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Southland Times, Issue 22729, 4 November 1935, Page 7

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SANCTIONS PLAN NOVEMBER 18 COMMITTEE’S' DECISION TENSE ATMOSPHERE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Geneva, November 2. The Committee of Eighteen has decided that sanctions will operate on November 18. Those states with favourable credit balances with Italy will be allowed to receive Italian goods m liquidation. . South Africa proposed at a meeting of the Committee of Eighteen that exports to non-League countries should be limited to the average for the past three years, ensuring prevention ot reexports of the surplus to Italy. The agreement by the Committee followed a discussion protracted far into the night when it was decided that all purchases from Italy should cease on November 18. Outstanding debts will be regarded as assets, ultimately recoverable, and that the nations should assist each other to minimize any damage caused. Sir Samuel Hoare conferred with Baron Aloisi for an hour and emphasized that Britain was anxious for a settlement as soon as possible,, but there was no question of negotiating over the head of the Emperor. Sir Samuel Hoare strongly protested against the anti-British campaign and said he would welcome steps to lessen the tension. He suggested that Italy withdraw at least 30,000 troops from Libya. Both parties agreed to continue the search for a basis of settlement . . The Committee of Fifty-two also passed a resolution asking all League members to apply financial sanctions against Italy on November 18 at the latest. M. Laval declared that France would continue her friendly efforts towards peace. Any settlement must be within the League’s framework. Sir Samuel Hoare said the new committee would before November 18 examine the cases requiring special treatment. He emphasized that it was with regret that the League was forced to take this action, but collective meas-

ures were inevitable to enable the League to retain its influence. Our object is to shorten the war which we believe it is our action to achieve. He added that the recent diplomatic exchanges were merely tentative suggestions of which there is at present no outcome. The Canadian proposal for an extension of the embargo to coal, iron and steel was referred to the economic sub-committee. The delegates to the. Committee of Eighteen carried on their deliberations in a very terse atmosphere and bitterly attacked Switzerland’s enforcement of an arms embargo on both combatants. M. Van Zeeland, the Belgian Premier, suggested that a mandate be given Britain and France to seek a settlement under the aegis of the League. Signor Maddariaga, Dr. . Motta and M. Titulescu supported this. M. Potemokin declared that sanctions would demand general sacrifices, but would not be too high a price to pay for realization of the League’s solidarity and indivisibility. The Peace Sub-committees on November 4 will consider the Canadian and South African proposals, also the problems arising out of sanctions. Then they will report to the Committee of Eighteen on November 6. EARLY STATEMENT ANGLO-FRENCH ATTITUDE. POSITION IN MEDITERRANEAN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) London, November 2. The Daily Mail’s Geneva correspondent says that an Anglo-French statement is expected to be issued to-night, covering the two countries’ attitude towards the present situation, especially regarding the Mediterranean. It will, it is stated, also make clear the AngloFrench unanimity concerning the necessity for the application of sanctions now and also for prompt conciliation negotiations aiming at ultimate peace. The Mail adds: It has always been known that the application of sanctions, even on a purely financial and economic scale, would entail the gravest of risks. The Geneva correspondent of The Times indicates that new British efforts are afoot to find a solution of the eternal Franco-German quarrel and points out that when the present measures against Italy were decided upon, the League’s Secretary-General circularized non-member States asking their comment. The German reply has not yet been received, but it is expected to express willingness to effectively participate in collective action. Such willingness could only mean that Germany is ready to redirect her steps towards Geneva, but at a price. The correspondent suggests the price may take the form of new assurances of security in Europe with Britain’s moral guarantee. The Rome correspondent of The Times says that Mr Baldwin’s friendly references to Italy on October 31 are sarcastically rejected by most Italians and the newspapers with increasing vehemence, declaring them smokescreens whereby the Government is seeking to conceal their Imperialistic designs on Abyssinia and crush Italian expansion. The British Government is therefore be’ged to drop once and for all their “hypocritical” references to friendship for Italy and speak out with the same loyalty and courage with which Italy is defending her interests and aims and with the same clearness which it is ironically said is revealed in the a<£r> of British policy. ITALIAN GRAND COUNCIL IMPORTANT MEETING CALLED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Rome, November 2. Signor Mussolini has summoned the Grand Fascist Council to meet at Rome on November 16, when he is expected to make an important declaration of policy. It is believed he may then announce Italy’s withdrawal from the League.