WAR SPIRIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22172, 27 July 1935, Page 13

WAR SPIRIT

t ROME FASCISTS ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE f&NGER .WITH BRITAIN JAPAN a ALSO ASSAILED (UGLY DEMONSTRATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 26, 7.45 p.m.) ROME, July 25 'A Fascist axe rending a Union Jack was among the designs on banners carried at a monster meeting of 100,000 people in Rome to-day. Tremendous applause greeted denunciations of Britain and Japan and there were hisses whenever the two countries were mentioned. Phrases displayed "on other banners included the following: "We do not care a curse for Geneva, England or Japan." " To whom does Abyssinia belong? To us." " Nothing will stop us." -Still other banners bore caricatures of tho Emperor of Abyssinia, generally alone, but sometimes with English or Japaneso friends. The greatest applause was reserved for s dummy figure of the Emperor hanging by his trousers to a Roman fasces [(an axe tied up with a bundle of rods). In a fiery speech, Signor Orazzi, chief of the Rome Fascist organisation, proclaimed Italy's intention of pursuing her policy in spite of all opposition. Extra guards have been placed at the Japanese Embassy. ETHIOPIA'S ARMS HOPELESSLY INADEQUATE CORRESPONDENT'S IMPRESSION (.Received July 27, 1.25 a.m.) Times Cable ' LONDON, July 26 The Bpecial correspondent of the Times at Addis Ababa says the Ethiopians' arms and munitions are hopelessly inadequate for a campaign of moderate length and incapable of achieving a quick, victorious campaign. At the most they cannot at present possess more than 30,000 modern rifles and automatic rifles and 15,000,000 modern cartridges. The Ethiopians are mainly armed with antiquated Gras rifles, of the period after the Franco-Prussian "War, with lead bullets. Nevertheless, a feeling of self-confidence exists which is not likely to„lead to a repetition of the Ualual error of infantry trying to rout tanks. ■* The Central Government is pleaching guerilla warfare and night tactics. "7~ NEW ITALIAN NOTE CONCILIATION PROCEDURE WISH FOR CONTINUATION LONDON, July 25 ' Several fresh developments have occurred in connection with the diispute between Italy and Abyssinia. The most notable is the unexpected reception at Geneva of Notes from Rome and Addis Ababa. The former is regarded as offering a prospect of a changed situation as regards the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. The Italian Note, a copy of which was also sent to, Addis Ababa, states) that the Government is desirous, as always, of completing the procedure of conciliation. It recalls the previous intimations to Abyssinia that Italy was prepared to resume the proceedings before th«i Conciliation Commission provided that it was limited to the TJalual affair. It is the opinion at Geneva that Italy does not consider that conciliation procedure has been exhausted and that, consequently, the Council of the League cannot properly enter into the :rights and wrongs of the case until after August 25, the date fixed by the 'Council for a meeting if no settlement by conciliation had been reached by then. Abyssinia has sent a Note to Geneva demanding that the Council be summoned urgently. The French Foreign Offica announces that the Council will meet on July 31 to discuss the dispute. SUPPLIES OP ARMS BRITISH ATTITUDE NOT ISSUING LICENCES) British Wireless RUGBY, July 26 The Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, in the House of Commons today, referred to the supply of arms to Italy and Abyssinia. He said the transit of arms destined for Abyssinia across British territory, or British protected territory, adjacent to Abyssinia, would be permitted in accordance with Article IX. of the treaty of 1930. " The French Government, I understand, interprets its obligation under the treaty in the same manner," said Sir Samuel. " As to the issue of esport licences, the British Government is doing best to make possible a peaceful outcome of this unhappy dispute and would not wish to do anything which might prejudice tho situation. " The Government, therefore, for the present, will not issue licences for the export of arms from this country, oither to Italy or to Abyssinia." * WAR MATERIAL SPEEDING UP IN ITALY SPECIAL COMMISSARIAT . ROME, Jtily 18 .Coinciding with the assemblage of the roggest army ever sent to Africa, Signor Mussolini has established a special commissariat for the control and Manufacture of war material. .It ig under tho control of General ff a ll 'Ollio, who was Minister of Munitions during the war, who will be in charge of output and fix prices, being w Jely responsible to Signor Mussolini. 1 The State-controlled Cogne steel • are supplying most of tho steel 1 or Last African munitions. They will t P® reorganised to cope with a ruuh of i SWSrs involving a loan of £3,000,000. 3