THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1935. ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22498, 16 February 1935, Page 12

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1935. ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

Unfortunately the diplomatic discussion of which the Italo-Abyssinian dispute has already been the subject has not prevented further development of the frontier trouble in such a way as to accentuate the tension between the two countries. Italy has mobilised two divisions as a precautionary measure and has sent warning to the Abyssinian Government that the “new provocation” has created a tense situation. Representatives of the League Council, acting in a mediatory capacity some weeks ago, secured an assurance, it was then reported, that Italy and Abyssinia would undertake friendly negotiations pending the meeting of the Geneva body in May. The disputants have placed before the League Council different versions of what has been occurring. They both claim to be suffering serious provocation. According to the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at the Ethiopian capital, the disposition of the warlike Abyssinian tribes is at variance with the conciliatory policy of the Emperor. But, if the trouble is to be amicably settled, the exercise of restraint by both parties in the disputed territory is of the first importance. If Italy believes that she can overawe the Abyssinians by a threat to send troops to enforce her claims, she is probably mistaken. Abyssinia can apparently bring very large forces to her defence, armed with modem weapons save for tanks and aeroplanes. A conflict in such circumstances would be a very serious , affair, the more deplorable because both countries are members of the League of Nations. Appearances suggest that it is in Italy’s power particular to contribute to the avoidance of anything of the kind. She challenged the Abyssinian assertion that she was the aggressor in the first instance, but her refusal to agree to arbitration at an early stage of the trouble was certainly not calculated to strengthen her case in neutral eyes, or to conduce to the avoidance of further untoward developments. As a matter of fact, under the Italo-Abyssinian Treaty of 1928 both countries are pledged to submit to a procedure of conciliation or arbitration any questions arising between them which it has not been possible to settle by the usual diplomatic means. The root cause of the dispute seems to lie in the fact that the frontier between Italian and Abyssinian Somaliland has never been properly defined. Italy claims that Ual Ual, an oasis near the border, which has been in Italian occupation

for some time past, is forty miles within her territory, while Abyssinia claims that it is sixty-two miles within hers. The dispute is a matter of concern to the British Government because there is British territory on three sides of Ethiopia, and both Britain and France are under treaty obligation to do their best to maintain the integrity of Abyssinia. Thus far the Abyssinian Government has apparently not made an appeal to any definite article of the League Covenant, but the situation may not be adjustable without some assistance from the League Council. Possibly the appointment by it of an impartial commission for the definition of the frontiers will commend itself as. the best means of removing the causes of dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. Signor Mussolini was reported to be demanding Abyssinia's agreement to such a proposal, but to be coupling it with other demands ’ of a kind to which Abyssinia would not be likely to accede. A statement by Sir John Simon in the House of Commons, while indicating that Italy has reserved the right to seek reparations, has been reassuring, however, in respect of the attitude of both the Italian and Abyssinian Governments in that they are alike credited with a distinct desire to effect an amicable settlement by direct negotiation. If both Signor Mussolini and the Emperor of Ethiopia are anxious to settle this dispute in a conciliatory spirit, and quietude can be maintained on the frontier in the meantime, a satisfactory issue should not be impossible.