PEACE TERMS

Southland Times, Issue 22767, 18 December 1935, Page 5

PEACE TERMS

BRITAIN’S SUPPORT EXPLANATION AWAITED DEBATE IN COMMONS PLAIN SPEAKING LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.35 p.m.) London, December 17. A special meeting of Cabinet this morning will decide the nature of Mr Eden’s statement to the League Council to-morrow. The political correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Mr Baldwin will indulge in plain speaking when he defends the Franco-British proposals in the House of Commons debate on Thursday. He will stress that in deciding to approve the plan the Government was conscious of the risk of a European war that would follow the imposition of a fully effective oil embargo against Italy. The issue will be frankly stated, namely, that the Government is not prepared to embark on a course which might lead to war in the absence of absolute guarantees of effective military support from othermembers of the League. The Government has throughout insisted that Britain would never act alone on behalf of the League; all measures must be collective. This fact was re-emphasized in Government circles last night, and lack of definite assurances by others was given as the reason for the course which has been pursued. The Government is confident that Thursday’s debate will put the situation in its true light. The Geneva correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that all eyes are turned toward London. The British Cabinet’s decision and the outcome of the House of Commons debate are awaited with interest unparalleled in League history. The Rome correspondent of The Times says that the official spokesman declared that after the Fascist Grand Council had discussed the proposals tomorrow the Government would probably ask for explanations on a number of points and perhaps point out various objections. It would thus apparently be some time before Italy could even decide whether the proposals could be regarded as a basis of discussion.

NOT CONSULTED BRITISH DOMINIONS. UNPOPULAR PEACE PLAN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 16. The Sun-Herald Service says that the fog surrounding the handling of the international situation thickens. It is now believed that the peace plan as approved by Sir Samuel Hoare was despatched to Signor Mussolini before the Dominions knew of its existence, and their representatives were summoned to Whitehall after the storm had burst, yet the original decision to impose sanctions was taken only after full consultation with the Dominion representatives at Geneva. It is understood that the invidiousness of the Dominions’ position will be fully exploited by the Socialists in Thursday’s debate, and they intend to argue that Britain secured a united Empire front at Geneva which Sir Samuel Hoare has now jettisoned. The Sun-Herald Service adds: “It is strongly believed this afternoon that Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation is unavoidable. Cabinet will accept full responsibility for everything that has occurred, but the criticisms are all concentrated on Sir Samuel Hoare.” Ministers Confer. The Prime Minister, who was spending the week-end at Chequers, returned to London yesterday and was in consultation, presumably with regard to the Paris peace project, with Mr Eden, who returned from Geneva on Saturday. Sir John Simon, who was also in the country for the weekend, returned to London, and after calling at No. 10 Downing Street visited Mr Eden at the Foreign Office. Owing to the state of his health Sir Samuel Hoare is unlikely to attend the House of Commons until Thursday, when the debate on the Paris proposals will take place. On the previous day there will be a debate on this subject in the House of Lords. A copyright message to The Times from Addis Ababa says the Emperor has issued a statement reiterating his willingness to facilitate a peaceful solution, but declaring that acceptance, even in principle, of the Anglo-French proposals would be a cowardly act towards Abyssinia: also it would be a betrayal of the League and of all States which believed they could henceforth have confidence in collective security. The Emperor adds that Abyssinians regard the proposals as the negation and abandonment of the League’s principles. The statement, which vzas preceded by a long conference with Colonel Colson and other advisers and the military leaders, gratifies all elements, as such firm speaking was not expected. Oil Embargo Wanted. The Geneva correspondent of the Manchester Guardian doubts whether, even if the Council refuses the proposals, it can restore the original position regarding sanctions. Many of the delegations are unwilling to continue sanctions unless there is an embargo on petrol, as it is contended that France and Britain hitherto have agreed to sanctions doing the least possible harm to Italy, but which must harm others while avoiding the most effective sanction. These delegations express the opinion that an oil embargo would be applied if Britain agreed, adding that it should be applied whatever France’s attitude. The Latin Americans are especially bitter against Britain, declaring that they have been duped by British imperialism. Some say that unless an oil embargo is imposed they will reconsider their participation in sanctions and perhaps their membership of the League. Others, regret not following the United States and Brazil by staying out of the League, which is said to be only an instrument of Franco-British policy. COMMONS DEBATE QUESTION OF SUITABLE MOTION. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 16. The executive of the Parliamentary Labour Party is meeting to-day to decide whether the debate in the House of Commons shall take place on a vote of censure, on a motion asking for further information or on a technical

