ARBITRAMENT OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22629, 22 July 1935, Page 9

ARBITRAMENT OF WAR

ITALIAN PREPARATIONS ABYSSINIAN EMPEROR'S APPEAL ATTITUDE OF JAPAN (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, July 30. The Rome correspondent of The Times says: General Grazioli, reporting to Signor Mussolini on the militarisation of Italy, announced that 40,000 instructors were training half a million youths. Every commune was providing special grounds for exercises. DEATH FOR THEIR COUNTRY A CALL FOR SACRIFICE ADDIS ABABA, July 19. "He who dies for his country is a happy man," declared the Emperor, after a review of his troops in an appeal to young and old men and women to unite against the invader. He added: " It is better to die free than to live as slaves. Signor Mussolini has declared that Italy is on a civilising mission. He wants to exclude a peaceful solution. He wants a bloody settlement of the old Adowa affair."

PREVIOUS REPORT DENIED JAPAN INTERESTED IN ABYSSINIA TOKIO, July 19. The Foreign Minister announced that Japan was specially interested in Abyssinia, economically and could not remain unconcerned in the possibility of wari The statements that Japan had assured Signor Mussolini that she would not interfere in Abyssinia were officially denied. - STRIVING FOR PEACE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND BRITISH GOVERNMENT (British Official Wireless.) ' RUGBY, July 19. The Secretary-general of the League of Nations (M. Avenol) has now concluded his visit to Paris, where discussions with French Ministers took place. M. Avenol will return to Paris on Monday, when it is assumed that he will be/informed of the latest results of the diplomatic consultations. The newspapers state that the arguments addressed by the League to Rome are urging the desirability of efforts being made by Signor Mussolini to use the League of Nations' machinery for putting forward Italy's case against Abyssinia, which has not yet been officially formulated in public. The British Government continues its activity through diplomatic exchanges in Rome and Paris in efforts to discover means for a direct and peaceful settlement of the Italo-Ethiopian dispute. These efforts will certainly be continued until success is achieved or until the matter comes before the League Council. In the latter event it is hoped that Italy, as well as Abyssinia, will be prepared to submit a full and frank statement in order that the Council shall be fully informed upon all the facts of the case Members of the Council have been asked to hold themselves in readiness to attend the meeting, which may be summoned about the end of the month. STATEMENT BY EMPEROR SELLASSIE WILL DEFEND HIS COUNTRY ARMS EMBARGO CRITICISED ADDIS ABABA. July 20. (Received July 21, at 6.50 p.m.) " Italy is seeking a pretext to initiate a campaign of vilification with a view *o the eventual conquest." declared the Emperor of Abyssinia in the course of a special statement. " Thus far Italy has found nothing better than a drunken brawl between the native employees of a commercial agency and the local police which is misrepresented as a grave international incident. Recognising that her military preparations are unjustifiable, morally and judicially, Italy seeks to justify her refusal to execute international engagements by denouncing us as savages, yet herself is resorting to the most savage methods of all. She is also seeking to create dissension between our races and religions, which were never more united. We categorically announce that we will not accept a solution involving an Italian or any other protectorate or. mandate. The issue is between a small nation whose attitude is pacific but which is resolved to defend her territorial integrity and political independence which members of the League are under an obligation to safeguard, against a great nation avowing preference for a glorious war and cynically urging the necessity for expansion." The Emperor protests against the arbitrary application of an arms embargo helping a stronger nation, which Is counter to all concepts of modern civilisation. He adds that he awaits confidently the League's decisions. SIGNOR MUSSOLINI ANNOYED ROME. July 20. (Received July 21. at fi.so p.m.) Signor Mussolini is incensed at the Emneror's speech. He considers it is warlike and he has instructed his Minister at Addis Ababa to protest strongly. It is semi-officially announced that the Azione colonials admit 70 deaths by sun'stroke among the Italian forces.

The Emperor, in an exclusive interview, said he acknowledged the value of the 1906 treaty as an instrument of pacification, but Britain was the only co-signatory which now mentioned its application, and in face of Signor Mussolini's actions it seemed valueless. If Italy's argument for conquest of Abyssinia was civilisation, slavery was not limited to Abyssinia, but flourished in Tripoli and Eritrea, which Italians could not deny. The treaty of 10H1 allowed Abyssinia to import arms in order to maintain her impendence, but she could not do so if Italy was allowed to send munitions while Abyssinian licenses were withheld. SANDBAGS FOR BRITISH LEGATION WAR BELIEVED INEVITABLE CAIRO, July 20. (Received July 21, at 6.50 p.m.) A million sandbags have been despatched to Addis Ababa to protect the British Legation in the event of war, which Egypt believes inevitable.