PRAISE FOR MR. EDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 9

PRAISE FOR MR. EDEN

EASING THE TENSION GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT IL DUCE'S CHANGED MIND REWARD OF PERSISTENCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 26, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 26 The English newspapers pay enthusiastic tributes to the Lord Privy Seal, Mr. Anthony Eden, who is described as " the terrible young man who wants peace so badly." They declare he scored his greatest success when he persuaded the " iron-fisted " Prime Minister of Italj T , Signor Mussolini, to change hfs mind after a tense, long-range duel.

When the text of the League of Nations' resolution was originally sent to Signor Mussolini it was telegraphed back from Rome a disfigured mass of mutilations. Mr. Eden and the French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, sent the resolution back in its original form, only to have it returned with fewer mutilations.

II Duce then desired to eliminate League intervention in the event of an Italo-Abyssinian treaty breaking down. Mr. Eden realised that the League might founder on that and reasserted himself, countering Baron Aloisi's attempt to turn the words: " The League would meet," into: " The League may meet."

On that point Mr. Eden and M. Laval fought for 35 minutes. Eventually they won, with the result that the resolution, for the third time, was despatched to U Duce, who accepted it. The Lteague Council's meeting closed with a shower of bouquets for Mr. Eden. Baron Aloisi praised him for his broadminded comprehension and expressed appreciation of his achievements.