PEACE TALKS

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 5

PEACE TALKS

NO FRESH PROPOSALS BRITISH PRECAUTIONS STILL NECESSARY ACTIONS MISREPRESENTED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 31. Discussions in the various capitals have apparently not brought peace nearer. It appears that Sir Eric Drummond’s conversations with Signor Mussolini were necessary to explain the British attitude in view of Italian expectations of a reduction of Britain’s naval forces in the Mediterranean as a corollary to the Italian withdrawal of a divison from Libya, which Sir Eric Drummond stated was satisfactory as far as it went; nevertheless it left on the Egyptian frontier large Italian formations in excess of the normal establishment aggregating 75,000 men and many aeroplanes and tanks which were about fivefold the British strength in Egypt. Sir Eric Drummond reiterated that British precautions were essential as a minimum in view of Italian Press attacks regarding Malta and other British possessions. Although the attacks had lessened, it was still considered that Britain’s actions and motives were misrepresented. Accordingly the precautions could not be relaxed.

The Geneva correspondent of The Times points out that no new peace proposals were presented to the Coordination Committee or discussed by the delegates. There is no likelihood of new proposals of a detailed or substantial nature being advanced when Sir Samuel Hoare, M. Laval and Baron Aloisi arrive.

Nevertheless, the Geneva correspondent of the Daily Mail learns that Baron Aloisi had a long consultation with Signor Mussolini, which is believed to indicate the existence of a peace plan which it is hoped will form the basis of negotiations. It is felt that the Abyssinian surrenders will facilitate a settlement.

The Paris correspondent of The Times says that M. Laval, before leaving for Geneva, was informed of the British views on the French tentative proposals, indicating that they would need much modification before they were acceptable to the League, Britain and Abyssinia-

Anglo-French Agreement Reported. The Geneva correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says that political circles in Paris affect to know for certain that M. Laval and Sir Samuel Hoare are in complete agreement not only concerning the terms suggested by Italy as a basis for discussion, but also in respect to mutual assistance in the event of any belligerent attacking. It is understood the agreement embraces not merely naval but military assistance. Count Ferdinand Brinon, in an article in the French newspaper L’lnformation, declares that the peace discussions are partly due to the Pope’s initiative. The Pope had a long conversation with Signor Mussolini and urged an honest settlement to include a maritime outlet for Abyssinia. The Pope subsequently instructed his diplomatic representatives to urge interested governments to hasten the negotiations. M. Laval yesterday conferred with the Papal Nuncio. LEAGUE COMMITTEES MEETINGS AT GENEVA. SUPPORT FOR EMBARGOES. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, October 31. Sir Samuel Hoare left London this afternoon for Geneva. M. Laval is also on his way the League meetings. The Committee of Eighteen and the full Co-ordination Committee composed of representatives of 52 States met at Geneva to-day. At the latter meeting Senor Vasconcellos reported that 50 States had agreed to the committee’s recommendation for an arms embargo against Italy, 47 had signified their assent to the recommendation for the withdrawal of loans and credit and 46 had adhered to the recommendation for the prohibition of imports from Italy. The only non-member State to reply to the recent communication by the chairman of the Co-ordination Committee is the United States and it is expected a formal acknowledgment of the reply will be approved by the Committee and despatched to the United States Government. The Co-ordination Committee adjourned pending reports from the various sub-committees. Egypt, though a non-League member, has informed the League that she has decided to adhere to economic and financial sanctions. FRIENDSHIP FOR ITALY MR BALDWIN’S DECLARATION. NO ARMOURED PEACE WANTED. Rugby, October 31. “Of all currents of British policy over the half century none has run more truly or more steadily than our friendship for Italy,” said Mr Stanley Baldwin in a speech at a meeting of the Peace Society in London. Dealing with the suggested policy of isolation he said: “I am told that the broils of other nations are not ours. Does anyone think that war between the great "nations can be limited without someone to pull them up when they go over the touchline and that meanwhile we can trade profitably and happily with both belligerents alike in prosperous neutrality? Modem war between any two great Powers is like one of the great convulsions of nature in the early geological ages and the map of the world has to be redrawn at the end.” Of co-operative efforts for peace he said they meant nothing if they were not prepared in the end, after a grave and careful trial, to take action to enforce the League’s judgment. Despite the defections the League lived. “We want no armoured peace, but unless we are careful it is all the peace we shall have,” said Mr Baldwin. WAR BUSINESS AMERICAN PROHIBITION. BAN ON EXPORTS IN ITALY. (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, October 31. It is now learned that among the considerations which prompted the President to issue his emphatic statement against trading with belligerents were reports transmitted to the State Department showing considerable increase in American exports of cotton and oil to Italy this month; also the fact that many companies had written to the State Department asking if they might accept contracts from Italy. It was confirmed to-day on unquestioned official authority that Mr Roosevelt’s statement was intended to be more comprehensive than a mere warning against war business, and Was calculated to discourage all United States trade with Italy. In other words the President, in effect, threatened to

wield the big stick by branding business men, if the circumstances justified, as war profiteers willing to embroil the United States in war for the sake of a few dollars. In the meantime it is significant that while the President is feeling his way carefully endeavouring to the utmost to observe neutrality, nevertheless events have already forced him into an advanced position much in line with the urgings o fMi H. L. Stimson and Mr Frank Kellogg, and he, in effect, designated Italy as the aggressor, which is expected to have important effects at the next session of Congress. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS LEGISLATION IN AUSTRALIA. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Canberra, November 1. A Bill to impose economic sanctions against Italy was introduced in the House of Representatives by the At-torney-General, Mr Menzies. Members of both Labour parties except Mr Blackburn, Federal'Labour member for Burke (Victoria), opposed each preliminary move for the introduction of the Bill, demanding divisions at every stage. Mr Menzies declared that the adherence of Australia to the policy of sanctions was based upon the profound belief that collective action would be productive not of war, but of the prevention or limitation of war. r." ' ■ — X