CRUCIAL TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22224, 26 September 1935, Page 11

CRUCIAL TEST

LEAGUEOQUNCIL TO-DAY'S MEETING EAST AFBICAN CBISIS ABYSSINIANS' FEAR ITALIAN INCUBSION By TolegTaph—Press Association—Copyright (Keceived September 25, 9.35 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. Sept. 25 The Geneva correspondent of the Times says the League Council's most probable procedure on Thursday, when it will meet to reconsider the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, is under Article XV. of the Covenant. This provides that the Council shall draw up its own report and recommendations after conciliation has failed.

The Italians in Geneva speak glibly of Italy's departure from the League if Article XV. is invoked, but this may merely be intended to impress.

Nevertheless, even the most ardent seekers for a basis of compromise are beginning to be discouraged, although some profess to see signs of approaching Italian conversion.

In the meanwhile on the Abyssinian side, says the cor/espondent. the fear of an "incident" which might provide occasion for an Italian incursion into Abyssinian territory is now uppermost and is leading to an urgent repetition of the suggestion that a League Commission should be sent to Abyssinia to observe the frontiers and make sure that deliberate provocation does not occur.

The length of the frontiers and the time needed to send out an adequate corps of observers are obvious objections to the scheme, but the fact that it is being pressed indicates the form which the Abyssinian expectations of an Italian attack have now taken.

Article XV. of the League Covenant is as follows:—If there should arise between members of the League anv dispute likely to lead to a rupture, which is not submitted' to arbitration in accordance with Article XIII., the members of the League agree that they will submit the matter to the Council. Any party to the dispute may effect such submission by giving notice of the existence of the dispute to the Sec-retary-General, who will make all the necessary arrangements for a full investigation and consideration thereof. For this purpose the parties to the dispute will communicate to the Sec-retary-General, as promptly as possible, statements of their case, with all the relevant fact and papers, and the Council may forthwith direct the publication thereof.

The Council shall endeavour to effect a settlement of the dispute, and if such efforts are successful, a statement shall be made public giving such facts and explanations regarding the dispute and the terms of settlement thereof as the Council may deem appropriate. If the dispute is not thus settled, the Council either unanimously or by s a majority vote shall make and pub,vlish a report containing a statement of the facts of the dispute and the recommendations which are deemed just and proper in regard thereto. Any member of the League represented on the Council may make public & statement of the facts of the dispute and of its conclusions regarding the same.

If a report by the Council is unanimously agreed tc by the members thereof, other than the representatives of one or more of the parties to the dispute, the members of the League agree that they will not go to war with any party to the dispute which complies with the recommendations of the report. If the Council fails to reach a report which is unanimously agreed to by the members thereof, other than the representatives of one or more of the parties to the dispute, the members of the League reserve to themselves the right to take such action as they shall consider rtfcessary for the maintenance of right and justice. If the,dispute between the parties is claimed by one of them, and is found by the Council, to arise out of_a matter which by international taw is solely within the domestic jurisdiction of that party, the Council shall so report, and shall make no recommendations as to its-settlement. The Council may in any case under this Article refer the dispute to the Assembly.' The dispute shall be so referred at the request of either party to the dispute, provided that such request be made within 14 days after the submission of the.dispute to the Council. In any case referred to the Assembly, all the provisions of this Article and of Article XII. relating to the action and powers of the Council shall apply to the action and powers of the Assembly, provided that a report made bv the Assembly, if concurred in by the representatives of those members o the League represented on the Council and of a majority of the other members of the League, exclusive m each case of the representatives of the parties to the dispute, shall have the same force as a report by the Council concurred in by all the members thereof other than the representatives of one •or more of the parties to the dispute. BRITISH CABINET . FULL MEETING HELD FOREIGN POLICY CONFIRMED British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 24 The first meeting of the British Cabinet was held to-day. Ihe Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, presided and there was a full attendance of Ministers, Trith the exception of Mr. Anthony Eden, who is still at Geneva. It is understood that the Cabinet considered the developments in the international "situation which occurred since its last meeting, and it is assumed that the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, in reviewing the presen 4 positicn, acquainted his colleagues with the impressions he had gained on his visit to Geneva, as well »s vrith the latest reports received from Mr. Eden. The attitude of the Government toward foreign affairs, and in particular toward the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia, has been fully discussed by Ministers on several occasions, and was carefully explained in Sir Samuel Hoare's speoch at the League Assembly on Septei-.lier 11, and in his speech in the House of Commons on July 12. It is- believed that the Cabinet found no reason to change in any way the policy which, It has been made clear j recent weeks, enjoys the almost unanimous support of all parties and sections of public opinion. I