Anglo-Italian Situation Much Easier

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 248, 21 October 1935, Page 7

Anglo-Italian Situation Much Easier

France Will. Support

Britain

Definite Assurance Given

Italian Military Successes Severely Discounted

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.

Received Sunday, 9 p.m.

LONDON, Oct. 19. The international situation is believed to have taken a more favourable turn after days of activity in Home and Paris.

Signor Mussolini had a lengthy conference with bir Erie Drummond, the British Ambassador, this morning, and received the Comte de Ckambrun, the Drench Ambassador tiiis afteinoon.

Sir Brie Drummond assured Mussolini that Britain would coniine her action regarding Abyssinia to the demands of her obligations as a League member.

A Rome message states that Sir Eric Drummond's statement was received with the greatest pleasure and France’s “friendly understanding and co-operation” were highly appreciated.

It is understood Sir Eric Drummond informed Mussolini that while the fears of Britain acting against Italy are groundless there is no question of bargaining. The withdrawal of Italian troops in Libya would be regarded as a satisfactory gesture showing that the Italian misunderstandings of British intentions had been dispelled. It would be impossible, however, to alter the disposition of the British forces until there was a satisfactory manifestation that Anglo-Italian tension had been reduced.

The British United Press Rome correspondent says a joint Anglo-Italian communique is being issued to-morrow in which Britain affirms that she never raised the question of military sanctions and does not intend to take measures going beyond the League’s collective action which Italian circles understand refers to a blockade without League co-operation.

The Italian part of the communique expresses gratification

A further Rome message says Mussolini’s conversation with Sir Eric Drummond was cordial, resulting in the situation being described as much brighter, while anti-British feeling has been soothed.

M. Laval’s conference with the British Ambassador resulted in the French reply regarding the British lieet in the Mediterranean being transmitted to London this evening two days before it was anticipated, as it Avas thought M. Laval would insist on Cabinet’s approval.

The Embassy communique says M. Laval has given the British Ambassador the fullest answer to the various points raised in the recent discussions which cannot be disclosed until Sir Samuel Hoard has studied them, but it is understood M. Laval’s expressed opinion was a plain affirmative.

The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says authoritative circles declare that M. Laval’s reply dissipates all FrancoBritish misunderstanding, M. Laval giving an unequivocal undertaking to carry out his obligations.

The Daily Telegraph’s Paris '■'respondent says M. Laval’s reply pledges France’s co-operation in all collective measures under the Covenant.

The Times’ Paris correspondent says various factors contributed to M. Laval’s unexpectedly early reply, notably the serious alarm among his own colleagues at the continued delay, also the growing British impatience at his apparent hesitation.

A Paris message says the text of the French reply to Britain is not being published. It is considered the upshot of the English, French and Italian conversations has been a guarantee that the war will not spread, but they do not bring the Abyssinian hostilities nearer to a conclusion.

The semi-ofiicial Temps now anticipates the immediate •withdrawal of Italian reinforcements from Libya consequent on the reduction of British naval strength in the Mediterranean now that French support is assured.

The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent states it is understood on instructions from London the British Ambassador told M. Laval that Britain would withdraw two battleships from the Mediterranean if France would send two of hers there.

It is also reported that on M. Laval’s initiative Mussolini has been asked to state his minimum proposals for an ItaloAbyssinian settlement.

The Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent says M. Laval’s affirmative to Britain should end the Anglo-Italian tension. It is long since the situation between two great Powers has been so serious. Egypt and Britain must insist on the termination of anti-British agitation and the withdrawal of at least part of the Italian forces on the Egyptian frontier, though there can be no question of withdrawing the licet in return for such action. The licet is not in the Mediterranean to counteract Italian moves in Libya, but in order to defend British communications, harbours and naval bases.

An Italian diplomat told a British United Press Agency representative that Italy will not permit warlike action against Britain.in the Mediterranean and was also prepared to guarantee British rights to colonies in Africa. Moreover, Italy does not seek to menace Egypt and has even withdrawn men and war materials from the Egyptian frontier. She is also prepared to guarantee that she has no Intention of forming a native armv in Abyssinia to be used as a menace to British possessions. Even if Article 16 of the Covenant is applied Italy will keep her head if Britain does the same and nothing untoward will happen.

League Guilty of Grave Negligence

British Boycott Proposals Approved

NO MACHINERY TOR APPLYING SANCTIONS Received Sunday, 9.50 n ru LONDON. Oct 20. The Daily Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent says each day that passes shows more clearly that the League has been guilty of grave negligence in faHing throughout past years to consider how economic sanctions can practically be applied. The procedure adopted on October IS ensures that no actual measures for economic pressure can be applied to Italy before the end of the month if then. Moreover many States will be outside tho “practical sanctioning ring.” Several are already hastening to assure Italy that their participation will be nominal.

■ GENEVA, October IS. The sub-committce referred the Bri

tisli proposal of the boycott of Italian

goods to the Committee of Eighteen. The sub-committee has approved of t-ho I'.-nch proposal for an embargo on key products to Italy, which the drafting committee is putting into final form for the Committee of Eighteen’s consideration.

Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 20.

The Committee of Eighteen have approved Mr. Eden’s proposals for tho boycott of Italian exports. Tho Coordinating Committee will meet on tho 31st instead of the 29th until which

date tho Committee of Eighteen will remain in session.