FURTHER AIR RAIDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 9

FURTHER AIR RAIDS

ROME, December 9

A communique says: A flying officer was killed when Abyssinian troops fired on Italian planes from the Somaliland front, which Were attacking troops between Filta and Negelle, north-west of Dolo. The machines, after bombing an enemy encampment, returned to their base. EFFORTS TOWARDS PEACE THE PARIS DISCUSSIONS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 9. The formulas of the proposed basis for negotiating a settlement of the ItaloAbyssinian dispute reached as the result of the conversations between Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Laval will be examined to-day by the British Cabinet. A full account of the week-end discussion and the resultant recommendations was brought to London by Mr Maurice Peterson, British Foreign. Office expert, who has been engaged in preliminary consultations with the experts of the French Foreign Office in Paris. The British Government's decision in regard to the plan will at once be conveyed to Paris. If it indicates approval, the formulas will be placed before Signor Mussolini in the name of both the French and British Governments at the earliest possible moment. They will also be submitted to the Emperor of Abyssinia, and steps will be taken to ascertain whether a settlement on the lines projected would have the approval of the League of Nations. GENEVA NOT ENTHUSIASTIC GENEVA, December 9. The reported terms of the tentative peace plan are coldly received as the offer to Italy is more than the Committee of Five was prepared to concede in September before Italy was named as the aggressor. The smaller. Powers and Russia are unlikely to agree to anything rewarding Italy's defiance of the League. It is pointed out that Italy will "obtain half of Abyssinia—double the amount of territory the British originally agreed to yield. The rest of Abyssinia. would virtually be a League protectorate. BRITAIN'S CHANGED ATTITUDE ROME, December 9. The spokesman declared that Italy had no use for deserts like Ogaden and Danakil. Well-informed circles, however, welcome Britain's change of attitude, which they declare is due to the realisation that there is no hope of coercing Italy, whose co-operation she desires at the Naval Conference. Britain is also apprehensive regarding Egypt and the Far East. ITALIAN SENATE MEETS ROME, December 9. Despite tense excitement among senators and the presence of the Crown Prince and four Royal dukes in the galleries, Signor Mussolini disappointed those who expected an important pronouncement. He spoke for only two minutes, merely thanking the Senate for its resolution that the Italian people had not before placed such faith in II Duce, who interpreted the will of the entire nation. Signor Mussolini added: "I can assure you that Italy's African and European interests will be strenuously defended." He sat down amid thunderous applause. The Government news broadcast significantly referred to the Paris proposals, stating that it was believed that Signor Mussolini would soon instruct; Baron Aloisi to go to Geneva. Official quarters in Paris believe that the latest proposals are satisfactory to Italy. BRITISH CABINET MEETS LONDON, December 9. (Received Dec. 10, at 9.30 p.m.) The Cabinet sat for 90 minutes and it is believed that it endorsed the proposals outlined by Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Laval, which have still not been disclosed officially. It is now confidently expected that the British and French formula is very different from what so far has been/rumoured. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent understands that the terms embody limited rectification of the ItaloAbyssinian frontier, including only part of the Tigre where the Italians obtained a footing, which the Abyssinians have no means of shaking. Britain 'and France also proposed the formation of an Italian chartered company to develop fertile tracts on the Kenya border, near Lake Rudolph. The Times Addis Ababa coi respondent says officials express the opinion that it is extremely improbable that the Emperor, after his previous statements, will cede an inch of the Tigre, but concessions in Ogaden are possible. OPTIMISM GROWING IN ROME ROME, December 9. (Received Dec. 10, at 9.00 p.m.) Optimism is growing with regard to the proposals, Signor Mussolini's spokesman saying that signs of goodwill were evident everywhere.