SHOW OF STRENGTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 11

SHOW OF STRENGTH

ITALY'S GREAT AEMY IMPOSING MANOEUVRES EUROPEAN DEFENCE FORCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 25. fi.35 p.m.) ROME. Aug. 24 Half a million Italians are entrenched on the northern frontier of Bolzano, North Italy. Not only is this the mightiest army every mobilised in Europe peace manoeuvres, 'but one of the most formidably equipped armed organisations the world has ever seen. It is believed that the manoeuvres constitute Signor Mussolini's answer to those who declare that the Abyssinian campaign exposes Italy .to European attacks. WHAT SPAIN FEARS RISING IN MOROCCO EFFECT OF AFRICAN WAR (Received August 25. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 24 A message from Gibraltar says Spain fears a rising of Moroccan tribesmen if Ethiopia is attacked. The War Office is creating large dumps of war material in readiness for trouble. FOREIGN AIRCRAFT NEW REGULATIONS FRONTIER CROSSING PLACES (Received August 25. 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. Aug. 24 The Rome correspondent of the Times says it is announced that foreign aircraft entering or leaving Italy henceforth must cross land frontiers or the coast only at specified points. They must then follow the shortest route to the aerodrome for which they are bound. BRITISH MINISTERS WATCH ON DEVELOPMENTS HOPES OF AVERTING WAR British Wireless RUGBY, Aug. 23 After yesterday's meeting of the British Cabinet on the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, it was understood that the Ministers remaining in London would keep in touch with the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, for consultation. An informal meeting was held today at No. 10 Downing Street. Mr. Mac Donald, who is acting-Prime Minister in Mr. Baldwin's absence on holiday abroad, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Bolton Eyres-Mon-sell, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Viscount Halifax, Secretary of State for War, were present. Mr. Mac Donald left by the night train for Lossiemouth. No important developments in the Situation are anticipated before the meeting of the League Council on September 4, though, as was indicated yesterday, the British Government will pursue with the French Government the policy announced in Paris of seeking, through diplomatic channels, any opportunity to help the parties to the dispute to solve their difficulties. The expectation in London is that Italy will attend the Council meeting, and the hope is expressed in many quarters that she will then make a full statement of her case, and that the machinery of the League will be given a chance to operate to produce a fair and reasonable settlement without recourse to warlike measures.

It is believed' that a strong world opinion is behind the efforts to secure a peaceful solution, and it is not supposed that the possibilities of conciliation still open will be set aside lightly by any member of the League. While the League Council should have appreciably progressed with the investigation of the dispute before the Assembly meets on September 9, the Council will probably sit concurrently with the Assembly, which will also participate in the consideration. It is understood that Britain has not yet* formally sought the views of the Dominions, but Sir Samuel Hoare is not likely to go to Geneva ignorant of their intentions. All the Dominions are represented at the Assembly, but only Australia is on the Council. For that reason the Foreign Secretary must be appraised of the extent to which he is empowered to speak for the others. Although the Cabinet has not considered whether the League can close the Suez Canal, €;xperts believe that if sanctions were enforced the treaty of 188S compels the granting to all nations of free passage in peace or war. ATTITUDE OF CANADA CO-OPERATION WITH LEAGUE OTTAWA. Auc. 23 The Canadian High Commissioner in London has been authorised to pledge Canada's willingness to join the League in economic reprisals against Italy.