DUM-DUM BULLETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22424, 21 May 1936, Page 11

DUM-DUM BULLETS

ITALIAN ALLEGATIONS REPETITION IN PRESS PROOFS OF TRUTH CLAIMED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 20. 9.35 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. May 19 According to the Rome correspondent of the Times, the statement made in the House of Commons yesterday by Mr. Eden denying the truth of Italian allegations that British firms had supplied the Abyssinians with dum-dum bullets has been published in the press with comments expressing complete incredulity. It is pointed out authoritatively that two Italian memoranda have been presented to the League of Nations in connection with the Abvssinians' use of dum-dum bullets. One was general and the other specific. The reason wliv the latter has been withdrawn is simply because it is incomplete. The Italians say they have proofs that the statements already made about dum-dum bullets are true. COUNTER-CHARGE MADE USE BY THE IJALIANS STATEMENT BY A DOCTOR LONDON. May 19 The revelations made yesterday by Mr. Eden concerning the Italian agent's fraud in connection with the dum-dum bullets allegations find a counter-charge in a statement by Dr. Winckel, head of the Dutch Red Cross. He asserts that the Italians definitely used dum-dum bullets in Abyssinia. His ambulance unit treated hundreds of Abyssinians wounded by these bullets. Dr. Winckel confirms the fact that poison gas demoralised the Abyssinians, who behaved like frightened children. EFFECT OF SANCTIONS ITALIAN REVENUE SUFFERS MINISTER'S OPTIMISM (Received May 20, 8.35 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. May 20 The Rome correspondent of the Times states that the Minister of Finance, Count Thaon de Revel, speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, admitted that sanctions had cut notably into certain sources of revenue. Nevertheless, he claimed that the country's finances remained sound and healthy and that, subject to strict discipline and control, Italy would find means to equip her economy, develop her colonies and defend her future. The Minister added: "The moment is not ripe yet to divulge the cost of the Abyssinian war, but the expenditure has been kept within the limits foreseen by the Government, and it has been relatively economical in proportion to the great results obtained." Extraordinary expenditure would be required still for "indispensable police operations," but it would be much less than would have been necessitated by a continuance of the war.