GROWING TENSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 13

GROWING TENSION

FRANCE AND ETHIOPIA

NEUTRAL ZONE DEMAND AIR RAID PRECAUTION ABYSSINIANS RESENTFUL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 22, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 22 The Daily Telegraph's Addis Ababa correspondent says there is growing tension between France and Abyssinia owing to a French demand that the Abyssinians should demarcate a neutral zone in Diredawa, with warning posts visible from the sky, in which French nationals may take refuge in the event of air raids. The Abyssinian Government regards the request as an infringement of Abyssinia's sovereignty and a virtual invitation to Italy to bomb the rest of Diredawa. Fears also are expressed that France may attempt to retain the area permanently. HOSPITAL SHIP 686 ITALIAN PATIENTS ORDEALS IN ERITREA (Received October 23, 12.15 a.m.) Times Cnble LONDON. Oct. 22 The Port Said correspondent of the Times says the hospital ship California traversed the Suez Canal on the way to Italy with 686 sick labourers—the largest shipment of sick men that has passed through the canal yet. The patients were described as completely dejected and worn out. Tuberculosis is reported to be rife among the Italian labourers in Eritrea owing to their exposure to the low air pressure, lack of water and bad food. SETTLEMENT TERMS MUSSOLINI'S DEMANDS PARIS OFFER DECLINED (Received October 23, 12.15 LONDON, Oct. 22 The Rome correspondent of the British United Press says trustworthy Italian quarters assert that Signor Mussolini would be ready to discuss a settlement of t!he Abyssinian dispute if Britain would reduce her Mediterranean Fleet, the League postpone sanctions and Italy bo allowed to consolidate "in the territory already conquered." According to the Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent Signor Mussolini has resolutely declined to accept any settlement on the basis of the recent Paris offer. SANCTIONS QUESTION DATE OF APPLICATION A DECISION PENDING (Received October 22. 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 21 The Sanctions Co-ordination Committee and the Committee of Eighteen will meet again at Geneva to-day and decide upon the date for the application of the measures agreed upon. The Governments of the participating States have been asked to inform the Secre-tary-General of the League, M. Avenol, of the measures they are taking to put the recommendations into effect. HOLLAND ACTS NO ARMS FOR ITALY (Received October 22, 5.5 p.m.) THE HAGUE. Oct. 21 Holland will place an embargo tomorrow on the export of arms to Italy and her colonies. BRITAIN AND ITALY TIES OF FRIENDSHIP British Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 21 Speaking at the Church Conference to-day the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, said: "Italy for generations has been our close and constant friend and there is no desire deeper in the hearts of all of us than that that friendship may continue. It is most important to make plain that the present dispute is not between this country and Italy but between Italy and the Ticague of Nations. "Moreover, in passing judgment upon the acts of Italy we are only echoing the judgment of about 50 nations of the world. We are bound by the obligations of the Covenant which we have deliberately undertaken. If, unfortunately, Italy has made a breach in her observance of' tho Covenant that is no reason why we should follow that example, but rather there is every reason vhy we should be more determined to keep our own word and encourage other nations to keep theirs. "The only security for peace in the world is collective acceptance of a common rule of law among the nations. So as to establish that rule tho League of Nations was founded and exists. To protect and defend the Covenant of tho league is tho surest way of protecting and defending tho way of settled peace." Tho Archbishop disclosed tho fact that he had invited the authorities of all Christian committees to send simultaneously a solemn reminder of their obligations to the members representing them on the League, and he added: "I learn that the Pope is unwilling at present to say more than ho has said in public. We must generously recognise the pecili-ir difficulty in which he is placed. L hope the Anglican and Protestant communions will soon unite in uttering an assertion of the supremacy of the Kingdom of God." ENCOURAGING VIEW LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE British Wireless RUGEY, Oct. 21 An encouraging view of the international situation was taken on the London Stock Exchange to-day and markets closed with a good undertone. The demand in all sections expanded considerably.