ANNEXATION OF ABYSSINIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 7

ANNEXATION OF ABYSSINIA

QUESTION OF BRITISH RECOGNITION POSITION DEFINED BY MR EDEN (British Official Wireless) (Received 17th December, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 16th December. In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, said it was not the intention of His Majesty’s Government to accord de jure recognition of the annexation of Abyssinia. In reply to another member who sought an assurance that the British Government’s attitude regarding Abyssinia would be in conformity with the principle of Non-recognition of the changes brought about in disregard of the League Covenant, Mr Eden said His Majesty’s Government would adhere to the principle enunciated in the declaration which was made in connection with the particular .case of the Sino-Japanese dispute, its application to any case'His-Majesty’s Government must be entitled to take account of the facts of the situation and of the necessity, where the protection of British interests was involved, of dealing with the actual authorities on the spot. Any such action on their part does not imply approval of the methods by which the situation was brought about.