HOPE FADES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 13

HOPE FADES

AFRICAN DISPUTE ARMISTICE NOT LIKELY ITALY OBDURATE DEMANDS REITERATED j FRUITS OF VICTORY By Telegraph—Press Association— GENEVA, April 20 The Council of the League of Nations held a public sitting this morning to consider the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, Mr. S. M. Bruce presiding. Th(; chairman of the Committee of Thirteen, Senor Madariaga, read the report of the committee, after which Baron Aloisi (Italy) addressed the council. He attempted to throw the whole blame of the failure of the peace negotiations on Ethiopia, declaring that Italy all along had shown willingness to conform to the wishes of the League by conducting negotiations. Baron Aloisi dispelled all hopes of an armistice, declaring that one would be possible only if it assured the occupation by the Italians of all the centres of mobilisation in Abyssinia, including the capital. "The formation of 4000 kilometres of roads, the erection of 50 hospitals and numerous schools, the suppression of slavery and prohibition of child labour testify to the civil value of our military victory in Abyssinia," said Baron Aloisi. Protest and Counter-protest Continuing, the Italian representative protested against the suggested inquiry into the use of poison gas by the Italians, .declaring that Italy claimed the right to reprisals for Abyssinian atrocities. Mr. Wolde Mariam, the Abyssinian delegate, contended that Italy had never intended to negotiate within the framework of the League. He protesjpqd against the continued arid incessant delays in giving the help to which Abyssinia was entitled as the victim of unjustifiable aggression. He asked the council fully to apply Article XVI., to prevent the aggressor gaining a triumph. The council then adjourned .until .3 p.m. Proposed Draft Resolution After the adjournment Mr. Bruce, Senor Madariaga, M. Paul Boncour, Mr. Anthony Eden find M. Avenol, Secretary-General of the League, met in private to draft a resolution. It is understood they considered one prepared by the Scandinavian countries, Holland and Spain, attributing the failure of the peace negotiations to Italy, and iappealing i;o Italy to conclude the war in a manner worthy of a member of the League Council. The afternoon session was preceded by a pfivate meeting at which the council decided to leave the question of a resolution until the general discussion was finished. ' Baron Aloisi asked Heave to make a declaration. He protected against the statement that Mr. Wolde Mariam had made in the morning, that Italy was seeking to exact a price for her cooperation in Europe. He asserted that conciliation had failed because of Abyssinia's attitude. Britain Deplores Use of Gas Mr. Eden announced that Britain was prepared to accept new sanctions against Italy. He said: "If the poison gas protocol can be torn up, how can the peoples 'of densely-populated Western Europe be certain that they will not be torn to pieces, blinded or done to death in agony? "Britain feels the danger so deeply that she asks the council to recall to every member of the League its obligations under the protocol. Moreover, the Covenant must be binding and inescapable in its 'obligations to make lasting peace possible. If a nation violates it, there can be no faith in international obligations. "We are/faced with grave decisions and every Government must clearly state its policy," said Mr. Eden. "Britain retains her faith in the League as the best instrument at present available for the preservation of peace. If the utility of the League is placed in doubt each nation will have to consider separate action." M, Boncour associated himself with Mr. Eden's remarks about poison gas, but added that it was impossible to humanise war. There w r as little hope, once war had started, of enforcing limits. /

MR. EDEN'S SPEECH DISAPPOINTMENT CAUSED FRANCE NOT CO-OPERATING / LONDON, April 20 The News Chronicle's Geneva correspondent says Mr. Eden's speech, containing as it did so little of promise of deeds, caused considerable disappointment. However, his reaffirmation that whatever the military circumstances the League must maintain pressure on the aggressor is. important, but not helpful. It would be as hopeless to expect France to take the lead against Italy as to expect Britain to take the lead against Germany for her breach of the Locarno Treaty. Moreover, 'the Ministers of smaller European countries have been summoned weekly to the Palazzo Chigi, Home, where they have been menaced bv all sorts of punishments if they continue to epforce sanctions against Italy. Britain did not press at the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen to impose further sanctions, because it was expected France would strikingly declare for Franco-British solidarity, but Britain was " sold a pup," as M. Paul Boncur, after a telephone call to the Freneh Foreign Minister, M. Flandin (whose initiative toward conciliation led. to the present disastrous uncertainty), made no such declaration. On the contrary, M. Boncur indulged in a barely-veiled reproach of Britain for her lack of drastic action against Germany. M. Boncnr's speech chiefly comprised generalities, and ended abruptly when his hearers believed he was just beginning.