SANCTIONS AGAINST ITALY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 9

SANCTIONS AGAINST ITALY

TO OPERATE FROM NOVEMBER 18 i _____ GENEVA COMMITTEE’S DECISION ALL THE BATTLE FRONTS QUIET INVADERS PREPARING TO ADVANCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) GENEVA, November 2. 7 (Received Nov. 3, at 10 p.m.) '7 7 "The Committee of Eighteen decided that sanctions will ‘ operate from . November 18. Those States with favourable credit balances with Italy will be allowed to receive Italian goods in liquidation South Africa proposed at a meeting of the Committee of Eighteen that exports to non-League countries should be limited to the average for the past three years, ensuring the prevention of re-exports of a surplus to Italy. The agreement by the committee followed a discussion, . - protracted far into the nigfrt, when it was decided that all purchases from Italy should cease on November 18. Outstanding debts will be regarded as assets, ultimately recoverable, and it was agreed that nations should assist each other to minimise any damage caused.

THE BATTLE FRONTS RAINS CEASE S IN SOUTH ' ■ . : LONDON, November 1. The rains have ceased on the southern Abyssinian front, resulting in the usual prophecies of. an early Italian advance, but Major Temperley considers that the chances of. a large-scale battle, either north or south, are becoming more and more'.remote. The British United Press Association’s Addis Ababa : correspondent says; A voice from the ranks is that of Clemente Sergo,- the .first Italian deserter from Ogaden. Sergo is a Croat, 23 years of age. He was born at Abbazia, in Istria, which ? is an Austrian province, during the war. “ We Croatians never recognised Italian rule. I wanted to escape . when I was conscripted, as many friends succeeded in doing, but I-was drafted to the front. I left a, supply train in this ;Dolo sector.of Swam Dawa arid sur-, rendered io the Ahyssinians,;. who ai;e no: more afraid of the Italians than the Italians are afraid of them. The Italians in the Dolo area are 10,000 strong. Their morale is good considering the terrific heat, -which renders tanks almost useless. Those boys, will never reach Addis Ababa. I have flown over the terrain, and I know.” he said. " : EMPEROR GOES TO FRONT ADDIS ABABA, November 1: .The Emperor’s approaching departure towards Dessye started an enormous trek thither, the road being thronged With: marching tribesmen, mostly accompanied by their womenfolk, many carrying bedsteads, and others children. f ' Most of the members of the Abyssinian Cabinet are also preparing to go to the front, leaving only minor officials in charge of the capital. ORDERS TO ITALIAN CONSULS DJIBOUTI, November 1. Signor Mussolini has ordered Baron Vinci t° proceed to Massawa, accompanied by- the Consular staff, all joining the Italian forces, Baron Vinci- will have a special appointment with the armies: on account of . his knowledge of Abyssinia-. AMMUNITION FOR ABYSSINIA DJIBOUTI, November 1. Mr Monks, the Sun-Herald correspondent, watched ammunition being unloaded froth a German ship for Abyssinia. Mr Monks adds that he is finding it amusing to listen to the anti-Abyssinian propaganda issued daily from Italian Consuls here,, and being sent to London by newspapermen who know no different. “ It ‘ was given out to-day,” lie said, “ that a Movietone photographer had been speared to death in Addis Ababa on Friday. The Consul’s face was a picture, when I told him that the man mentioned saw me off at the station on Saturday.” ... CONFERENCES AT GENEVA OPERATION OF SANCTIONS LONDON, November 1. -- Immediately Sir Samuel Hoare arrived at Geneva . he conferred with Captain Eden; and later both visited M. Laval. If is understood that they insisted on the early operation of sanctions, whatever steps are taken to continue. The Daily 'Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent says it was announced early this-morning that November 14 or 15 would be definitely fixed for the full imposition of economic sanctions against Italy whether or not countries have balances outstanding in their favour. BRITAIN AND FRANCE (British Offlcial Wireless) RUGBY, November 1. Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Laval had conversations at. Geneva to-day. It is understood in League circles that the fullest agreement was reached on the collaboration of the two Governments, both in the application of measures in fulfilment of their obligations under Article 10 and in search of a solution of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict by way of an agreed settlement between the parties in conformity with the principles of the League. It is anticipated that a statement' will be made tomorrow" regarding the efforts in which both Governments have already been associated to find a basis of negotiation, and which so far have failed to produce pseful or Jrofeful i

