MUSSOLINI’S DEMANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1935, Page 5

MUSSOLINI’S DEMANDS

TERMS COMMUNICATED, TO BRITAIN

BASIS FOR NEGOTIATION SOUGHT RENEWAL OF ITALIAN OFFENSIVE I By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright. Received 8 p.m. London, October 26. THOUGH official circles maintain impenetrable reserve, the present position is that M. Laval has communicated to Britain Signor Mussolini’s terms for the cessation of the Abyssinian war, says the Paris correspondent of the Times. The terms are generally believed to be: (1) Disarming of Abyssinia, with international control over the territory which Italy considers Abyssinia proper as distinct from the outlying provinces racially separated; (2) Italian occupation of Tigre; (3) Abyssinia to be given * port in Eritrea. They are now being studied at London. The next move, therefore, as the Times correspondent points out, lies with England and France, which will doubtless formulate their own ideas, based on knowledge of what the League is likely to accept. It is possible that Signor Mussolini will in turn submit fresh suggestions, and discussions may be expected ,to continue until an agreement on the basis of negotiation is reached or shown to be impossible.

The time factor is important, and appeals are again being made for further delay in the application of sanctions on the ground that if they become* operative while the discussions are still progressing Signor Mussolini will refuse to continue them. This is understood to be M. Laval’s opinion, but according to the Times’ Rome correspondent Italy has not and will not ask for the postponement of the sanctions.