SECRET REPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 13

SECRET REPORT

PUBLICATION IN SOME GOOD TURN TO BRITAIN SINCERITY MADE CLEAR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 21. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 20 The majority of the English newspapers express the opinion that by the publication in II Giornale D'ltalia of the text of the secret report of the committee under the chairmanship of Sir John Maffey, Governor-General of the Sudan, which was presented to the British Foreign Office on June 18, 1935, Signor Gayda, director of the journal, has done Britain a good turn. The newspapers point out that the report has disproved the allegations of Imperialism, hypocrisy and misuse of the League by Britain iu her own interests. The Daily Herald satirically thanks Signor Mussolini for reflecting credit on Britain and disproving his own favourite arguments. The Daily Telegraph sarcastically pays a tribute to Signor Gayda's candour, whereby, in snatching at a shadow and claiming British approval for the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, he has completely discomfited the Italian propagandists. " Greatly to Britain's Credit " Tho Rome correspondent of the Times says diplomatic quarters there regard the publication of the document as inexplicable, as the impression is universal that it redounds greatly to the credit of Britain and shows her departmental experts to be men of wide vision, noticeable for impartiality and moderation. The Daily Mail's Rome correspondent says other circles regard the document as important because it confirms the fact that Signor Mussolini, in January, 1935, offered to discuss the Abyssinian situation. The Times in a leading article.says the only mystery about the document is that II Dure thought its publication profitable. His propagandists, who defended his cause by apocryphal dumdum bullets and the equally apocryphal activities of* the British military attache, will have difficulty in twisting the story to their advantage. Tho disclosure leaves the Italian case in an even worse position than before. Mystery of the Leakage

The Daily Mail's political correspondent states that a closer watch on known secret agents in London, and increased care in the circulation of Government documents to * Ministers and officials, will follow the leakage of the report. Officials are still unable to explain the mystery, in spite of inquiries in Paris. Brussels, Berlin. Rome and Addis Ababa, where startled officials are receiving urgent telephone calls and are being asked to account for their copies of the report. The Parliamentary correspondent of the Times says he doubts whether it is possible to trace the culprit after the lengthj' interval. He says the report did not express the Government's views, consequently Ministers do not regard its publication as an embarrassment, especially as it b°ars out the contention that the British attitude toward Abyssinia is altruistic and unselfish. Excitement in the Capitals

The publication of the report continued to cause excitement all day in the various capitals. Mr. Winston Churchill, after question time in the House of Commons, fruitlessly attempted to extract information from the Government.

The Speaker ruled that time was insufficient. Mr. Churchill insisted, and Mr. Baldwin half rose, uncertain of his position, but subsided in his seat as Captain H. D. Margesson, Chief Government Whip, gently tugged his coattails.

Mr. Baldwin later announced that the House would discuss foreign affairs on Monday. Later, still unofficially, he stated that Mr. Anthony Eden would make a statement on the subject on Monday. Suggested Theft of Document

There is no indication so far as to how the leakage occurred. The report was headed " Secret " in red ink and also was marked, " Property of the British Government." Secrecy is being maintained regarding the character and extent of the investigations, which are not confirmed in London.

According to one report from Rome the document was obtained by the Italian Secret Service. The British Embassy refuses to comment on the suggestion that the document was stolen from the Embassy. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says it is believed that the document was not purloined but photographed while in the possession of a British diplomat in Africa and a copy forwarded to Rome.