ITALY & SANCTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, 30 May 1936, Page 5

ITALY & SANCTIONS.

REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO BRITAIN. THREAT TO LEAVE LEAGUE. FOREIGN SECRETARY’S REPLY. (Received Friday, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 28. The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says that at Signor Mussolini’s request, Signor Grandi (Italian Ambassador) visited Mr. A. Eden (Foreign Secretary) and intimated that if sanctions were continued, Italy would have to consider her League membership and also the extent to which she could co-operate in the future settlement of European affairs. - The lifting of sanctions would, in the Italian Government’s opinion, relieve the present European situation and produce a means for stabilising conditions and establishing the peace which the Powers desired. Italy had no aggressive intentions. The restoration of good relations between Italy and Britain was , Signor Mussolini’s main object. Mr. Eden replied that while Britain desired to enjoy good relations with Italy, the raising of sanctions was a League matter. Nevertheless he undertook to communicate Signor Grandi’s statement to Cabinet. SERIOUS DESIRE. STATEMENT OF THE ITALIAN ATTITUDE. ROME, May 28. In regard to Signor Mussolini’s statement to the “Daily Telegraph,” semiofficial circles consider that the cause of conciliation is likely to be best served by not pressing for repeal of sanctions and that it would be better to allow them to die a natural death than to risk a-premature unsuccessful demand for repeal at' Geneva. Italy is therefore unlikely to send a delegation. Italian propaganda in Palestine is vigorously denied. It is also stated that Britain is free to keep her troops and legation at Addis Ababa if She desires, as Italy most seriously desires an entente with Britain.

FRENCH REPORT.

ALLEGATIONS OF MALICIOUS PROPAGANDA.

PARIS, May 28. “L’Oeuvre” understands that Whitehall has received detailed reports of Italy’s intention secretly to continue the attempt to undermine Britain’s position in the Near East, and adds that Britain is negotiating with Greece and Turkey for naval bases in the East Mediterranean. MERCANTILE PLANS. DEVELOPMENT OF ETHIOPIA. LONDON, May 28. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says that the Government has approved of a scheme hy the Fascist Mercantile Federation for the economic development of Abyssinia, embodying the dispatch by air to-day of a commercial mission to examine problems on the spot, open emporiums, and establish warehouses. The army is placing elementary municipal services on a working basis. A column of a thousand lorries laden with equipment has left Makale for Addis Ababa.