CLIPPING MUSSOLINI’S WINGS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13182, 14 February 1936, Page 5

CLIPPING MUSSOLINI’S WINGS.

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AGAINST ITALY

OIL COMMITTEE S REPORT COMPLETED.

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

RUGBY, February 12

The report of the Committee of Experts who have been studying the effectiveness of oil sanctions at Geneva was signed this afternoon and is being communicated immediately to the Governments of the sanctions-enforcing States. Attached to the report, which summarises the findings of the experts, are three reports of sub-committees on the consumption and supply of petrol subsitutes and transport.

According to Press telegrams from Geneva, it is understood that the Committee finds that the period which would need, to elapse before an embargo on oil exports- to Italy, were it to be universally applied, would become effective may be taken to be about three months or three and a-half months. In the event of such an embargo being applied by all the States members of the Coordination Committee, it would be effective if the United States were to limit exports to Italy to the normal level of exports prior to 1935. Without the co-operation of the United States an embargo by the League States would lead only to rendering the purchase of petrol by Italy more difficult and expensive. In view of the possibility of substitutes being used to some extent, the Committee is believed to recommend an extension of the embargo to alcohol and benzol.

Oil the subject of transport the experts are understood to have found that were the present sanctions-en-forcing States alone to prohibit the use of tankers for the transport of oil to Italy she would probably he able to satisfy her needs from he* own shipping resources up to about half, and the rest by means of vessels of uon-League States. But she would secure the necessary bunkerage with greater difficulty and at great' er expense.

AMERICAN PARTICIPATION LONDON, February 13. The Morning Post says the report shows that the real effectiveness of the embargo will depend, firstly, on the complete co-operation of the United States; and secondly, on the complete co-operation of all States who arc* members of the League. Regarding the supply, transport and delivery of substitutes, it is already clear that neither of these conditions can be fulfilled.

The abandonment of the Neutrality Bill rules out the United States co-operation. The report emphasises that oil products available for export from* the United States greatly exceed Italy’s probable demands. It also points out that far more ocean transport,, than Italy might need is available from tanker tonnage owned by the United States and Germany. The Comm itte of Eighteen, which will decide whether or not to impose oil sanctions, is not expected to meet before March 2. Meanwhile the report is being sent to all the Governments represented on the Co-or-dination Committee, also to certain non-member States, including the Un i ted States. Iffie Daily Mail's Rome correspondent- says it is asserted the League's experts grossly exaggerated the quantities of oil used by the Italian forces in East Africa—the experts estimate it at between 20,000 and 30,000 tons monthly. It therefore fellows that they have greatly underestimated the length of time Italy’s existing, stocks will hold out. These are said to be ample for the army, navy and air force’s needs until the end of the campaign.

NO TANKERS FOR ITALY. LONDON, February 12 l'he League of Nations Ail Committee considers that if the member States alone prohibited tankers transporting oil to Italy she could supply half her needs from her own resources and the remainder with more difficulty with vessels of non-member States. The most practical form of embargo would be a prohibition of tankers going to Italy, and prevention of the sale of tankers to States not participating in the embargo. M. Flandin stated that France is not directly concerned in, the production and transport of oil. She will conform with the League’s decisions.