ACUTE CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22161, 15 July 1935, Page 9

ACUTE CRISIS

EAST AFRICA ITALY'S DEMANDS STATEMENT EXPECTED PEACEMAKERS' EFFOETS ABYSSINIANS ARMING By Telesrraph—Prepg Aaßocintion—Copyright (Received July 14. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 14 Despatches from Rome state that the Prime Minister of Italy, Signor Mussolini, is reported to be contemplating making an immediate statement of the terms on which a pacific settlement, may be reached with Abyssinia. It is generally expected that the statement will include a demand for political control of Abyssinia on the grounds that (1) Italian rights have been violated and (2) that Abyssinia has not carried out her obligations as a meniber of the League of Nations. The Observer's diplomatic correspondent forecasts a new effort to avert war between Italy and Abyssinia. He says he believes the French and Italian Ambassadors shortly will confer with the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, following up the Minister's suggestion on Thursday that a solution could ba found through the machinery of the 1906 treaty, combined with the League. On the other hand it is reported from Rome that Signor Mussolini is desirous of negotiating a protectorate over Abyssinia without disturbing the Abyssinian dynasty, which, it is stated, Abyssinia would never accept. Consequently Signor Mussolini, although he would prefer to gain his ends without war, will aim at full sovereignty by conquest. If a peaceful outcome does not eventuate Signor Mussolini plans to open hostilities in October and is prepared to face the consequences. The newspapers emphasise the intensification of Italian efforts to organise expeditionary forces. The Observer's Cairo correspondent says that already 200,000 Italians, including artisans and labourers, are in East Africa, in addition to an unknown number of native levies. , , The Aden correspondent of the Sunday Times dwells upon the numerous difficulties of a campaign in Abyssinia with its intense heat of 122deg. in the shade. Ho says only the strongest men would be able to stand the strain. An explorer who has returned to Aden from Abyssinia reports extensive gun-running to that country from Red Sea ports. He says the Abyssinians will pay any price for arms and ammunition. AMERICAN ATTITUDE BRIAND-KELLOGG PACT REMINDER OF PROVISIONS (Received July 14, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. July 13 Following upon a conversation with the Italian Ambassador, Signor Rosso, yesterday, the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, to-day reaffirmed America's support of the Briand-Kellogg Pact in such a way as left no doubt in regard to the pact being the corner-stone of the Government's foreign policy. Mr. Hull's statement, although it was not addressed to Signor Mussolini, is considered to be tantamount to calling Italy's attention to the provisions of the pact in view of the crisis in Abyssinia. " The pact is no less binding now that jt was when it was entered into by the 63 nations which are parties to it," said Mr. Hull. As the Minister is to leave Washington on & fortnight's holiday to-morrow it is assumed that the Government will go no further than stating its declaration of principles and will not formally invoke the pact or otherwise intervene in the Italo-Abyssinian situation. . „ ITALIAN COMPLAINTS ACTS OF ABYSSINIANS ROME, July 12 Abyssinian soldiers halted for two days Signora di Lauro, wife of Italian Consul at Gondar, who was travelling by caravan to Eritrea, although her passports were in order. This necessitated her husband's intervention. The Abyssinian authorities arrested 25 persons who sold food to the Italian Consul at Adowa, and dismissed a clerk for speaking to the Consul. They also caused to be arrested some of the employees of the Italian delegation at Addis Ababa. The Italian Government has issued a communique complaining that Abyssinians had beaten one or two cow herds who had inadvertently crossed the border, and had confiscated 10 of their oxen.

BRITISH POLICY

SIR S. HOARE'S SPEECH LONDON. July 12 Herr Hitler was supplied with a careful translation of Sir Samuel Hoare's speech on Britain's foreign policy. Until he studies it in consultation with his advisers official circles are reluctant to comment. '< ' The Paris press considers that the speech „demonstrates that the Stresa front is unbroken, and warns Germany not to presume too much on the naval agreement/ 55^ In Home the general impression of the speech is that it is favourable to Italy. The Vienna press unanimously welcomes Sir Samuel's appeal to Herr Hitler to negotiate pacts. The Manchester Guardian, in commenting on the speech, says there was n °t a sihgle definite statement as to ff hat the Government intends to do about Abyssinia. A commission, of the league of Nations should inquire into the whole business and prove to Italy that, she cannot buy land for expanding her population at the price of all that the world gained in knowledge and exJfcrience in. .the Great SKwr*