PARIS TALKS

Southland Times, Issue 25363, 15 August 1935, Page 7

PARIS TALKS

ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE BRITISH HOPES FOR PEACE POINTS EXAMINED, (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, August 13. The preliminary talks which begin to-morrow and more formal conversations which start on Friday between representatives of France, Britain and Italy will be followed with close and anxious attention. It is expected that M. Laval will preside over the discussions in which Italy will be represented by Baron Aloisi. In Britain it is strongly felt that the dispute, in spite of its difficulties and the advanced stage it has now reached, should still be capable of solution, if it can even now be brought back to a point of calm and reasonable examination. It is hoped this may be possible during the Paris talks. For some weeks past the British Government has been engaged in an examination of all the elements in the situation, including its economic aspects. As a result Mr R. A. Eden will be in a position to submit for discussion among the delegates certain constructive proposals, involving pressure on neither of the parties to the dispute, which may be of‘practical value in the task of evolving a scheme acceptable to both. The alternative to a peaceful solution would be to resort to force, which in the British view would involve disregard of repeated treaty obligations and would thereby seriously increase European instability, since it would cast doubts on the value of all international undertakings ,and. in this particular instance, might well cause repercussions among races further afield. It is significant to find that both the Morning Post, the organ of Right Wing Conservatives, and the Daily Herald, the organ of the Labour Opposition, are agreed in promising Mr Eden the united support of every section of British opinion in his efforts to promote a peaceful settlement. A report on the Paris negotiations will be made to the League Council when it assembles early next month. COLONY OF ERITREA ITALIAN DEVELOPMENT. BIG POPULATION INCREASE. . (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, August 13. The Rome correspondent of The Times says that the extent of Italian development at Eritrea is revealed by the Giornale d'ltalia, which admits that Massowa was originally not equipped to handle heavy traffic, resulting in congestion which has now been relieved by fleets of motor transport and the construction of roads to Asmara. The port's unloading capacity has risen from 300 to 3500 tons daily. Formerly the railway from Massowa to Asmara ran two trains daily; there are now six which have carried during the past three months 16,000 passengers and 36,000 tons of goods. Moreover 206 kilometres of roads have been built, 15 wells reopened, 62 new wells sunk, 12 reservoirs constructed, the aerodromes increased threefold, 17 hospitals enlarged and many warehouses built. The population has risen from 4528 to 55,000, of which 25,000 are Italian workmen. Signor Mussolini has promised that the results during the next six months will be even better.

DANGEROUS SITUATION

ELEMENTS FOR WORLD WAR.

LORD SNOWDEN’S OPINION.

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) London, August 13.

“Abyssinia is to be left practically defenceless to be butchered and make a Roman holiday,” declares Lord Snowden in a letter to The Times. He adds: “International complications which will arise are too terrible to contemplate. The coloured peoples are feeling a sense of solidarity. Serious trouble in European colonial possessions will certainly develop from Signor Mussolini’s next enterprize and if successful Abyssinia will be made another Austria and an Italian province. There are all the elements for another world war in tha present situation.” CONFERENCE BANNED OPPOSITION TO WAR. 'United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.40 p.m.) London, August 14. The Geneva correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says the Swiss Federal Council prohibited the holding of an international conference at Basle to-morrow to protest against an ItaloAbyssinian war on the ground that it might imperil the federation’s international relations, but the prohibition, it is reported, is due to pressure from Signor Mussolini. Foreigners entering the country to attend the conference will be turned back, while foreigners residing in Switzerland who participate in such a conference will be expelled.