HOPES SHATTERED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18987, 11 April 1936, Page 5

HOPES SHATTERED

ARMISTICE PLANS . ETHIOPIA WILLING FRAMEWORK OF LEAGUE OPPOSITION BY IL DIJCE NO PARLEYS AT GENEVA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. April 11. 11.50 a,m.) LONDON, April 10. A message from Geneva states that the chairman of the League Committee of Thirteen, Senor Madariaga, announced to-night that Abyssinia was prepared to talk peace with him and M. A vend, the Secretary-General to the League, in the presence of Italians, within the framework of the League, Italy firstly stating her terms. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, yesterday received the Abyssinian delegate, who stated that Abyssinia was ready to talk peace under the auspices of the League provided the settlement was within the spirit of the covenant. Under no circumstances would Abyssinia negotiate with Italy direct. The Committee of Thirteen met privately to consider Senor Madariaga’s report on his conversations with Baron Aloisi and also to discuss further action regarding the poison gas allegations. ITALY RELENTLESS It is understood that hopes of an armistice were shattered owing to Italy’s inflexibility. Baron Aloisi told Senor Madariaga that lie was not authorised even to discuss the subject. lie said he came to Geneva solely to attend the meeting of the Locarno Treaty Powers, after which he was immediately returning to Rome. Baron Aloisi reminded Senor Madariaga of Signor Mussolini’s,invitation to Senor Madariaga to visit Rome and reemphasised Italy’s willingness to send a delegate to Geneva after Easter. During the committee discussions Mr. Eden, supported by Senor Madariaga, strongly opposed an adjournment for Easter and desired the committee to remain in permanent session to keep a close watch on the discussions. Other delegates, including the French Foreign Minister, M. Flandin, pleaded for an adjournment to enable them to leave Geneva, upon which the committee adjourned until Thursday next. , Senor Madariaga is not accepting Signor Mussolini’s invitation to go to Rome, but will make contact with the Italians directly they arrive at Geneva after Easier. It is understood that during the committee’s discussions at Geneva, M. Flandin and M. Titulescu (Rumania) expressed the opinion that the League should keep its hands off peace negotiations as' much as possible. Mr. Eden said that Abyssinia insisted on negotiations within the framework of the League. If Italy offered drastic terms outside it, the negotiations probably would collapse. HEATED RETORT M. Flandin warmly replied that in that event, the League .would know that Abyssinia was responsible for prolonging the war. Mr. Eden heatedly retorted that the League faced the aggressor and the victim could not refuse to support the League. The British United Press’ Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini has instructed Baron Aloisi not to discuss the It.alo-Abyssinian question at Geneva.

The Italian Government spokesman yesterday expressed the opinion at Home that, in view ol ! her recent sue cesses, Italy expected to be able to conclude peace in a few weeks. It is reported at Rome that General Badoglio claims that the victory at Lake Ashangi enabled the occupation of 23,100 additional square miles in Abyssinia, bringing the total in Italian hands to 38,000 square miles, the farthest penetration from Eritrea being 180 miles.