THESE WEEKS OF TENSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 10

THESE WEEKS OF TENSION

The breakdown of the Earis conference on the Italo-Abyssinian dispute removes another of the defences of peace. Week after week has seen these defences crumble. None of human devising has been proof against the menace so far. Only the rain, it seems, could prevent an outbreak of war at an earlier stage, when friction over the Walwal incident had intensified while Italy and Abyssinia were at odds in presenting to the world their grievances agajnst each other; and in another six weeks, at most, by which time the normal rainy season will be over, that barrier will have vanished. In the meantime, anxiety deepens and eleventhhour effortß to obviate a sanguinary struggle are pursued with increasing difficulty. The British Foreign Secretary, ending a brief respite from official duties, has had an audience with the King; the Prime Minister is expected to interrupt his holiday and summon a special meeting of Cabinet; Mr. Anthony Eden, returned from the ineffectual conference, is ready with his disappointing report of it. Thus the British view of things is clouded with sombre thought. Throughout the critical period British attempts to produce amicable understanding have been resolutely pursued. There has been no inclination—such as some wish to see—to run away from international responsibility. Instead, a proposal to yield a strip of British Somaliland to Italy, as a means of moderating Italian demands levelled at Abyssinia, was hopefully made, only to be thrust scornfully aside. Next, Britain and France 'propounded a f scheme of settlement that would give Italy great concessions, short of rupturing the political integrity of Abyssinia, and this, although not so flatly refused, has had scant welcome. So the purpose of Italy has been declared <vith increasing emphasis as unshakenly belligerent, and mobilisation on both sides has continued. Abyssinia's emperor has been conciliatory but protesting, Mussolini implacable and resentful. The task of mediation has not halted, but it has been checked at every fresh advance. What remains to be tried? Through ordinary diplomatic avenues there can be, and will be, further discussion. In a fortnight the League will be reviewing the position, having Italy in attendance ; but none can forecast the outcome of that last interchange of plain speech. The Pope has been approached with a Christian appeal to intervene, and this effort, if pressed, may avail. It is evident that the end of moral suasion is being reached —as searching a test of modern ability to outlaw war as can he imagined. These weeks of tension—until the Abyssinian rains cease their restraint — are putting great issues to the test, and after them may be others as critical, unless in the interval counsels of wisdom prevail.