PRELIMINARY TALKS

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1935, Page 7

PRELIMINARY TALKS

AFRICAN DISPUTE THREE-POWER PARLEY BRITAIN’S GRAVE VIEWS. MR. EDEN’S OUTLINE [British Official Wireless .] (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 14. The preliminary talks on the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia began in Paris today between M. Laval, who was accompanied by the political director of the Quai d’Orsay, M. Bargeton, and Mr Anthony Eden and Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs. It is understood Mr Eden not only outlined in some details the views of the British Government upon the features of the actual dispute, but laid emphasis upon the wider issues in Europe, and elsewhere, liable to arise in the event of an outbreak of hostilities in Africa. Situation Serious. He referred also to the practical unanimity displayed by the British public opinion in regard to questions at stake. • The discussion which followed, revealed the community of outlook of the French andi British Governments as to the extreme seriousness of the situation, and a mutual recognition that the meeting between the three Powers, about to begin, offers the last chance of producing a basis of settlement acceptable to both Italy and Abyssinia, without the whole procedure of the League and its obligations being raised. Tomorrow Baron Aloisi will reach Paris. He will . have an interview with the French Prime Minister, and it is expected formal talks between the. French, British and! Italian delegates will begin on Friday, as arranged. This evening, Mr Eden had a conversation with the Greek Minister in Paris, Mr Politis, who is the fifth member appointed to the Conciliation Commission, which is taking up again the examination of last November’s incidents at Ualual. ARMS EMBARGO. (Received 12.30 p.m.) GENEVA, August 14. An Abyssinian Note protests against the arms embargo imposed by (several nations, and says that Italy is ceaselessly manufacturing arms and munitions, with the solemn intention of using them against Ethiopia. There is no manufacture of munitions in Ethiopia, and its Government finds it impossible to obtain a means of defence. Wherever it attempts to obtain munitions, it meets with pro- , hibitions and export embargoes. “Is that real neutrality?” the Note asks, and inquires if the League Council will allow preparations to continue unchecked for the massacre of a people who menace no one.