The Northern Advocate Daily SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1935. PEACE RUMOURS

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1935, Page 8

The Northern Advocate Daily

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1935. PEACE RUMOURS

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

Following close on the heels of a report, printed yesterday, that Italy is planning a great offensive against Abyssinia on October 28, the anniversary of the Fascist “March on Rome,” come a series of interesting reports of a different character, as contained pi today’s news. It is said very definitely, although no official confirmation is available, that Italy has made advances in the direction of seeking a settlement, and that this is the real reason for the halt in hostilities which been causing much comment. Whether it be true that Mussolini is once again about to adopt dramatic tactics, such as a general offensive on the anniversary of the March on Rome would represent, or whether he is marking time in the hope that a peaceable solution of the problem with which he is confronted may be facilitated, time will reveal. It is probable that, in the face of the pressure which sanctions would exert upon Italy, apart altogether from the discovery that the conquest of Abyssinia would be crushing!y costly, even if it were practicable, he has been forced to wonder whether he has not taken a bigger bite than he can chew. It would obviously be foolish to dwell upon this aspect of the ease, but it is one which will not escape notice. It is quite evident, nevertheless, that Italy would not be averse to a settlement which, however short of her original plans it might be, would allow her to recede from a position she should never have taken up. It is reported that Signor Gfayda, who usually speaks for Mussolini, has published in the “Giornale d’ltalia” the main terms upon which Italy would be prepared to make peace. Those are the disarmament of Abyssinia and the placing of Abyssinia proper under international control; the Italian occupation of Tigre; and the granting to Abyssinia of a port in Eritrea. Whether these are Italy’s bedrock terms it is difficult to say, but it may be taken for granted that the League would require their reduction. It is rather significant that correspondents say negotiations which are in train are of a nature to cause optimism, and that there is every reason to believe that Mussolini has relinquished his ambition for a mandate over the whole of Abyssinia. So far as the provision of a port to Abyssinia is concerned, a correspondent mentions Zeila, in British

Somaliland, the offer of which raised strong protest originally, whereas Signor Gayda mentions Assab, which was the. first East African port obtained by Italy, who purchased it as a coaling station in 1869. It may bo regarded as significant, in of the rumours that Italy is trying, f'o facilitate peace negotiations, that she is unconditionally removing a division of troops from. Libya, in the hope that her action may inspire Britain to decrease her naval tonnage in the Mediterranean. Further weight to the belief that peace negotiations of some description are under consideration is given by a report that the Sanctions Committee of the League of Nations, which is to meet "on the 31st inst. for the .purpose of giving effect to the application of sanctions, may not meet until November 4 15, m order to enable the negotiations to proceed. The latest reports are certainly of a most important nature, if true, and afford ground for hope that the League ,of Nations may yet prove that it is an instrument, for the promotion of world peace and the of those who, failing to honour their bond, would disturb that peace. '