CALL TO PATRIOTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18763, 20 July 1935, Page 5

CALL TO PATRIOTS

DEFENCE OF ABYSSINIA EMPEROR RAISES APPEAL MUSSOLINI ACCUSED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received July 20, 11.30 a.m.) ADDIS* ABABA, July 19. “He wliti dies for his country is a happy man,” declared the Emperor of Abyssinia after a review of his troops-, in ait appeal to young and old, men and women, to unite against tin: invader. He added: “It is better In die free than live as slaves, Signor Mussolini has declared that Italy i.s on a civilising mission. He wants to exclude a peaceful solution, lie wants a bloody settlement of the old A down affair.

Signor Mussolini is aiming l to maintain the morale of the troops in J.-fiisl Africa by increasing the pay of privates, who are receiving Is 8d daily compared with one and three-fifths pence in Italy. Corporals receive 2s and corporalmajors 2s -J*i. In iSoiuuliland the troops .will receive an additional -Id each and also increased rations’and improved postal services.

SITUATION SURVEYED NEWSPAPER COMMENT ALL OVER BAR FIGHTING LONDON, July IC. Although Mr. Vernon Bartlett, diplomatic correspondent of the Newsl luoniric, declines that the Abyssinian crisis is “ail over bar fighting,” the press on the whole takes a restrained view of the position, and by no means gives up iiope that a settlement will be readied.

The only important editorial comment this morning is that of the Daily Herald, which slates that all the indications arc (hat Signor Mussolini has made up his mind to strike iininediatelv.

Factors against the immediate commencement of hostilities arc the weather conditions and Italy's incomplete preparations. it is stated that drinking water is scarce, and that it. will take several months for the white and black talior corps to make tile eoinmumoalions adequate for Die transpCji-t, of large masses of material and men to the Abyssinian frontier.

On the other hand, il is suggested that a declaration of war or a warlike act would clear the situation. “It would prevent the meeting of the League Council on July 25 to appoint a fifth arbitrator. Once lialv lias actually gone to war tho League would face the choice of applying sanctions or doing nothing. Mussolini is sure, that France would never agree to the application of sanctions. France is increasingly realising the effects of the League’s failure.” Discussing the possibilities of reaching a settlement apart from sanctions, ilie most, significant forecast at present is the suggestion of. the Times that the existing treaties between States which are neighbors of Abyssinia provide the approach to a friendly agreed settlement. This is now being explored. Tile new line of approach may bo the reconsideration of Abyssinia’s international status — in other words, can France and Great Britain restrain Italy In' sharing a measure of control of Abyssinia with her? lnltuential men in Great Britain are urging the application of Article 19 of the League covenant, pointing out that the argument for giving Italy a protectorate or mandate over Abyssinia with clearly defined rights and obligations, and for- advising Abyssinia to accept some such arrangement, clearly arises from conditions which this article contemplated.

INTEREST OF JAPAN CANNOT BE UNCONCERNED (Received July 20, 11 a.m.) TOKYO. July 19. The Foreign Minister lias announced that Japan is .specially interested in Abyssinia economically and could not remain unconcerned in the possibility of war. Statements that Japan had assured .Signor Mussolini that she would not interfere in Abyssinia officially are denied. ATTITUDE OF FRANCE WILL NOT RISK HARMONY LONDON.. July 18. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent says that France considers whatever the rights ami wrongs of the Jlalo-Abys-sinian dispute, the whole problem is ot secondary importance compared with the European situation, for a satisfactory solution of which co-operation with Italy is essential to France, especially regarding the Austrian problem. France will not therefore consent to risk her friendship with Italy on account of Abyssinia, though the question of the League principle is involved. Abyssinia's conquest by Italy, in the French view, would he a lesser blow to the League than the Italian exit from Geneva.

Captain Jinan Wallace, speaking at. Malton, declared that, the Government did not intend to he the League’s sole policeman. Jt was not going to he stampeded by belligerent pacifists into aggressiveness’ regarding the italo-Abyssinian dispute.

IN THE EVENT OF WAR

ITALY’S PROSPECTS LONDON, July 11 humming l up Italy’s chances in the event of war. the military correspondent et the Times considers that it ISignoi .Mussolini limited his aim to annexing portion of southern Abyssinia he would not fie likely to meet, with serious op position. His present attitude, however, suggests lh.it be aims at conquering the entire country, which may have unfortunate military and political results. An air attack would not be likely to he effective as Addis Ababa is 400 miles from the Italiam bases and 8000 H. above sea level. The air problem probably would diminish as the land forces ad vuneed, hut the military problems would become more acute. The Abyssinians have only 40,000 regular troops, but levies totalling more than 500,000 miuht be. available foi guerilla warfare if the miracle of keeping! them supplied could be achieved.

The Abyssinian artillery includes only three batteries of “75’s” and 300 machine-guns. Modern armament would give the, Italian forces a fighting value much greater than that represented by their actual numbers.