ABYSSINIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 June 1936, Page 5

ABYSSINIA

AREA IN ITALIAN OCCUPATION STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY PRINCIPAL CITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS (British Official Wireless) (Received 23rd June, 11.3 5a.m.) RUGBY, 22nd June. Questioned in the House of Commons regarding the present situation in Abyssinia, Mr Anthony Eden said he had no news of recent Italian military movements, but according to the estimate of about three weeks ago, the area in Italian military occupation was less than half of that country, but represents the most important part of Abyssinia, including two principal cities, Addis Ababa and Harar, and with one exception, all the recognised channels of communication with the outside world. With regard to the other area he could only speak of Western Abyssinia, which included the one remaining channel of communication.

According to recent reports from the Acting-Governor-General at Khartoum and the Consol at Gore, the country was in the hands of a population who were hostile to the Emperor’s Government, and such Amharic officials as remained were not, he understood, in a position to exercise authority. He could not estimate the strength of the armed Abyssinian forces. His Majesty’s Government could not allow arms to go from the Sudan to Western Abyssinia so long as there was no probability that they would be received by any constituted authority, or serve any purpose other than promoting civil war. He had informed the Ethiopian Mimster in London to this effect.

In reply to a further questibit* whether in the event of there Government in Western Abyssinia responsible to the Emperor there would be any objection to arms going in, Mr Eden said that would create an entirely different situation. ITALY’S ANNEXATION NOT TO BE RECOGNISED Replying to a still further question Mr Eden said His Majesty’s Government had no intention at the forthcoming meetings of the League of proposing or assenting to the recognition of Italy’s annexation of Abyssinia. ( GRANTING OF LOANS TO ITALY GOVERNMENT HAS NO POWER The Chancellor of the Exchequer was asked for an assurance that in the event of the removal of sanctions against Italy it was not the intention of the Government to supply Italy with loans or credits which might be used to complete her subjugation of Abyssinia, and to prepare for further acts of aggression. The Financial Secretary replied that the Government would have no power to grant loans or credits to Italy, neither have they any iiitehtion of seeking such power. ITALIAN BREACH OF TREATY OF PARIS j BRITAIN WILL NOT CONSULT OTHER POWERS COMMUNICATIONS WITH SUDAN MAY BE MAINTAINED (Received 23rd June, 11.25 -a.m.) LONDON, 22nd June. Mr Anthony Eden in the House of Commons, speaking on Abyssinia,said he did not intend to consult the United States and other goveTtiments with a view to action dealing with the Italian breach of the Treaty of Paris, as the time for such action was at the! beginning of the Itaio-Abyssinian war, but he preferred action through, the League. Mr Eden said the Government had decided, if Emperor Haile Selassie reorganised his forces from a base in Western Abyssinia, that existing communications with the Sudan would be maintained.