ITALIANS QUIT CHAMBER

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1935, Page 7

ITALIANS QUIT CHAMBER

DRAMATIC SCENES AT GENEVA I ABYSSINIA REPLIES TO ATTACK FIRM STAND OF OTHER POWERS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Geneva, September 5. Aj TENSE scene at the evening meeting of the League Council to hear Abyssinia’s reply to Italy’s allegations seems to indicate a change for the worse, but even the pessimists do not think that Italy contemplates leaving the League. Professor Jeze had launched an impassioned speech in defence of the Abyssinian case, and was undeterred by Baron Aloisi having previously quitted the chamber. Signoi Guido Rocco, head of the League section of the Italian Foreign Office, after listening to Professor Jeze’s introductory remarks, withdrew with the other members of the delegation after its secretary had entered and whispered intently in Signor Rocco s ear. The Italian spokesman subsequently explained that the delegation withdrew because for the first time in the League s history insulting language had been employed at the Council table. Italy could not suffer this unchallenged. . . Professor Jeze requested the Council under article 10 to consider means of averting aggression, halting the Italian military preparations, and thereafter enforcing article 15. Aftei characterising the Italian memorandum as a misleading manoeuvre, Professor Jeze charged Italy with elephantine tricks in endeavouring to dishonour those she wished to destroy. He asked why Italy had invoked the pretext of civilisation to menace Abyssinia’s very existence. , At the conclusion of a speech by M. Litvinoff (Russia) Signor Rocco sought the suspension of the session on the plea of examining Professor Jeze’s speech. M. Laval declined, but soon afterwards the Council adjourned without fixing the date of the next meeting.

ABYSSINIA’S PLEDGE

REPLY OFFENDS ITALY NOT LEAVING LEAGUE ATTITUDE OF RUSSIANS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Geneva, Sept. 5. The League Council was, unexpectedly summoned at 6 o’clock in the evening to hear Abyssinia's case, postponed for an hour to enable Abyssinia to complete her answer to Italy’s allegations. Signor G. Rocco (Italy) who was replacing Baron Aloisi at the Council meeting, walked out when Professor Jeze, the French adviser to Abyssinia, violently defended Abyssinia. Signor Rocco’s departure is not interpreted as Italy leaving the League. It is recalled that the Polish delegate made a similar gesture when he refused to discuss the minorities question. The League Council met first in private, then in pubUc.. The private sitting was concerned with plans for setting up a small committee of the Council to examine the Italo-Ethiopian dispute and the possibilities of a conciliatory settlement. It is understood that the personnel provisionally suggested includes Mr. R. A. Eden (Britain), M. Laval (France), Senor de Madariaga (Spain), Colonel Beck (Poland) and Mr. Aras (Turkey), and the number will probably be limited to five. At the public session the spokesman for Ethiopia replied to Baron Aloisi s speech. When he made an appeal to Ihe League to defend Abyssinia’s independence and existence Signor Rocco rose and left the Council chamber. The Italian delegation explained afterwards that this proceeding had no significance in regard to Italian League membership, but Italy did not recognise Abyssinia’s right to be a member of the League and her delegate had refused to listen to the Abyssinian representative. , “ATTEMPT TO DISHONOUR.” The Ethiopian representative said that Italy was attempting to dishonour his country. Abyssinia desired to suppress accusations not worthy of a detailed answer. He refuted the charge that Abyssinia was prepared for an attack. “We solemnly pledge ourselves to respect all our international obligations,” he said. “We are ready to accept help from disinterested countries in the modernisation of our country.” Professor Jeze concluded with an appeal to the Council to accept its responsibilities under articles 10 and 15 of the Covenant. Before the Council adjourned the Soviet member, M. Litvinoff, in a brief but pointed speech announced on behalf of his Government its readiness to assume all its responsibilities. He repudiated any sympath; with the conditions which the Italians alleged existed in Abyssinia, but he claimed that it was indispensable to protect the integrity and independence of a member of the League. There were other than military measures which could be used to civilise

backward countries, added M. Litvinoff. He could not approve of the attitude which the Italian member asked the Council to take up. Russia joined the League to collaborate in the cause of peace, and for that reason he advised his colleagues not to shrink ftom necessary decisions. While Baron Aloisi does not oppose the formation of a conciliation committee he demands that if Italy is not represented on it England and France, the other two signatories of the 1906 treaties, should not participate. Mr. Eden and M. Laval regard their participation as immaterial and state that the Council must decide the personnel. DELEGATES INSTRUCTED. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times says the Government has instructed the League delegates neither to concede nor compromise, but to firmly adhere to instructions. British circles attach significance to Baron Aloisi’s statement last night that Italy’s signature to the Briand-Kellogg Pact contained reservations similar to and that consequently Italy was not bound by it with reference to Ethiopia. It is pointed out, however, that the British reservations applied to the defence of territories such as Egypt and the Persian Gulf countries, an attack on which would automatically constitute an attack against the Empire, and did not permit, annexation such as Italy contemplates. What is generally regarded as the most important result of the first day’s proceedings is the lead which has been given by the great Powers most intimately concerned in the negotiations. The attitude and aims of the British Government have been placed beyond doubt by Mr. Eden’s speech, and France has gone far in concurrence with the British statement through the agency of M. Laval. , Both M. Laval and Mr. Eden to-day spent a busy morning and afternoon in mutual and separate consultations. Mr. Eden and Mr. Stanley Bruce, Australian High Commissioner, conferred with the other Dominion representatives. Mr. Eden also had talks with the Polish, Turkish and Danish members of the Council, as well as with Senor Guinazu (Argentina) and the Secretary-General, M. Avenol. Members of the Council and their experts were also occupied with a study of the voluminous documents circulated by Baron Aloisi, containing the Italian charges against the Ethiopian Government. Italy contended that Abyssinia manifestly and with a full realisation of her responsibilities had continuallyviolated treaties with Italy. The second part of the Italian memorandum set out to prove that Abyssinia never fulfilled her obligations as a League member and that her political structure is itself contrary to that of civilised nations, and argues that in defending herself against Abyssinia Italy is in reality defending the principles of equity of the League. A British Official Wireless message says that the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, arrived at No. 10 Downing Street at the end of his Continental holiday. No arrangements were made for a formal meeting of the Ministers, but Mr. Baldwin will be in consultation with those of his colleagues who are at London, including Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr. Neville Chamberlain and Mr. Ramsay MacDonald. The Prime Minister will spend the week-end at Chequers.