SLENDER PLAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 January 1936, Page 5

SLENDER PLAN

FRANCE WITH BRITAIN LIMIT TO CO-OPERATION OIL SANCTIONS BEFORE CABINET (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 15th January, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, 14th January. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says that Cabinet is discussing oil sanctions in readiness for the League meeting on 20th January. It is understood that Mr Eden will press Cabinet for approval of a policy on the lines of the election declarations. Meanwhile the amount of probable French assistance proves that Germany need not fear the result of the discussions between England and France, which led to only the slenderest working arrangement by which naval eo-operation will only give Britain the right to use French naval bases, docks and the workshops, which alone might produce labour troubles. Moreover, the French fleet would not automatically be engaged, as Parliamentary approval is essential for general mobilisation. Similarly the army would he limited to action within France and aerial co-operation would be limited to signalling services being placed at British disposal to enable Britain to he informed at the earliest moment of hostile ’planes passing over France apparently destined for England. The knowledge that Britain has not been accorded greater support has produced the view that League members must strengthen themselves to ensure collective security.

MASKED MANOEUVRES A WATCH ON THE RHINE WORTH TWO ON THE ALPS LAVAL’S TRICK (Received 15th January, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON. 14th January. The “Daily Herald’s” Paris correspondent says that M. Laval’s whispering campaign in favour of leaving Italy “to be defeated by the Abyssinians and rain,” is being followed up by a shouting campaign to the effect that a watch on the Rhine is worth two on the Alps, trying to create a suitable atmosphere for new Italo-Abyssinian conciliation proposals. M. Laval is using a favourite French political trick of creating a diversion to mask this manoeuvres. Newspapers under M. Laval’s influence are fully exploiting the theme of German rearmament and possible re-occupation of the Rhineland.

MUSSOLINI’S REQUEST The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says it is understood that Signor Cerutti, Italian Ambassador, has conveyed to M. Laval Signor Mussolini’s request for M. Laval’s support for the appointment of a League committee of investigation to proceed to Abyssinia. Apparently Signor Mussolini hopes that the committee’s report on conditions on the spot might lead to a basis of settlement acceptable to Italy. Responsible French opinion, however, does not favour the proposal. Anti-Italian feeling is steadily hardening, while M. Laval himself is disinclined to take further initiative without real hope of success. It is pointed out that Signor Mussolini’s project would arouse more enthusiasm. if it was accompanied hv an intimation of readiness to suspend hostilities. Principal interest in the proposal lies in the indication that, whatever Signor Mussolini may be saying at home, he is no’w speaking a very different language abroad. It is also held to show that Signor Mussolini’s preference for forcible methods has been diminished by their hitherto unfruitful and unpleasant consequences. A Paris message published on Monday stated that the suggestion of the likelihood of a fresh attempt to secure peace was being widely discussed theic. Two sources, one of which was “Le Journal,” hinted that the initiative might come in an Italian request to Die League to send a committee of neutrals to Abyssinia ostensibly to investigate the conduct of the war but actually to explore avenues of peace. Such a committee might censure Italy s aggression while affirming the necessity for"social and economic reform in Abyssinia as a palliative to Italian dignity. Other quarters, however, asked whether the Emperor would accept Italian cooperation or he accommodating in the light of the military .position.

INSOLENT MANIFESTO EXPECTED BY FRENCH CABINET THE GERMAN SITUATION (Received lath January, 10.46 a.m.) PARIS, 14th January. The French press is sceptical of the possibility of a rapid solution of the Italo-Abyssinian conflict. Official circles do not attach great importance to M. Laval’s conversations with Signor Cerutti, the Italian Ainbassadoi. who is reported to have declared that Italy will not attack Britain and will not leave the League even if sanctions are voted. . France is more preoccupied in the German situation in view of recent Nazi attacks on Locarno. Mme. Tabouis writing in “I’Oeuvre declares that news from the demilitarised zone in the Rhineland is very grave. Cabinet realises that it may shortly be faced with an insolent manifesto concerning this zone from G?rmany. Britain has already intimated that if Germany, insists in repudiating the demilitarisation clauses of the treaty she will not be prepared to do anything. “Le Petit Parisien” warns Germany of the serious repercussions that the breaking of the treaty may involve.

