ABYSSINIA’S DEFIANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 5

ABYSSINIA’S DEFIANCE

PLANS FOR DESPERATE DEFENCE HAWARIAT COMMANDS HUGE ARMY STRENUOUS EFFORTS FOR PEACE THE determination of Abyssinia not to discuss peace with Italy while an invader remains on Abyssinian soil and the heavy concentration of troops on the northern and southern fronts, especially near Makale, give rise to the expectation of major operations in the near future. The Abyssinians have breached the walls of Harrar city to facilitate a hasty retirement in case of need. Strenuous efforts to find, a basis for peace discussions are being made by M. Laval, who realises that a diplomatic success is necessary for the safety of his Government, which is threatened by domestic dangers. It is expected that at the League meeting at Geneva to-day important discussions will take place between Britain and France. The purpose of the meeting is to fix the date upon which concerted sanctions against Italy are to take effect. Britain is reported to maintain that any date after the middle of November would be too late.