EMPEROR’S OFFER

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 5

EMPEROR’S OFFER

TERRITORY SECESSION ADVISERS FROM LEAGUE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS OBJECTION TO MANDATE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. Addis Ababa, Sept. 9. New instructions on which Abyssinia’s delegates at Geneva were working at the week-end are reported to include four important concessions, including:— (1) Cession of part of Ogaden. (2) The League’s nomination of advisers for Ethiopia, although the Emperor is empowered to veto the appointments. (3) Italy will be permitted to construct a road from Eritrea to Gondor. The fourth point is so far unknown. It is believed that Emperor Haile Selassie remains opposed to a rhandate protectorate or a similar encroachment on his sovereignty as an over-liberal concession which might lead to civil war. After long consultation the advisers of the Emperor are willing to cede part of Ogaden for payment or an equivalent grant of territory and re-open negotiations, which were abortive in 1928, for the construction of a road between Addis Ababa and Dessie Assab, says a copyright message to the Times from Addis Ababa. Ethiopian authorities are of the opinion chat the movements of Italian forces fanwise from Amara to the centre of the Tigre frontier are to make room for new troops which are expected at Massawa by three roads from Amara to threaten the Adowa plateau. The Rome correspondent of the Times says Italian preparations in Abyssinia are incomplete. Many troops and much munitions are still to be embarked, though in the absence of unforeseen developments the most probable date for the opening of hostilities is the first week tn October. The Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent, discussing the Emperor s attitude towards the concessions, says: “The position is described as Abyssinia not awaiting the highest bidder at an international auction but rather resembling a householder threatened .by an armed intruder. If the League wishes to assist in the defence of Abyssinia’s possessions its aid would be welcomed. If war is inevitable Abyssinia will go down fighting. On the contrary if they defeat the Italians they will not advance into Eritrea or Somaliland to recover lost ground as the districts are uninhabitable owing to inadequate water, heat and the prevalence of malaria. The special correspondent of the Associated Press at Geneva, says that Sir James Parr, High Commissioner for New Zealand, will represent New Zealand on all five committees with Mr. R. M. Campbell, economic adviser to the New Zealand Government and Mr. C. A. Knowles as substitute delegates. Mr. De Valera, President of the Irish Free State, has been elected president of the League Assembly’s political commission.