THE SUEZ CANAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 11

THE SUEZ CANAL

SUGGESTED CLOSING ITALIAN IRE AROUSED COLONIAL RIGHTS REITERATED By Telcßraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 27, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 20 An announcement by the Earl of Lytton that the League of Nations Union intended to urge the Government to close the Suez Canal to prevent Italy further exploiting her successes in Abyssinia is given wide attention at Geneva. Some sections there are of opinion that, although late, it would show the possibility of applying further sanctions. Scnatore Davenzati, in an article in La Tribuna, Rome, vigorously attacks British publicists who are demanding the closing of the Suez Canal. He says: "We must repeat what wo said in September, that to warlike acts we will reply with warlike acts." The Home correspondent of the Times, referring to Senatore Davenzati's outburst, says the possibility, even the probability, of a conflict between Britain and Italy has become an increasingly frequent theme of private conversation. The Italian Government's official spokesman has always professed to discount British suggestions that Italy might use Abyssinia to provide a large coloured army and as the basis of Imperialistic plans. Yet the Italian determination to create a strong colonial empire in Africa is sharpened by the existence of British opinion favouring the return of the German colonies. It is argued that if the German colonies are restored in the interests of European peace the British Government cannot object to Italian expansion in Abyssinia.