RETREAT RUMORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18817, 21 September 1935, Page 6

RETREAT RUMORS

ATTITUDE OF FRANCE DISLIKE OF SANCTIONS IMPORTANCE TO BRITAIN POSSIBLE LONE HAND (Elec. Tel. Oopjri'ffht— United Press AsSn.) (Received Sept. 21, 1,-15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. The Sun-Herald News Service, commenting further on the Ital.o-Abys-siiiian dispute, suggests it is clear that tiho French are endeavoring to retreat from the possibility of imposing sanctions which practically the whole of to-day’s press, from the influential Le Temps, and the Journals des Debats downwards, oppose, French wihtdrawa.l from sanctions would, leave Britain in an unenviable quandary, and the position .might so be manoeuvred that she would be compelled to .adopt a lone-handed course in defending the Mediterranean, especially Egypt, contrary to the Government policy of adhering to only collective security.

Whitehall again insists that Britain has no quarrel with Italy and that the concentration of warships, troops and aeroplanes in the Mediterranean is solely in conformity With the obligations of the League, .•and - in, proving that Britain’s words at Gerieva wcVo no; empty.

The. Associated Press’ special Geneva correspondent: says-that British circles do not confirm the rumors from Rome thiil- Signor Mussolini is tentatively prepared to accept the conciliation committee’s proposals for a basis of negotiation.

The movements of the chief actors do not indicate a prompr reply, inasmuch as M. Laval and M. Harriot nre going to Paris for the week-end, (hough Mr Anthony Eden and all other committeemen are remaining at Geneva. M. Lager will deputise for M. Laval if it is necessary to summon the committee.

,\f. Laval saw Baron Alois! this morning before meeting Mr Eden, with whom 'he had a satisfactory hour’s conversation.

There now seems no doubt, however, teat a grave situation develops, though there is no divergence of the fundamental Franco-B.ritish views in regard to the defence of the covenant.

Il is officially denied that Italy protested to Britain against the fleet movements in the Mediterranean.

The Assembly cannot conclude its business; in any event, before September 28.

Cabinet meetings at Paris and Rome on Saturday are expected to lead to important. developments. Signor Mussolini may announce new economic measures. Roman circles see the possibility of his accepting the League -peaco plan, .as a basis for further negotiations, while news from Addis Ababa indicates that the. -Emperor is considering tjic acceptance of the plan in its entirety, despite the unwelcomeness of Italy’s claim for .special economic privileges.

Significance is attached to an interview between the French Ambassador. M. do Chambrun, and the Dace,

The Columbia broadcasting company, at, tho request of the British Foreign Office has cancelled plans for a, broadcast to America by Mr Rickett, whe recently. negotiated for concessions in Abvssiuia on behalf of an American company, lest, it revive the false impression that. Mr Rickett is connected with tho British Government. SUPPORT TO LEAGUE LABOR CONGRESS VIEW (Received Sept.. 21, 2 p.m.) • HALIFAX, Sept. 20. The Labor Congress.Convention.unanimously adopted a' resolution supporting the. League sanctions.. “The. rapacious attack on Ethiopia must be halted,” stated the resolution.

A proposal to recommend that finance for public works be provided by print-ing-press money was rejected.