“PERSONAL AFFRONT”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19024, 26 May 1936, Page 5

“PERSONAL AFFRONT”

SELASSIE'S LONDON VISIT OBJECTIONS 'IN ROME MAY INCREASE TENSION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 26, 12 noon) LONDON, May 25. The Associated Press understands that the Emperor of .Abyssinia, Haile Selassie, is' to visit England incognito by his own wish. Official receptions and' meetings are thus precluded. The Rome correspondent of the Times says .that Selassie's going to London has caused suspicion and annoyance. It is considered that the British sanctionists propose to use the Emperor as a catspaw and to appeal through him to the sentimental sympathies of the public in order to ensure a continuance of sanctions.

It is pointed out that no assdrance was exacted from the Emperor to abstain from political activity. He has merely undertaken to abstain, while on British soil, from a furtherance of hostilities. Consequently, it is anticipated that he will be besieged by interviewers and invitations to social engagements. In short, the “Lion, of Judah” is to bo the “Lion” of the London season.

It is suggested in some quarters that ■Selassie’s visit will put the _ British Royal Family in an embarrassing position 'as regard's the Italian Royal Family. One paper declares that it Selassie is received as the Emperor, Italy might' interpret the matter as a personal affront to King Victor.

Other episodes, such as the arrest of Warrant Officer Bunner and the disappearance of the diplomatic bag are cited as wilful British attempts to increase the tension.

MEANING TO FRANCE ITALIANS IN ETHIOPIA FUTURE OF DJIBOUTI DOUBT OF ASSURANCES LONDON, May 24. The Paris correspondent.' of The Times says that Signor Mussolini’s assurance that the Italian occupation of. Abyssinia will not affect the Djibouti railway, which will continue to be used normally, has little value in French eyes, because it is hot the railway, but the future economic and political existence of Djibouti itself which is endangered.

Even the most rabid anti-sanction-ists are beginning to discover that Signor Mussolini’s Abyssinian adventure concerns France more closely than ever, and are prepared to admit that, while the Italian victory threatens French colonial communications, it .cannot be ignored, as Djibouti is an important link between France, IndoChina and Madagascar. Moreover, its .maintenance, has cost France nothing, as, it liyes p.n Ethiopian' trade. Thus anyi.jiiterferqnce with it, either by -italign. monopolisation or the prohibition of commercial relations between Abyssinia and sanctionist countries, must be disastrous.

THE BRITISH LEGATION % FUTURE NOT DECIDED OBJECTIONS TO GUARD (British Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, May 25. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, stated in the House of Commons at question time, that the Italian Government had invited the British Government to consider whether, in the light of tho occupation of Addis Ababa, it would not now be desirable to- withdraw the reinforcements dispatched last year to strengthen the British Legation guard. As the situation in Addis A'baba was still under consideration, decision had been deferred.

In another reply, Mr. Eden said that there was no immediate intention of withdrawing His Majesty’s Legation at Addis Ababa, but the (Minister, Sir Sidney • Barton, in all probability would shortly be returning to England on leave, which had long been due to him.