SANCTIONS ISSUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22271, 20 November 1935, Page 13

SANCTIONS ISSUE

FRENCH HESITANCY THE RISK OF WAR WILL NOT BE IMPLICATED 3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 19. 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 A most interesting angle of the sanctions question is afforded from France, where the press again predicts that the dangerous experiment is doomed to eventual failure. For example Le Matin, envisaging this danger, says that France will not go to war unless her very life is She cannot yield to a form of blackmail which said: "If you do not side with me to-day I will not help you if you are attacked to-morrow " Le Matin added: "France has refused to purchase to-day, at the price of an unjustifiable, avoidable war, a promise of help for future hypothetical occasions."

The committee of the French National Action Against Sanctions protests that tlie.v are ihiquitous, illegal and likely to provoke war. Even M. Flandin, Minister of State, addressing the Alliance Democratique, said: "If other countries take on risks, it is their business, but France will in no way be dragged in against her will." The French Union of Export Industries is to hold meetings to-morrow and the next day to protest against sanctions.

"SIEGE" CELEBRATED FLAGS FLOWN IN ITALY GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION Times Cnble LONDON. Nov. 18 The Rome correspondent of the Times says Italians are dutifully flying flags in obedience to the Fascist Grand Council, and the country has girded up itself to meet "the ignominious, iniquitous economic siege" laid by 50 foreign nations. The streets of every town waved with tricolours to-day, and large establishments displayed streamers, while humbler houses had little homemade flags. • Apart from scuffles promoted by Black Shirt students and corner-boys, who paraded, shouting: "Down with sanctions" aild " Down with England," Rome was completely orderly. The armed guard cordon round the British Consulate was kept until sundown. No Britons were molested. Crowds cheered outside the Consulates of non-sanction-ary countries. Thinking that Italians will no longer conceal from themselves the gravity of the situation, and beinfe aware that the protracted application of sanctions will demand sacrifices Comparable to 1915, resistance has already been organised so far as preparations can bo made in advance. Detailed instructions have been formulated for Customs and banks and for citizens. Henceforward Italy's borders will bo closed to all imports from sanctionist countries. Signor Gayda, in II Giornale d'ltalia, suggests that all the flags of civilisation should be flown half-mast as a symbol of "the supreme wrong toward Italy which will never be erased from history."

TRADE SUSPENDED BRITAIN AND ITALY GOODS CHIEFLY CONCERNED British Wireless RUGBY, Nov. 18 Trade between Britain and Italy has been virtually suspended by the application of sanctions. During the past 10 months the imports into Britain from Italy and her colonies have represented a value of £6,000,000. Lemons and cheese accounted for nearly £1,000,000 of this total, and although most of the imports were natural products of Italy, fruit, wine, nuts, olive oil, marble, etc., and certain manufactured or semi-manufactured articles were also included, notably leather gloves, of which the value in the current year was £373,687. All imports from Italy are now discontinued, and exports from Britain to Italy of certain metals and key products are also suspended in accordance with the sanctions order. Britain's first step in the enforcement of sanctions was to notify the Secretariat of the League of Nations that certificates of origin were required for all goods from countries contiguous or accessible to Italy, namely, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and Albania. Already Germany has tentatively replied, expressing the opinion that the request was not in accord with the trade treaty with Britain.