SAD CHRISTMAS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1935, Page 7

SAD CHRISTMAS

NOT A WORD OF PEACE ITALIANS VIEWPOINT PARIS PLAN STILL ALIVE “TEMPEST THREATENING” PRESS SHOWS ANXIETY By Telegraph—Presjs Assn.—Copyright. London, Dec. 26. The Rome correspondent of the Times says that the general uneasiness and anxiety overhanging the “saddest Christmas since the war” is reflected in a lengthy examination of the situation in the Osservatore Romano, in which the writer laments the absence of a single word of conciliation or the possibility of settlement. . He adds that the squall on the horizon threatens to become a tempest and emphasises that Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech on December 19 was an authoritative exposition of the situation. Nevertheless he contends that the Paris proposals are still alive both for the League and for France, and expresses the opinion that the League has only placed the plan in cold storage, while France demands negotiated peace. Accordingly M. Laval will continue his efforts, trying everything within the orthodoxy of the League, whose sanctions will not exclude negotiations. Meanwhile ulterior developments will depend on the Laval Cabinet’s stability and the outcome of the British soundings of the Mediterranean Powers and the appointment of Mr. R. A. Eden as Foreign Secretary. The British diplomatic steps are worrying the writer, as is also the French naval cruise. Signor Gayda, re-examining Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech, sums up the objection to the Paris proposals by declaring that they go less far than the treaties between 1891 and 1925, which he declares retain full validity between Britain and Italy, hence it is interesting to know whether they are now regarded as scraps of paper. AEROPLANE SHOT DOWN DANAKIL DESERT ACTION EFFECT OF SANCTIONS Rec. 5.5 p.m. Harrar, Dec. 26. The Abyssinian forces shot down an Italian plane at Dagabur. The Abyssinians, who were hiding in a pit, were not seen by the occupants of the machine, which swooped low, bringing it within range of rifle fire. Two of the crew escaped, but the third was reported to have been Captured and decapitated. An Asmara cable states that the Italian forces are reported to have defeated a band of 150 armed Abyssinians who were crossing the Danakil desert to obtain supplies of salt. The British United Press special correspondent at Massawa declares that the sanctions have not affected great quantities of material daily being unloaded at Massawa, thoughthe character of the goods is changing. A month ago many American cars were landed. To-day they are all Italian. Independent business men state that sanctions have not lessened sea traffic but have increased the volume of Italian commerce. Italy has been forced to manufacture articles like machinery and pottery formerly obtained from abroad. The Hargeisa correspondent of the Daily Mail says eleven lorries passed there to-day en route to Abyssinia containing the first consignment of 509 tons of arms and ammunition reported to have been landed at Berbers from British steamers. It consists of 15,000,000 rounds of ammunition, 4000 rifles, and 36 antitank guns.j The ship’s steward, an exAustrian officer, will proceed inland to instruct the Ethiopians to operate the anti-tank guns.