ABYSSINIAN NOTE

Southland Times, Issue 22766, 17 December 1935, Page 7

ABYSSINIAN NOTE

PARIS PROPOSALS MEETING OF ASSEMBLY REQUESTED NOT ALONE CONCERNED (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 15. The Abyssinian Note to the League on the Paris proposals declares its conviction that the problem of pacific settlement, putting an end to Italian aggression, does not concern Ethiopia alone, as has often been repeated. Apart from the war of aggression undertaken by Italy against Ethiopia there is a conflict between Italy, which is declared to have broken the Covenant, and the League of Nations, which is the sovereign guarantor of the system of collective security provided for by governments for the benefit of all members of the League without distinction of strength, colour or race. In the present circumstances it is the Ethiopian Government’s imperative duty to do nothing which can contribute towards creating a precedent prejudicial to any states which _ are members of the League of Nations. Each of these states would be entitled to reproach the Ethiopian Government with having deprived it of the means of discussing publicly before the Assembly a problem which is vital to the future of the League of Nations and to the security of each of the states who are members. Abyssinia therefore asks for a meeting of the Assembly. . . The newspapers report continued evidence in letters received by members of Parliament of concern throughout the country at the recent peace developments. Two motions in varying terms, but in general support of the early restoration of peace in Abyssinia, have been tabled in the House of Commons by about 48 right-wing Conservatives. Mr R. A. Eden is on his way back to London. “IRREPARABLE DAMAGE” ANGLO-INDIAN CONDEMNATION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Delhi, December 14. Both the Indian and Anglo-Indian Press are united in condemning the Abyssinian peace proposals. _ The Calcutta Statesman says that Sir Samuel Hoare has irreparably damaged the Baldwin Government in Britain’s moral leadership.

CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN SHATTERED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Oslo, December 15. Scandinavian newspapers condemn the peace proposals and Britain’s share in them. The Swedish paper Allehanda says that confidence in Britain has been shattered and that Sweden must prepare to defend herself. “ASTONISHING BLUNDER” THE OIL PROBLEM. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 13. The Manchester Guardian’s political correspondent expresses the opinion that Sir Samuel Hoare was terribly weak in not forcing M. Laval to go to Geneva and declare before the world that France was unwilling to proceed further with the sanctions. It was an astonishing blunder to allow himself to be persuaded to accept the proposals of a France virtually opting for Italy against Britain. The Manchester Guardian s diplomatic correspondent says the disclosures of M. Laval’s warning to Sir Samuel Hoare that France’s aid in the Mediterranean must necessarily be tardy throws into prominence the conjecture in the House of Commons lobbies that in desperation over oil, Signor Mussolini would probably risk a gambler’s throw and rain air bombs on Malta, where the manufacture of gas masks to supply the whole population had long since been ordered. The Sun-Herald says that those who support Sir Samuel Hoare’s action point out that he was unable to call M. Laval’s bluff because he was assured that a rejection of the proposals would result in Italy attacking the British Fleet in the Mediterranean at a moment when there could be virtually no assistance from France. This it is pointed out would automatically involve not only Britain but also Australia, owing to the presence of her two cruisers. The British Government and the Dominions’ representatives have been growing steadily more anxious . for some weeks regarding the effectiveness of oil sanctions owing to apprehension of the inadequacy of the guarantee of French naval support. DESSIE AIR RAIDS EFFECT ON ABYSSINIANS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) London, December 16. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that leading government officials say that the air raids on Dessie were clearly intended to demoralize the Abyssinians so that they would be ready to jump at any peace terms. “In reality,” officials say, “they have had the opposite effect, since we are now determined to give nothing to Italy. If she wants our land she must take it by force. We fear nothing except aeroplanes. We have learned how to avoid casualties in raids. During the next fifteen days the Italians will feel our strength.”

TROOPS FOR AFRICA OVER 300,000 THIS YEAR. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) London, December 16. Though fewer troops went to Africa in November statistics show that Italy’s militax-y passengers southward through the Suez Canal in 1935 thus far exceed 300,000 with cash payments for Canal dues of £1,250,000. Eight thousand sick and wounded are among 20,000 men who have returned. The aircraftcarrier Miraglia, with bombers stacked bridge high, passed through the Canal at the week-end.