BITTER REPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23036, 13 May 1938, Page 9

BITTER REPLY

LEAGUE'S BETRAYAL

EX-EMPEROR'S ADDRESS THE COVENANT TORN UP ASSEMBLY MEETING DEMANDED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received May 13, 1.20 a.m.) GENEVA, May 12 Haili Selassie made no sign during Lord Halifax's speech to the League Council, but sat motionless with his eyes closed. At the end he rose slowly and said: "Although recovering from an illness, I decided to appear personally before the Council to defend my people's cause." He then asked permission for Taezez to read his speech.

In the address the ex-Emperor declared that although victims of aggression put their confidence in the League they had the misfortune of seeing the nations refuse to honour their commitments and treaties of non-aggression. The League Covenant had been torn up by powerful nations, who simultaneously proclaimed their attachment to the Covenant. Haili Selassie rejected Lord Halifax's contention that recognition of the Italian conquest would help in appeasement. He said the League had to choose between the maintenance of peace by law and peace at any price. Britain was asking the Council to tear up instruments that had been designed to protect small States. The speech cited various provinces where the Italians were not in control, and dramatically denied the right of the Council to decide the question, demanding a meeting of the League Assembly. ! "Currying Favour with Italy" Replying directly to Lord Halifax, the ex-Emperor's speech declared it was completely contrary to the Covenant to sacrifice ono people to assure the tranquillity of others. "It appears the nations are violating their commitments with the object of currying favour with Italy, who in spito of li?r enormous expenditure is unable to exploit Abyssinia," he said. .. "Abyssinia will accept any just settlement proposed by the League, but if my appeal is not answered, implacable guerrilla warfare will continue against Italy until either the Italians evacuate the country, or the Abyssinian people are exterminated." In contrast to their usual listlessness, members of tho Council listened to the Abyssinians with the closest attention and watched the ex-Emperor intently. A delegate from an East European country was heard to say: "I do not know whether to laugh, cry or be sick. I think I am going to be sick." France Supports Britain

M. Bonnet, French Foreign Minister, said he supported the British initiative because he was convinced that all possible had been done. He agreed that in order to re-establish confidence in Europe it was necessary to face facts. M. Litvinoff (Russia) said: "Britain has a right to settle the Abyssinian affair for herself, but the League as a collective body has not withdraw n its condemnation of tho aggressor. Nothing will so weaken international law as to recognise his conquest. Uhere is no reason for the League's existence if it neglects its own principles." The Council adjourned. The ex-Emperor walked out slowly, bowing imperceptibly to his left and right. The others stood aside to give him free exit.

CHIEFTAINS' HOMAGE ITALIAN RULE EXTOLLED THE AFRICAN COLONIES (Received May 12, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, May 12 Fifty chiefs and notables in striking native garb, representing the Italian Empire in Libya, Somaliland and Abyssinia, paid homage to King Victor Emmanuel and Signor Mussolini. The Abyssinian leaders extolled the benefits of Italian rule. NO BRITISH SUPPORT PROPOSED INVESTIGATION (Received May 12, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 11 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, said in the House of Commons to-day that the British Government was not prepared to support a proposal for international investigation into the situation in Ethiopia. He was replying to a question alleging that a large part of the country was not under Italian military control.