BRITISH RIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22200, 29 August 1935, Page 11

BRITISH RIGHTS

ITALY WILL EESPECT A DEFINITE PROMISE BOLZANO MANOEUVRES WORSHIP OF MUSSOLINI By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 28. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 28 The special correspondent of the Daily Mail at Bolzano, North Italy, Mr. G. Ward Price, says: "Signor Mussolini informed me that the Government, after the meeting of the Cabinet, would declare its complete readiness to respect all the British Empire's rights, thus disposing of any suggestion that Italy's plans in regard to Abyssinia are prejudicial to British interests." The dominant impression mado by to-day's military manoeuvres, con-' tinues tho correspondent, was the worship of Signor Mussolini by soldiers and civilians. The eyes of tho troops shone as they marched past or as II Dnce addressed them, and the villagers cheered him frantically. Another message states that Sianor Mussolini instructed his Ministers to wear military uniforms when attending the Cabinet meeting.

BRITAIN AND AMERICA UNION TO AVERT WAR | SIR M. CAMPBELL'S VIEWS (Received August 28, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 27 Sir Malcolm Campbell, famous British racing motorist, in an interview on his arrival in New York to-day expressed a doubt whether, in view of the slight possibility of British entanglement in the Italo-Ethiopian j situation, he should have made the trip at all. " You have no idea over here," said j Sir Malcolm, " how terribly serious j the situation is back home* War is | unthinkable and yet it appears as though we are on the verge of another one. A union of English-speaking people would stop it and it should be done because the United States will be drawn into the war anyway. "If America would only back up Britain and just tell the world they would not allow another war to start, there would be none. We belong together, and no one dare defy the might of Britain and the United States together." DEFENCE MEASURES ABYSSINIANS' ACTIVITY PREPARING FOR HOLY WAR LONDON, Aug. 27 A message from Addis Ababa states that cavalry are speeding arms and ammunition to the southern Abyssinian armv. Reserves of munitions, hidden since the battle of Adowa, but of doubtful value, are now emerging from caves hewn into rocks, and from churches, with the permission of the priests, who regard the coming campaign as a holy war. The Government is having merchants' petrol stocks removed to underground L shelters. The largest possible mechan- | ised force is being concentrated in the ! Ogaden district, totalling about 140 ! motor lorries. POLICY OF BRITAIN NO ISOLATED ACTION PROCEDURE AT GENEVA LONDON, Aug. 27 Prominence is given by the London press to the views expressed by Mr. W. M. Hughes, who was Prime Minister of Australia during the war, in which he urged that Britain should not act alone in connection with any measures against Italy. It is pointed out, however, that nowhere is isolated action on the part of Britain against Italy desired or contemplated. This has been emphasised in all recent statements. The maximum action to which Britain is likely to be committed is the taking of the initiative at Geneva in proposing, in certain conditions, that the nations refuse to supply raw materials and credits to Italy. Even this, it is hoped, may be avoided by a joint Franco-British resolution. MINISTERS BUSY FOREIGN OFFICE TALKS FRANCE KEPT IN TOUCH British Wireless RUGBY, Aug, 27 The Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, and the Minister of League of I Nations Affairs, Mr. Anthony Eden, returned to work at the Foreign Office to-day Among other business which will occupy them during the next few days is an examination of aspects of the ltalo-Abyssinian dispute, which will come before the League Council on September 4. It will be recalled that at the end of the Council's meeting on August 3 Mr. Eden, referring to the proposed three-Power conversations in Paris, said: "I will inform the Council at its next meeting of the result of these endeavours." The form of the report which Mr. Eden will make to the Council will he one of the questions to which the two Ministers will have to give attention, and it is likely, as Mr. Eden has been associated with M. Laval as joint rapporteurs before the Council on the Abyssinian appeal, that the f'rench Prime Minister will be consulted in this matter. in any case, the British and French Governments remain in touch through diplomatic channels in regard to the situation in accordance with the policy announced at Paris on August 18. M. Laval is reported to have had interviews to-da.v with the British Ambassador and the Italian Ambassador,' seeing the latter twice. Press messages from Homo indicate the intention of the Italian Government to conform with the League's procedure at the forthcoming meeting of the Council, where the Italian delegate, Baron Aloisi, will have instructions to make a full statement of the Italian case in reply to the Abyssinian i appeal.