PEACE PORTENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 13

PEACE PORTENTS

INDICATION OF TERMS ITALY'S THREE PROPOSALS LIBYAN FORCE REDUCED WITHDRAWAL OF DIVISION I?r Tolocrapli—Press Asuocinlion—Copyright (Received October 25, 5.115 p.m.) LONDON*, Oct. 24 Ap official announcement from Rome of the withdrawal of a division of 1 5,000 troops from Libya to Italy, accompanied by another announcement of what: the Daily Telegraph believes to be Signor Mussolini's first definite peace terms, give new interest to the discussions at present proceeding. The Italian spokesman, according to the Rome correspondent of the Times, strongly emphasised that Italy was withdrawing her troops on her own initiative and unconditionally. She was not requesting Britain to make a corresponding gesture. Nevertheless it was hoped that the Italian action would contribu?e toward a tranquilisation of the situation and to Britain seeing her way to withdraw some of her warships from the Mediterranean. The so-called peace terms appear in 11 Giornale d Italia in which Signor Gayda suggests that three points would satisfy Italy, namely: (1 ) The disarming of Abyssinia with international control over the territory. Italy considers Abyssinia proper to be distinct from the outlying provinces, which are racially separated from her. (2) Italian occupation of the Tigre province. (3) Abyssinia to be given a port in Eritrea. These proposals admittedly closely resemble those re- ' ported from Paris which Signor Mussolini rejected. Also it is believed that Signor Mussolini is more likely to demand Zeila as the Abyssinian port. The Paris correspondent of the Times, referring to a report, which later was denied, that Signor Mussolini offered M. Laval a basis for a settlement, including the establishment of concessions similar to those in L-hina, says he thinks the denial should be interpreted as indicating that the conversations have not reached a concrete stage yet. Moreover M. Laval does not desire to transmit proposals which should be made directly to Britain. That attitude will not hinder his effort to reach a basis which will satisfy the League and Britain. The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent says that, notwithstanding denials, an Italian scheme for a settlement is before Britain and France. It may be on general lines but it certainly exists.

ITALY'S HALTED ADVANCE

OPTIMISM CREATED IN EUROPE POSSIBLE BASIS FOR A SETTLEMENT (Received October '25, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 The News Chronicle's Rome correspondent says that although official circles disclaim knowledge of psace negotiations the prolonged halt in the Italian advance is creating optimism. There is every reason to believe that Signor Mussolini has relinquished his ambition for a mandate over all Abyssinia and that what he claims now is the joining up of the Italian colonies by the cession of the Ogaden, Harrar and Tigre provinces, which he insists are not part of Abyssinia proper, It is: stated that he is willing to concede to Abyssinia the port of Assab. The only hitch in this plan is that the Sanctions Committee will meet at Geneva on October 31 but the newspapers give prominence to a report that the meeting may be postponed until November 15 to enable the negotiations to proceed. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says that apart from other considerations the growing realisation of the technical difficulties and the economic cost of the Abyssinian campaign are believed to lie behind Signor Mussolini's reported peace moves. Moreover now it is asserted that Italy never intended to conquer the whole of Abyssinia. Her avowed objects are:— (1) To enforce the loyal execution of the many treaties with Abyssinia during the past 40 years. (2) To obtain new land for colonisation and the concessions promised in the treaties. (3) To ensure the security of her settlers and colonial frontiers. The campaign is believed to have reached a stage when these objects are within sight.

FLEET IN MEDITERRANEAN BRITISH OFFICIAL ATTITUDE REDUCTION NOT YET WARRANTED (Received October 25. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON", Oct. CI The Daily Herald's diplomatic correspondent discounts the ■suggestion that Britain should withdraw two battleships from the Mediterranean. He says Britain does not consider the withdrawal of one division of Italian troops from Libya a sufficient exchange for one battleship. On the contrary she wants three divisions withdrawn. The Cairo correspondent of the Times says the withdrawal of the Italians probably was largely due to difficulties of maintenance, as water is limited to a supply from the sea which is hazardous in winter. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the decision not to transfer the troops from Libya to Last Africa is regarded as significant. Signor Suvich, Italian Under-Secretary for I oreign Affairs, informed Sir Eric Drummond, British Ambasseidor in Rome, yesterday that Italy had ordered the withdrawal of the division from Libya. The forces there at present number between 60,000 and 70,000, compared with 15,000 British troops in Egypt. British Government circles welcome the move but emphasise that it was taken entirely on Italian initiative and was in no way associated with bargaining or accqmpanied by a request for a reciprocal gesture on the part of Elritain. This clear statement from an authoritative quarter discounts rumours on the Continent concerning the withdrawal of ships from the Mediterranean. The Admiralty, replying to an inquiry by a correspondent of the Associated Press regarding the withdrawal of two warships from the Mediterranean, said: "We know nothing about it." The assumption is that Italy has not done sufficient in Libya to justify any British response. .