BOMBING OF AMBULANCE VIGOROUS NOTE OF PROTEST BY SWEDISH GOVERNMENT (Received 15th Januarv, 12.40 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, 14th January. The Government has transmitted to

Rome a vigorous Note of protest in connection with the bombing of the ambulance at Dolo, urging a speedy investigation anc! the punishment of culprits, reserving the right to claim compensation. ALLEGATION AGAINST RED CROSS (Received 15th January, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, 14th January. ‘‘The Times” Rome correspondent says that an Asmara message has been received stating that during an Italian bombardment (unspecified place or time) all the men belonging to the Abyssinian Red Cross participated in firing upon the attacking aircraft. ADDIS ABABA"wARNING A RAID EXPECTED LONDON, 13th January. The ‘‘Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says that a proclamation was read to church congregations issuing a warning that the Italians would probably bomb Addis Ababa between 20th January and 22nd January, which are the days of the Abyssinian Epiphany celebrations, bringing tens of thousands to the capital. Inhabitants have been ordered to construct shelters, and those not obeying within a week will be fined.

NARROW ESCAPE FOR MUSSOLINI’S SON DURING AIR RAID (Received 15th January. .10.5 a.m.) ASMARA, 14th January. Vittorio Mussolini narrowly escaped when his ’plane was hit by an antiaircraft shell during a bombing raid on Aruba Aradam. The cabin door was smashed. Mussolini managed to land the machine unhurt. A message from Addis Ababa states that Ras Nasibu sent a letter to General Graziani denying that prisoners were decapitated and stating that all were honourably treated.

ACCUSATIONS REPEATED AGAINST ITALIANS LONDON, 14th January. “The Times” Addis Ababa correspondent says that the Abyssinians aie repeating previous accusations of incendiarism and the employment of gas bombs by the Italians, and assert that the latter fired Sakota after evacuation on 10th January, destroyed the church Saint Mary, killing or injuring ten members of the congregation, blinding ten and burning eight citizens as a result of dropping three bombs believed to contain mustard gas.

LEAGUE’S FINANCES BEST SINCE ESTABLISHED LARGE CREDIT BALANCE (Received 15th January, 10.25 a.m.) GENEVA, 14th January. The League’s finances are the best since it was established. In addition to budget surplus, economies and underspending brought the credit balance to nine million gold francs, of which 1,205,000 will be transferred to reserve, the balance being returned to member States' by means of a reduction in the 1935 contributions.

FANTASTIC REPORT NO BELGIAN INTERVENTION , AN OFFICIAL DENIAL (British Official Wireless; (Received 15th January, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 14th January. A report which gained currency yesterday that the Belgian royal family and the Belgian Government had intervened in an effort to eflcct a settlement of the Abyssinian war, is described as fantastic in an official denial issued in Brussels. The denial recalls the League Council decision of 19th December declaring that .the work of drawing up any proposals for a settlement of the dispute is a matter for the Committee of Thirteen, on which in fact Belgium is not represented. It is added that Belgium will continue the line of conduct defined in public declarations made on her behalf.

EMPEROR’S REFORMS SUPPRESSION OF SLAVERY THE WAY CLEARED (Received 15th January, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, 14th January. “The Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says that Selassie, taking advantage of war conditions, has instituted far-reaching administrative reforms, including the suppression of slavery, dealers being arrested and exhibited in chains after conviction, and the victims liberated. Maji Province, which was hitherto a- black spot in this respect, is now a model district. The departure for the front of slave-owning chiefs and soldiers is clearing the way for reforms under the young Governor Zawde Ayelu, whose British adviser, Colonel D. A. Sandford, was appointed in September.

NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DAVIS CUP ITALY AND SANCTIONS (Received 15th January, 10.25 a.m.) ROME, 14th January. The Italian Lawn Tennis Association has decided not to participate in the Davis Cup, and has requested clubs not to invite individual players from sanctionist countries to visit Italy.

ROMANTIC ASPECT

OF VENETIAN CANALS REVIVED "BY - !ECONOMY (Received 15th amiary, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON,. 14th amiary. “The Times” Milan correspondent says that sanctions at least have revived the romantic aspect of, the Venetian canals, mayors and prefects replacing motor launches with the timehonoured two-oared gondolas in order to economise. Oil and steam launch services are also reduced and gondolas are reappearing everywhere.