EMPEROR'S OFFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 13

EMPEROR'S OFFER

CONCESSIONS TO ITALY TERRITORY AND A ROAD ADVISERS FOR ETHIOPIA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Sept. 9 A message from Addis Ababa states that new instructions, on which Abyssinia's delegates at Geneva were working at the weekend, are reported to have included four important concessions including : (1) The cession of part of Ogaden, north of Italian Somaliland. (2) The nomination by the League of advisers, for Ethiopia, although the Emperor would be empowered to veto thei appointments. (3) Italy to be permitted to construct a road from Eritrea southward to Gondor. The fourth proposed concession so far is not known. It is believed that the Emperor Haili Selassie remains opposed to a mandate, protectorate or similar encroachment on his sovereignty, as a too liberal concession might lead to civil war. The Daily Telegraph's Addis Ababa correspondent, discussing the Emperor's attitude toward the concessions, says the position is described as follows: — Abyssinia is not awaiting the highest bidder at international auction, but rather resembles a householder threatened by an armed intruder. If the League wishes to assist, its aid will be welcomed. If war is inevitable, Abyssinia will go down fighting. On the othor hand, if the Abyssinians defeat the Italians they will not advance on Eritrea and Somaliland to recover their lost ground, as those districts are uninhabitable owing to the inadequate water, heat and the prevalence of malaria.

ETHIOPIAN PROPOSALS ADDITIONAL DETAILS ADVISERS CONSULTED (Received September 10, 11.55 p.m. Times Cable LONDON, Sept. 10 The Times publishes a copyright message from Addis Ababa stating that after a long consultation with his advisers, the Emperor, Haili Selassie, is willing to cede part of Ogaden for a payment or an equivalent grant of territory and to reopen the negotiations which were abortive in 1928, for the construction of a road from Addis Ababa to Dessie and Assab. MALTA'S DEFENCES WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS (Received September 10. 5.15 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 10 The Malta correspondent of the British United Press says wire entanglements are being fixed in shallow, sandy bays all along the coast. More anti-air-craft guns are being installed at several points.

FRENCH SOMALILAND POFIT OF JIBOUTI KEEPING TRAFFIC LINE OPEN (Receivecl September 10. 7.5 p.m.) PARIS, Sept. 9 The French authorities intend to do their utmost; to keep tlie -Jibouti line open for international traffic. ITALY AND LEAGUE ATTITUDE HARDENED MARTIAL ENTHUSIASM LONDON, Sept. 9 The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says the Italian attitude toward the League has been hardened. It is stated on unimpeachable authority that Italy has been seriously considering leaving the League. Whether Signor Mussolini wall instruct Baron Aloisi to break off relations with Geneva in the next few days depends upon the League's action regarding the Abyssinian dispute. Italy contends that she sponsored Abyssinia's election to the League in 1923 upon the understanding that Ethiopians should mend their ways, be good neighbours and carry out their treaties. In this, it is said, they have failed. Accordingly, Italy considers Abyssinia no longer a member of the League. Signor Mussolini's declaration yesterday that he will go ahead has produced new Italian condemnation of the League proceedings, which he described as theatrical and futile. La Iribuna characterises, them as "a saturnalia with merry-go-rounds and general invocations for the extermination of Fascism." In the meanwhile, martial enthusiasm ia at white heat, and is accompanied bv a genera] certainty of overwhelming success. An Italian Government spokesman stated: "No longer is it possible to envisage a solution without military operations." When questioned whether September 24 would fcs the "zero hour," he shrugged, his shoulders and said: "We are ready any day."

WORK AT GENEVA CONCILIATION COMMITTEE CHARGES BEING EXAMINED LONDON, Sept. !) A message from Geneva states that the conciliation committee has appointed a sub-committee composed of subordinate delegates, to study the Italian charg;es and Abyssinia's countercharges. The British United Press correspondent at Genova says the formation of this subcommittee is regarded as a tactical victory for Signor Mussolini, who objected to the committee examining the Paris proposals first. He insisted that the Italian memorandum should be investigated first.