Meantime the Financial and Legal Economic Sub-committees have been studying the reservations made by the several Governments in connection with the Co-ordination Committee’s recommendation of the prohibition of imports from Italy by the League Powers. It is hoped if may be possible to-morrow for the Co-ordination Committee, which will act on the report of the Committee of Eighteen, to appoint a date for the putting of this recommendation into execution by the League States in concert. November 15 is freely mentioned as likely to be the date suggested by the Co-Ordination Committee, which might meet again some time after that date to consider how far the measures already undertaken were proving effective in shortening the war in East Africa, and whether any further measures should be recommended to the Governments of the Covenant-enforc-ing States. According to a Geneva message Austria, Albania, Hungary, and the Dominican Republic are the only countries which have not yet replied to the League of Nations regarding the imposition of sanctions against Italy. , • j JOINT STATEMENT EXPECTED : ■' ' LONDON, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 9 p.m.)' The Daily Mail’s Geneva correspondent says:—-“A joint Anglo-French statement is expected to be issued to-night covering the attitude of the two countries towards the present situation, especially regarding the Mediterranean. It will, it is stated, also make clear the AngloFrench unanimity concerning the necessity for the application of sanctions now and for prompt conciliation negotiations aiming at ultimate peace.” The Daily,Mail adds: “It has always been known that the application of sanctions, even on a purely financial and economic scale, would entail the gravest of risks.” The Times Geneva correspondent indicates that new British efforts are afoot to find a solution of the.eternal FrancoGerman quarrel and points out that when the present measures against Italy were decided upon the. league’s secretary.general circularised, non-member States asking their comment. The German reply has not yet been received but it is expected to express willingness effectively to participate in collective action. Such willingness could only mean that Germany is ready to redirect her steps towards Geneva, hut at a price. The correspondent suggests that the price may take the form of new assurances of security in Europe with Britain’s moral guarantee. FRENCH PEACE EFFORTS FAIL LONDON, November 1. (Received Nov. 3, at 5.5 p.m.) The Geneva correspondent of The Times says: “ M. Laval undoubtedly informed Baron Alois! that there was no immediate prospect of a change regarding a settlement unless the initiative came from Rome. M. Laval last week pointed out that the Italians had their last chance before the application of sanctions. There was no reason to withdraw that statement now. Thus Baron Alois! will go home empty-handed, although he may be assured that France and Britain are not vindictive and do not desire to humiliate Italy. Baron Aloisi .will see Sir Samuel Hoare in the morning. He may be able to give him the Italian intentions regarding adequate and genuine reductions of the forces in Libya.” The British United Press Association’s Geneva correspondent says: “ Baron Aloisi told Italian journalists that the French attempt to make peace had failed, which is understood to refer _to the outcome of the recuit Franco-British discussions. M. Laval informed French pressmen that there was no chance of a settlement before the British elections.” COMMITTEE OF EIGHTEEN LONDON, November 1. (Received Nov. 3, at 5.5 p.m.) The British United Press Geneva correspondent says the Committee of Eighteen reached a deadlock when considering the problem of a boycott of Italian exports and an embargo on key products to Italy without imperilling Italy’s “ frozen credits,” aggregating £6,000,000. Senor Portoseguro, a Chilean delegate, pointed out that Chile had completed the 1935 shipments of nitrates to Italy and now awaited compensatory shipments of Italian products while the embargo was cut off. M. Titulescu said he dare not return to Rumania without compensation for the £2,000,000 due from Italy. The committee appointed a sub-com-mittee consisting of delegates from England, France, Spain, Jugoslavia, Rumania and Greece to attempt to solve the problem. There was another hitch due to Argentina announcing that an embargo on Italian goods was impossible without Parliamentary legislation.

