PERSISTENT BELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1935, Page 7

PERSISTENT BELIEF

WIDER SETTLEMENT BASE CONTROL OF ABYSSINIA Rec. 9.30 p.m. London, Sept. 13. The British view of the Abyssinian situation remains extremely grave, with little hope that any form of conciliation will be successful, says the Geneva correspondent of the Times. However, against this it must be stated there is a persistent belief that some form of settlement going far beyond the Paris proposals but acceptable to the Emperor of Ethiopia is in the air. There is a general feeling that even if Italy relinquished all her claims some form of collective League intervention is necessary for the reorganisation and development of Abyssinia. Some Italian newspapers describe Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech as a monument of hypocrisy, theoretical, false and blackmailing. One writer says: “We are not going to Abyssinia solely for raw materials and market. It is for us a revolutionary goal.” M. Laval after an interview with Baron Aloisi indicated that the ‘situation was not hopeless and that a last attempt was being made to persuade Signor Mussolini, says the Geneva correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The Geneva correspondent of the Daily Mail says that Franc® is sitting on the fence regarding sanctions. She will do her utmost to protract the discussions and prevent a decision being reached. M. Laval said yesterday: “If we opened recruiting stations in France to recruit troops to fight Italy on behalf of Abyssinia there would not be a single volunteer.” ■

In view of the international situation three battalions of British infantry at present at Catterick are being despatched to Malta, bringing the garrison to. the authorised establishment, which was depleted in 1929, when troops were sent to Palestine.

The Athens correspondent of the Times says that Italy has notified the Government that an Italian torpedo boat was obliged to anchor at Asida on account of bad weather. The Government protested against this new infringement of international courtesy.

The newspaper Scotsman, commenting on the Italian warships’ visits to Greece, expresses the opinion that Italy in view of the fact that the League is considering sanctions desires to intimidate Greece and possibly the Balkan Powers also. Italy would seize Greek merchantmen for use if a blockade were established and secure the Greek islands for bases for naval raids, thereby raising a counter-blockade. An Addis Ababa cable states that the Crown jewels, including Emperor Theodore’s gold crown, which the British captured at Magdala and later restored, also a gold necklace reputed to have been worn by the Queen of Sheba, have been placed in a secret bomb-proof shelter.

A meeting purporting to represent the Fascists of 17 European countries to-day issued a communique protesting against League intervention in Abyssinia and affirming that General O’Duffy of the Irish Free State had announced that 1000 of his Blueshirts had volunteered for service in East Africa because they were conscious that Italy’s struggle’ was on behalf of civilisation against barbarism. The Daily Telegraph’s French correspondent at Geneva says M. Laval will insist that conciliatory methods can still be explored but will be ready with a policy in the event of hostilities aiming at limiting sanctions to the financial and economic aspects.