POWERS’ QUARREL

Southland Times, Issue 25342, 22 July 1935, Page 7

POWERS’ QUARREL

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA PLAIN SPEAKING BY EMPEROR MANDATE OPPOSED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Addis Ababa, July 20. “Italy is seeking a pretext to initiate a campaign of vilification with a view to eventual conquest,” declared the Emperor of Abyssinia in the course of a special statement. “Thus far Italy has found nothing better than a drunken brawl between native employees of a commercial agency and local police which she misrepresented as a grave international incident. Recognizing that military preparations are unjustifiable morally and judicially, Italy seeks to justify her refusal to execute the international engagements by denouncing us as savages, yet herself resorting to the most savage methods of all. ’’She is also seeking to create dissension between our races and religions, which were never more united. We categorically announce that we will not accept a solution involving an Italian or any other protectorate or mandate. The issue is between a small nation whose attitude is pacific, but which is resolved to defend its territorial integrity and political independence, which members of the League are obligated to safeguard, and a great nation avowing preference for glorious war and cynically urging the necessity for expansion.” The Emperor protests against the arbitrary application of an arms embargo helping a stronger nation, which is counter to all concepts of modern civilization. He adds that he confidently awaits the League’s decisions.

"He who dies for his country is a happy man,” declared the Emperor after a review of his troops in an appeal to young and old men and women to be united against the invader. He added: “It is better to die free than to live as slaves. Signor Mussolini has declared that Italy is on a civilizing mission. He wants to exclude a peaceful solution. He wants a tlement of the old Adowa affair.”

MUSSOLINI ANNOYED

ABYSSINIAN KING’S SPEECH.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Rome, July 20. Signor Mussolini is incensed at King Haili Selassie’s speech of July 18. He considers it warlike, and has instructed the Italian Minister at Addis Ababa to strongly protest. It is semi-officially announced that there have been 70 sunstroke deaths among the Italian forces.

TRAINING OF YOUTHS

ITALY’S MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) London, July 19.

The Rome correspondent of The Times says that General Grazioli, in reporting to Signor Mussolini on the militarization of Italy, announced that 40,000 instructors were training 500,000 youths and that every commune was providing special grounds for exercising.

WAR EXPECTED

SANDBAGS FOR ADDIS ABABA

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Cairo, July 20. A million sandbags have been' despatched to Addis Ababa to protect the British Legation in the event of war, which Egypt believes is inevitable.

LEAGUE MACHINERY

USE BY ITALY ADVOCATED.

DIPLOMATIC CONSULTATIONS.

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, July 19.

The Secretary-General of the League of Nations, M. Avenol, has now concluded his visit to Paris where discussions with French Ministers took place. M. Avenol will return to Paris on Monday, when it is assumed that he will be informed of the latest results of diplomatic consultations. The newspapers state that arguments addressed by the League to Rome are urging the desirability of efforts being made by Signor Mussolini to use the League machinery for putting forward Italy’s case against Abyssinia which has not yet been officially formulated in public. The British Government continues to be actively engaged through diplomatic exchanges in Rome and Paris in efforts to discover a means for a direct peaceful settlement of the Italo-Ethiopian dispute. These efforts certainly will be continued until success is achieved or until the matter comes before the League Council. In the latter event it is hoped Italy, as well as Abyssinia, will be prepared to submit a full and frank statement in order that the Council shall be fully informed upon all the facts of the case. Members of the Council have been asked to hold themselves in readiness to attend a meeting which may be summoned about the end of the month.

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN

INTEREST IN ABYSSINIA

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Tokio, July 19.

The Foreign Minister announces that Japan is specially interested in Abyssinia economically and that she could not remain unconcerned in the possibility of war. The recent statements that Japan had assured Signor Mussolini that she would not interfere in Abyssinia have been officially denied.