CLERGY’S INSTRUCTIONS LONDON, November 1. Political opinion in Italy is simultaneously hardening and is unanimous not to yield to intimidation. Even the ecclesiastical authorities have instructed clergy throughout Italy to encourage the spirit of resistance among their parishioners. The Government has ordered the press to pillory tradesmen charging excessive prices. Count jMisurata, president of the Confederation of Industrialists, reported to Signor that he has a plan “efficiently to discipline” cotton, jute, iron, steel, food, oil, shipping, and other industries with a view to obtaining the most economical maximum production independent of foreign materials. THE ITALIAN DEATHS ROME, November 1. A communique states that Italian deaths in East Africa since January 1 total only 193, of which 160 occurred before September 1. Five have been killed in battle since September 30. AN UNOFFICIAL REPORT ADDIS ABABA, November 1. It is unofficially announced that the Italians have captured Makale. HOSTILITY TO BRITAIN ROME, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 10 p.m.) Anti-British demonstrations continue. Students painted with black enamel the British royal coats of arms on the window of a well-known chemist’s shop and plastered the front of an English jeweller’s with posters, “ Buy Italian goods and be proud of them.” They smashed the windows of tailors displaying “ British cloth.” English signs are everywhere hurriedly being taken down and shopkeepers are hastening to give displays an all-Italian aspect. The Hotel London now calls itself Hotel Adowa. Carabinieri and plain clothes detectives are guarding the British Embassy. Public hostility to France _ is also growing. Dressmakers and milliners are removing the names of Parisian firms from new French models, which arc now masquerading as Italian. Forty-six passenger trains over the more important Italian State railways will cease to run after November (3 in compliance with Signor Mussolini’s decree enforcing fuel economies. Other train services arc gradually being reduced. SIR SAMUEL HOARE’S PROTEST LONDON, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 10 p.m.) Sir Samuel Hoare conferred with Baron Aloisi for an hour. He emphasised that Britain was anxious for a settlement as soon as possible, but there was no question of negotiating over the head of the Emperor. Sir Samuel strongly protested against the anti-Bri-tish campaign and said he would welcome steps to lessen' the tension. He suggested that Italy should withdraw at least 30,000 troops from Libya. Both parties agreed to continue to search for a basis for a settlement. T' Committee of Fifty-two also passed a resolution asking all League members to apply financial sanctions against Italy on November 18 at the latest. M. Laval declared that France would continue friendly efforts towards peace. Any settlement must be within the League’s framework. Sir Samuel Hoare said the new committee would . before November 18 examine cases requiring special treatment. He emphasised that it was with regret that tiie League was forced to take anti-Italian action, but collective measures were inevitable to enable the League to retain its influence. “ Our object is to shorten the war, which we believe our action will achieve.” He added that the recent diplomatic exchanges were merely tentative suggestions, of which there was at present no outcome. A Canadian proposal for an extension of the embargo to coal, iron and steel was referred to the Economic Sub-com-mittee. The Delegates Committee of Eighteen carried on its deliberations in a very tense atmosphere and bitterly attacked Switzerland’s enforcement of arms embargo on both combatants. Van Zeeland, the Belgian Premier, suggested that a mandate be given to Britain and Prance to seek a settlement under the aegis of the League. Other speakers declared that sanctions would demand general sacrifices, but would not be too high a price to pay for realisation of the League’s solidarity aud indivisibility for peace. The subcommittees will consider the Canadian and South African proposals and problems arising out of sanctions. They will report to the Committee of Eighteen on November 6, AN APPEAL TO AMERICA ROME, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 10 p.m.) Marcbese Marconi, broadcasting to America, appealed to the American people to recognise the justice of the Italian cause aud emphasised the danger

friendship for Italy and speak out with the same loyalty and courage with which Italy is defending her interests and aims, and with the same clearness which, it is ironically said, is revealed in acts of British policy.” ITALIANS TO PUSH SOUTH LONDON, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 11 p.m.) The British United Press Rome correspondent says it has been authoritatively stated that General de Bono’s armies will push south at dawn on November 3 on a front of 50 miles. Correspondents at Asmara state that Gougsa, with 1600 followers, is leading the advance to Makale. Gougsa is most impatient to push on owing to rumours that Ras Seyoum has sacked his palace. On the contrary, the Abyssinians are eager to capture Gougsa, on whose head there is a reward of £2500. If taken he is threatened with various fates from hanging to burning alive. MORALE OF ITALIAN TROOPS ADDIS ABABA, November 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 11 p.m.) An Italian deserter declares that the morale of General de Bono’s troops is suffering owing to a plague of flies and mosquitoes, a lack of water, and fear of the fierce Danikils, who are raiding at night time, killing sentries, penetrating the lines, and slaughtering sleepers round the campfires. FINANCE FOR ABYSSINIA LONDON, November 2. (Received Nov. 3. at 11 p.m.) Abyssinia sent a Note to the League appealing, for financial assistance, recalling that the Assembly in 1930 approved of a draft international convention for members of the League to assist a co-member in the event of a threat of war.

of sanctions and the world economic disorders they would inevitably produce, while they could not deflect Italy from her course. Signor Mussolini has summoned the Grand Fascist Council to meet in Rome on November 16, when he is expected to make an important declaration of policy. It is believed he may then announce Italy’s withdrawal from the League. BRITAIN’S “ HYPOCRISY ” LONDON, November 1. (Received Nov. 3, at II p.m.) The Times Rome correspondent says: “Mr Baldwin’s friendly references to Italy are sarcastically rejected by most Italians and the newspapers, with increasing vehemence, are declaring them smoke screens whereby the Government is seeking to conceal its Imperialistic designs on Abyssinia and crush Italian expansion. The British Government, therefore, is begged to drop once and for all its 'hypocritical’ references to