PROTESTS LIKELY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23012, 13 April 1938, Page 15

PROTESTS LIKELY

ABYSSINIAN CONQUEST QUESTION OF RECOGNITION MOVEMENT BY BRITAIN LEAGUE ASPECT RAISED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 12, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 12 In the opinion of the Geneva correspondent of the Times, Britain's movement for the recognition of Abyssinia is likely to encounter opposition from the Chinese and Soviet Governments, also from the Central American States, especially in view of the Stimson declaration, which provides for non-recognition of any situation created by force. A question also being raised is whether the Council of the League or this Assembly is the proper body to take the initiative in the matter. The Daily Herald's diplomatic correspondent points out that any resolution releasing member States from their obligations not to recognise the Abyssinian annexation must be unanimous, otherwise it will be invalid

SUPPORT BY FRANCE RELATIONS WITH ITALY STRAIGHTENING OUT WANTED (Received April 13, 12.5 a.m.) PARIS. April 12 The French press agrees that France will support Britain's request for the recognition of Italy's sovereignty in Abyssinia. It is considered time that the relations between Italy and France were straightened out. It is felt that France should be represented in Borne during Herr Hitler's visit. NOTE TO THE LEAGUE A SETTLEMENT WANTED GENEVA,. April 11 Britain has sent a Note to the League of Nations asking that the question of Abyssinia be settled at the meeting of the League Council on May 1. A member of the Ethiopian Legation staff stated that Haili Selassie is surprised at the news of Britain's action regarding recognition of the Italian conquest. He is examining the question closely.

CONTROL BY ITALIANS

ONLY LOCAL RESISTANCE (Received April 12, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. April 11 Answering a question in the House of Commons on the state of Abyssinia. Mr. It., A. Butler, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said: "There appears to be no appreciable change in the situation in Abyssinia since Sir John Simon replied to similar questions on February 2J • "My information is that the Italian authorities are in military control virtually of the whole country. Resistance to Italian authority appears to be unorganised aiul of a local character, and to be confined to Western Abyssinia.

"On the frontiers of Abyssinia the situation is normal and the status quo has been maintained."