GENEVA COMMITTEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 11

GENEVA COMMITTEE

PEIVATE DISCUSSION FRANCE AND BRITAIN CLASH ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright GENEVA, April 8 Immediately the private meeting of the Committee of Thirteen at Geneva opened at 11 a.m. to-day, Mr. Anthony Eden, British Foreign Secretary, raised the question of the use ofjpoison gas in the Abyssinian war. Mr. Eden emphatically declared that Italy and Abyssinia had both signed the 1925 anti-gas convention which did not permit of exceptions under any circumstances. The employment of gas by Italian airmen had raised the question as to whether international conventions wore of any value whatsoever. Mr. Eden asked whether the Secretariat of the League had received any message from the Red Cross authorities. Tho meeting adjourned at 4 p.m. to enable M. Avenol to make tho necessary inquiries. Mr. Eden and M. Flandin It is Understood that the French Foreign Minister, M. Flandin, retorted to Mr. Eden that the League should also inquire into Italian accusations that Abyssinians were using dum-dum bullets and mutilating prisoners. A direct clash between Mr. Eden and M. Flandin has not occurred, but delegates otj leaving the meeting expressed tho opinion that tho policies of Britain and France remain divergent. A British report on the use of poison gas included evidence of British medical men, I)r. Molly and Dr. Mac Fie, an Irishman, Dr. Brophil, and a statement by Dr. Juned, of the International Red Cross, showing that they had treated large numbers of cases of wounds caused by gas bombs.

Mr. Eden, in raising the question of peace efforts, said that five weeks had elapsed since M. Flandin's appeal to both parties to have recourse to conciliation within the framework of the League. There had been no progress, but on the contrary, an intensification of the war.

"We must have an immediate cessation of hostilities and proceed to negotiations," added the British delegate. Question of Raising Sanctions

M. Flandin urged that the committee should not rush matters. He said France was of the opinion that a cessation of hostilities should bo followed by the raising of sanctions. Mr. Eden drily replied that there was no danger of the committee being accused of rushing the question.

The committee then instructed the chairman, Senor Madariaga, to make contact with Italy's representative, Baron Aloisi.

The Mexican representative, who presided over the committee of experts on oil sanctions, sent a letter to Senor Vasconcellcs, chairman of the Sanctions Committee, protesting against the delay in the application of further sanctions against Italy and disclaiming responsibility for measures such as the proposed conciliation which had held up further sanctions.

STATE OF TENSION GENEVA PEACE EFFORTS ROME'S DECISION AWAITED (Received April 10. 6.45 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, April 9 Messages from Geneva state that the outcome of the interview of the chairman of the Committee of Thirteen, Senor Madariaga, with the Italian representative, Baron Aloisi, whom he is to ask for definite assurances regarding peace negotiations, to which the Italian Government has agreed in principle, is anxiously awaited. The committee yesterday requested Senor Madariaga to get in touch with Baron Aloisi with a view to ascertaining if Italy is willing to start peace negotiations at once. Also the committee set up a committee of jurists to study the alleged violations of the anti-gas and other conventions. The British delegation provided the Secretariat with full details of the reports in its possession about the alleged use of poison gas by Italians in Abyssinia. Conflicting forecasts appear in the English press regarding the probable future action to'be taken by the committee. The News Chronicle says it anticipates that if it fails to arrange an immediate armistice during which l>eace terms .would be discussed the Committee of Eighteen will be summoned to examine additional measures against Italian aggression. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent, on the other hand, says he believes the Italians will be asked to call a halt in the attack on Abyssinia and may bo informed that the conclusion of a truce would be accompanied by the lifting of sanctions against Italy. There is no authority for these, or other, reports which are current. The action to be taken lies entirely with tho Committee, of Thirteen, before which all the relevant facts will be laid and fully examined.