveutiblc by sanctions, and in order to prevent the disturbance spreading all over the world these should comprise economic isolation of Italy, beginning with financial pressure on the lira, an embargo on imports of primary materials, developing to a total cessation of commerce, accompanied by the .closing of the Suez Canal to Italian transports aud supplies. We also ask the Powers to collaborate with Ethiopia by supplying arms, munitions, aeroplanes and officcr-instruotors.

“ Britain,” said the Emperor, “has emphatically taken the lead in the struggle i'or peace, not for Ethiopia'o sake but for world peace, but she must now realise that the arms embargo, however high its motive may be, has only worked to strengthen Italy's position against Abyssinia. Therefore we are justified in asking for a cessation of the embargo, and also to ask that a loan be negotiated in London, to be guaranteed on the Abyssinian Government's shares in the Jibuti railway and salt and similar monopolies. “I make these proposals in the interests of peace and I am convinced that a loan, in, addition to our untouched secret silver war fund accumulated from the Adowa and other indemnities, will- cause Italy to think again before attacking a Power which is fairly backed by world opinion. “Ethiopia has offered all possible concessions. If war broke out we would retire sufficiently to show any cloy fa. t era that Italy .was the aggressoj,

but thereafter we would defend our independence by force. I also further appeal to t-ho League ■ based ou the Covcnaut. Whether Abyssinia would accept a peace truco while Italy occupied Ethiopian territory is too hypothetical to discuss, but peace granting Italy part of Abyssinia would bo a breach of Articlo 10 of the Covenant, guaranteeing Members’ territorial integrity, which tho League could not entertain.” He added that breakdown of the negotiations would affect the whole continent of Africa. - Financial Crash in Italy TRENCH PROPHECY RUSH TO REDISCOUNT SECURITIES PARIS, Sept. 23. La Via Eiuanciero declares that tne Italian Ambassador has informed the French Government that Italy intends to throw all French securities held byItalians ou tho market unless the Bank of France agrees to rediscount them. Selling has. already beguu, resulting in such sharp reactions that it is understood the Bank of France has rediscounted securities valued at 400,000,000 francs. Influential traders who tilled i'arge Italian orders are urging rediscounting as they are anxious to get payment beforo the expected financial crash in Italy eventuates. War Insurance Bales RMsCd. LONDON, Sept. 23. ■ The Times* City Editor says that war risk insurance rates are being stiffened. Voyages to Australia via Suez arc quoted at (5.3 per cent., and via the Cape of Good Hopo 3.4 per cent. Shipments to tho Mediterranean and Red Sea are quoted at 5 per cent. These rates .apply to early voyages and, are sonsiderably higher, foe re-

motor dates, the market preferring not to quote too far ahead. Abyssinia Will Be Well Equipped Per Press Association. DUNEDIN - , Last Night. “While I am of opinion that war will not eventuate over the Abyssinian dispute, it is interesting to note that in the event of conflict Abyssinia will bo well equipped and will not go into battle as photographs would have us believe, with bows and arrows and spears/' said Mr Sidney Wren, who is on a visit to Dunedin. He said that when he was in tho Balkans eight years ago the arming of Abyssinia was a topic of general' discussion in diplomatic circles. The Balkans, he said, had always been a great market for armaments, and at that time representatives of various armament firms generally stayed together at one hotel, despite the keen competition for the arming of Abyssinia. He was convinced that if hostilities commenced —but he did not think’ they would—-the Abyssinians would be well equipped.