FRANCE FIRM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22413, 8 May 1936, Page 11

FRANCE FIRM

jIL DUCE WARNED | RIGHTS IN ABYSSINIA AUTHORITY OF LEAGUE IESPECT DEMANDED SERIOUS ALTERNATIVE ) By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 7, 5.25 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. May 6 The Paris correspondent of the Times states that the French Ambassador, the Comte de C'hambrun, has been instructed to warn Signor Mussolini against attempting to "grab the.whole of Abyssinia " without accounting for the interests of other Powers or the authority of the League of Nations. The Ambassador has been told to point out that such a course would make it most difficult for the French Government to resist the continued application of sanctions and that the over-riding of French interests in Abvssinia, as outlined in the treaty of 1906, would be regarded as a far from friendly act. IL DUCE. PRAISED GERMAN NEWSPAPERS SWORD IN LIEU OF LEAGUE BERLIN, May 6 The German press is loud in its admiration ,of Signor Mussolini. The Berliner Tageblatt says Signor Mussolini has proclaimed the right of the sivord in place of the League. The Borsen Zeitung says the lesson of the past seven months is that the quick act of /a single individual is more jctive than the deliberations of many. PERIL DURING RIOTS BRITISH AS PROTECTORS FINE EFFORTS EULOGISED LONDON. May G

The Australian Associated Press states that one of the outstanding facts of the recent tense days in Addis Ababa was■the sterling work of the British Minister, Sir Sidney Barton, and the Legation staff. They not only gathered in their own nationals but warded off attacks on the Belgian Legation, succoured Americans, and, indeed, wer6 virtually protectors of the European population. Britain did not appeal to Signor Mussolini to save the Europeans. The only overture came from the French. A band of Shiftas attacked the Belgian Legation and, in response to an urgent appeal for help, Sikhs from the British Legation caught the looters on this rear flank, whereupon the bandits fled British troops guarded the Legation throughout the night and repulsed several attacks. The Shiftas are forming: into' largo organised bands, armed with machine-guns. ' Three babies were born in the French Legation since the rioting began. ' / .

Dr. Junod, who sent a Message imploring aid from the outhouse of a burnt hotel where he had been besieged for 36 hours, was rescued by a party from the British Legation. Messrs. Benjamin and Joseph Martin, sons of the Ethiopian Minister in London, are safe at Wallega. Two daughters are staying with Sir Sidney Barton. INDIAN INFANTRY HEROIC WORK DONE TRIBUTE BY MR. EDEN British Wireless RUGBY, May' 6 The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, in the House of Commons to-day said the House would share the great satisfaction of the Government with the splendid work performed during the emergency in Addis Ababa by the British Legation guard of Indian infantry.

These troops had saved a large number of foreign lives. In no single case an appeal addressed to them in vain. Not only did they protect about 2000 refugees of 23 different nationalities in the Legation compound itself, repelling at least one attack by rioting 'tribesmen, but they ivere able to send detachments to foi'eign missions and help individuals threatened 'bv the mob.

u " I am confident," added Mr. Eden. " that when tke full story is known Major Charteris and the officers and men under him will be found to have upheld worthily the highest traditions of the Indian Army." The Belgian Ambassador called at the Foreign Office to-day to express on behalf of King Leopold and the Belgian Government and people appreciation of the services rendered by the British to the Belgian Legation.

f DIED OF WOUNDS BRITISH SURGEON'S FATE VICTIM OF A LOOTER / British Wireless RUGBY, Mny 6 It is officially announced that Dr. A. J. Melly, the British Red Cross officer who was shot by a looter in Addis Ababa, has died of his wounds at the British Xegation. The news of the death of Dr. Melly has been received with profound regret in England. He was a distinguished surgeon. He left his practice in London In November to proceed to Abyssinia to Tvo/k among the wounded. He was in charge of a unit consisting of five doctors, 24 orderlies and 16 native orderlies.

On one occasion, when the unit was bombed, some patients were killed and three orderlies were injured. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, in the House of Commons to-day expressed the regret of all at Dr. Melly's death. ■ "