resolution for an adjournment of the House which does not usually end with a division. Meanwhile, questions will be asked to-day in the House of Commons bearing on the working of sanctions against Italy and on the Paris proposals of peace. SIR SAMUEL HOARE RETURN TO LONDON. QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 16. Sir Samuel Hoare arrived in London this afternoon from Switzerland. He is making satisfactory progress from the effects of his broken nose, but will be confined to his home for the next two days. He will speak first for the Government in the debate in the House of Commons on Thursday. The Prime Minister will also speak. Mr Eden is leaving London to-mor-row afternoon to represent the British Government on the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva on Wednesday. Before his departure he will attend a meeting of Cabinet called for to-morrow. Mr Eden answered several questions in the House of Commons on the Paris proposals. He said he had nothing to add to statements already made in the White Paper. He gave an affirmative reply to a question whether the Government still adhered to its declaration that one of the indispensable conditions of any settlement of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia was that the terms must be consistent with the League Covenant. Tire Italian Ambassador in London, Signor Grandi, called at the Foreign Office to-day and asked a number of questions regarding the proposals communicated by the French and British Governments to Signor Mussolini as a basis of negotiations for a settlement I of the war in Abyssinia. No answers I were given, but the Ambassador’s questions were noted. DELICATE POSITION

THE FOREIGN SECRETARY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.40 p.m.) London, December 17. The political correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Mr Baldwin will strongly support Sir Samuel Hoare at Thursday’s debate, on the lines forecast yesterday. Sir Samuel Hoare’s position is delicate, but Mr Baldwin is expected to oppose a change in the Foreign Office. LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE POSTPONED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Geneva, December 16. Consultations are proceeding to postpone the Council meeting until December 20. It is believed that they have been inspired by the desire of the smaller - Powers to await the House of Commons and French Chamber debates. NO BASIS FOR SUGGESTION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 16. The Australian Associated Press has been informed that there is no basis for the suggestion that the League Council meeting is being postponed until December 20. It is stated in Whitehall that France has neither indicated her unwillingness to continue the existing sanctions nor has she withdrawn her. promise of naval support in the Mediterranean. CESSION OF TERRITORY ABYSSINIAN OPPOSITION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Dessie, December 16. An official statement says that the abandonment of an integral part of territory in favour of a declared aggressor would give Italy a starting point for a third attempt to conquer Ethiopia; also the Italian economic zone would be worse than a mandate because it does not safeguard the population and does not provide equality with strangers. The Government is convinced the League Council will not accept the proposals for attacking Ethiopian sovereignty and dismembering her territory. STRIVING FOR PEACE POPE ADDRESSES CARDINALS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Vatican City, December 16. Addressing 22 cardinals present at a secret consistory, the Pope failed to make his expected pronouncements on the Abyssinian conflict, saying his words might be misunderstood and distorted. He declared that there had been no lack of sad events sufficient to fill their hearts with profound grief, for example, in Russia, in Mexico, and to some extent in 'Germany. “All that could justly and legitimately be expected of us in respect of the conflict pre-occupying not only Italy and Africa, but the whole world, we have already made known on several occasions,” he said. “Our words have been so widely published that they must come to the notice of those seeking the truth from us. Let this serve as admonishment to those who still seem to wonder and be most scandalized on the ground that we have not fulfilled our divine mission. We repeat that we ardently desire, and are striving to obtain, peace joined with justice, truth and charity.” OIL SANCTIONS LAVAL’S OPPOSITION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 16. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Herald says M. Laval is still determined to make Britain help him to prevent oil sanctions, even planning to suspend all sanctions unless Abyssinia accepts the proposals.