BRITISH CONCERN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22214, 14 September 1935, Page 13

BRITISH CONCERN

GBAVITY OF CRISIS NEW PROPOSALS LIKELY SETTLEMENT PROBLEM By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 13. 11.45 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Sept. 13 The Geneva correspondent of the Times says the British view of the situation isi that it remains extremely grave, and there is little hope that any form of conciliation will be successful. However, against this, it must be stated that there is a persistent belief that some form of settlement, going far beyond the Paris proposals, but acceptable to the Emperor of Ethiopia, is in the air. There is a general feeling that even if Italy relinquished all her claims some form of collective League intervention would bo necessary for the reorganisation and development of Abyssinia.

NOT HOPELESS CONCILIATION EFFORTS FRENCH PREMIER'S DILEMMA (Received September 13. 5.25 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 13 After an interview with Baron Aloisi the French Prime Minister indicated that the situation was not hopeless, and said he was making a last attempt to persuade Signor Mussolini. The Goneva correspondent of the Daily Mail says France is "sitting on the fence" regarding sanctions, and will do her utmost to protract the discussions and prevent a decision being rushed. M. Laval said yesterday: "If I were to open recruiting stations in France to recruit troops to fight Italy on behalf of Abyssinia there would not be a single volunteer." Another correspondent says that one of the few things which emerged from yesterday's reports on the Abyssinian problem was that M. Laval had seen fit officially to deny the statement in Le Petit Parisien that he was opposed to sanctions in any form.

BITTER ROME PRESS SIR S. HIOARE CRITICISED CHARGE. OF HYPOCRISY (Received September 13, 11.45 p.m.) Times Cable » LONDON. Sept. 13 The Rome correspondent of the Times says some of the newspapers there describe Sir Samuel Hoare's speech as a monument of hypocrisy, theoretical, false and blackmailing. One writer says: "We are not going to Abyssinia solely for raw materials and markets. It is for us a revolutionary goal."

ITALIAN WARSHIPS VISITS TO GREECE INTIMIDATION SUGGESTED (Received September 13. 5.25 p.m.) Timea Cable LONDON. Sept. 13 The Athens correspondent of the Times says Italy has notified the Greek Government that an Italian torpedoboat was obliged to anchor off Asida on account of bad weather. The Government had protested against this new infringement of international courtesy. The Scotsman, commenting on the visits of Italian warships to Greece, expresses tins opinion that Italy, in view of the League considering sanctions, desires to intimidate Greece and possibly the Balkan Powers, also to seize Greek merchantmen for use if a blockade is established, and to secure Greek islands for bases for naval raids, thereby raising a counterblockade.

BRITAIN AND MALTA STRENGTHENING GARRISON THREE INFANTRY BATTALIONS (Received September 13. 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13 In view of the international situation three battalions of British infantry at present at Catterick will be despatched shortly to Malta. This will bring the garrison to the authorised establishment, which was depleted in 1929 when troops were sent to Palestine

TREASURES HIDDEN BOMB-PROOF SHELTER ETHIOPIAN CROWN JEWELS (Heceived September 13, 6.25 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA. Sept. 12 The Ethiopian Crown jewels, including the late Emperor Theodore's gold crown, which the British captured at Magdala and later restored, also a cold necklace reputed to have been worn by the Queen of Sheba, have been placed in a secret bomb-proof shelter.

BRITISH DELEGATES ACTIVITIES AT GENEVA British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 12 MM. Lavn.l and Herriot gave a luncheon to-clay to Sir Samuel Hoare and Mr. Anthony Eden and other members of thu British delegation. Sir Samuel will leave Geneva to-morrow for London, and in his absence Mr. Eden will acting-lender of the British delegation. This morning Sir Samuel conferred with M. Litvinoff and the Portuguese Foreign Secretary, Senor Monteiro.

ALLEGATIONS DENIED GENEVA, Sept. 12 Dr. Hawariat (Abyssinia) has sent a Note to the League Secretariat declaring that the alleged Ethiopian atrocities are a fake, citing a Belgian photographer's statement that Italy had misrepresented nome of his pictures. The Conciliation Committee, after lengthy discission, has instructed its sub-committee to draft a report containing preliminary proposals for submission to Italy and Abyssinia in certain circumi;!;ances as a basis for a settlement.