WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Northern Advocate, 8 June 1936, Page 5

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

MUSSOLINI AND HAILE SELASSIE t United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright ,] (Received 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 5. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” claims that, in a special interview with Haile Selassie, he was able to tell the Etnperor thaton the day before his flight Signor Mussolini ordered the presentation ( of an ultimatum, under which the Emperor would have maintained his throne and sovereignty over the central Amharic provinces, subject to an Italian protectorate w)ith control of foreign relations. The Emperor replied: “If Signor Mussolini wished to communicate with me I wasn’t far away. I am now even mpre accessible. I have in no way renounced my rights of sovereignty.” -i The Emperor is prepared to go to Lausanne next week to prepare for the League Council’s consideration.. of the question.

Ceremony at Cenotaph. The Emperor of Ethiopia drove to the Cenotaph, on which he placed a wreath. He was accompanied by the Crown Prince, Ras Kassa, former army commander, and the Abyssinian Minister. A large crowd at Whitehall watched the ceremony. During the afternoon, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, paid a courtesy call on the Emperor at the house in Kensington where he is staying. Mr Eden remained about half an hour. Newspapers suggest that the Ehiperor may shortly proceed to Switzerland, where he owns a residence. Mr Eden has an engagement in his constituency tomorrow which will prevent his attending a reception to be given to the Abyssinian Minister, Dr. Ajaz Martin, to meet Haile Selassie, Viscount Cranborne, Foreign Under-Secretary, however, will attend.

Among those who have accepted invitations, other than members of the diplomatic corps, is Mr Lloyd George, “Viva II Duce!” Advices from Addis Ababa state that the Abyssinians are readily surrendering weapons, and the period of grace has been extended for a month.

General Graziani visited a new native school, and 400 pupils greeted him with a Fascist song and cries of “Viva II Duce!” Italian authorities, in fixing wages arid labour conditions, announce that if necessary, private undertakings would be placed under Government control.

Haile Selassie will not attend the meeting of the League Assembly. His secretary said he would, go to Switzerland shortly, but would not visit Geneva, as he wanted the League to give its verdict “free from all sentiment and personal influence.”