Italy Will Not Turn Back

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 230, 30 September 1935, Page 7

Italy Will Not Turn Back

Accelerating Transport of Troops Bid For Britain’s Friendship United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. . Received Sunday, 10.30 p.m. PARIS, Sept. 28. “I have reflected well. I have weighed everything,” declared Mussolini when interviewed by the Petit Journal’s Rome correspondent. ' “Two hundred thousand of our sons,” he added, ‘‘have -sought honour by going to East Africa to serve, and if necessary, to die. Who would bring them back before they have obtained the fruits of their heroism and sacrifice?” - ROME, Sept. 28. Mussolini presided at the Council of Ministers. A communicate states: “It has been decided that Italy is not going to leave the League until the League assumes full responsibility for measures against Italy.” The communique adds: ‘‘The Italian policy has no immediate or remote aims likely to injure British interests. On the contrary Italy is ready to negotiate an agreement harmonising with her legitimate interests in East Africa and will avoid action extending the Abyssinian conflict to Europe. ‘‘However, Italy cannot take seriously the Emperor’s withdrawal of troops from the frontier which has a strategic not a pacific object, and masks preparations in the interior fortifying the Ethiopian troops in stronger positions. Consequently the sailings of Italian divisions will be accelerated. The communique stresses the nation’s calmness and support for the Fascist regime which will shortly show tlic world a thorough civil mobilisation unprecedented in history. Italy is not taking the initiative at Geneva where her rights have been disregarded from the outset.” The communique is interpreted as an appeal to Britain to reconsider her attitude towards Italy’s •‘rightful” claim. Commentators emphasise its friendliness to Britain, also the unusual procedure of pointing out to the ‘‘British people, despite the efforts of anti-Fascists to mislead them,” Italy’s readiness to negotiate with British interests in East Africa. Nevertheless, the newspapers have resumed their attacks on Britain. France’s Last Hopes Shattered EFFECT OF MUSSOLINI’S COMMUNIQUE Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. PARIS, Sept. 29. The Italian communique has shattered any remaining hopes that Mussolini might at the eleventh hour offer to negotiate under the auspices of the League. Even the most optimistic did not believe Britain will enter into direct negotiations. France’s next step will be decided by Cabinet next week when it is believed M. Laval will accede to Mr. Anthony Eden’s request to speed up the procedure leading to the early reassembling of the Council. Abyssinians Not Afraid of Air Raids CAN HOLD ITALIANS BY GUERILLA OPERATIONS Received Sunday, 9.40 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 28. Sir Pcrcival Phillips, the Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent, reports that the Emperor will refrain from general mobilisation until absolutely certain that danger to his frontiers can no longer be averted. He is waiting further advices from European observers, and only when they assure him that the last word has been said will he call on every Abyssinian capable of bearing arms to rally to the defence of his country. He believes that even if the entire weight of the Italian forces now assembled in East Africa is thrown against him he would be able by skilfully carried out guerilla operations to prevent a decisive result for the first three months. After that Italy is expected to collapse economically and financially under the weight of sanctions which, it is assumed, will by then be applied. “Air raids on Abyssinia won’t win the wav for Italy,” added the Emperor. “Abyssinia is the only country in the world with a movable capital. The present one has no historic significance and can be readily changed without impairing the natives’ morale. The principal sufferers in such raids would be the European community which carries on the bulk of the trade and commerce.” GENEVA, Sept. 29. The League Council has telegi'aphcd Emperor Selassie appreciating his decision to withdraw his troops 20 miles from the frontier in order to avoid the possibility of untoward incidents.

Labour and Sanctions LIVELY DEVELOPMENTS ANTICIPATED Eeceived Sunday, 9.50 p.mLONDON, Sept 29. The British Labour party executive has arranged at the annual conference to debate Labour's approval of the enforcement of sanctions. The debate will begin on October 1 and two days are set aside for it. Lively developments are anticipated if sanctions are approved. Mr. George Lansbury, the leader, is expected to offer his resignation. Greece Prepares Deceived Sunday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 29. The Times' Athens - correspondent says the Council of National and Economic Defence has decided in ciise international affairs take a more serious turn to complete Greece’s war supplies and ensure the adequacy of her raw matorials. “ If Necessary Go Back to Flood J ’ PREPARING HISTORICAL DATA. Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. GENEVA, Sept. 2S. The Committee of Thirteen have instructed the League Secretariat to prepare the historical section of the report on the origin of the Abyssinian dispute and “if - necessary go back to the Blood," said Mr, Anthony Eden, It is

expected the report will bo complete by October 3, when the Committee will consider the recommendations. After a short public session the Leanue Council adiourrui^