A LIMITED HOLD.

Wairarapa Age, 3 July 1936, Page 5

A LIMITED HOLD.

POSITION OF THE ITALIANS IN AB YSS INI A. MORE DEMANDS.' AT GENEVA. j. ?.; b(Received Thursday, 9.35 p.m.*y RONDON, July 2. Sir Sidney Barton, British Minister in Addis Ababa, has returned to London. Interviewed by the * ‘ News-Chronicle,*’ he declared that nobody knew the real state of affairs in Abyssinia. i ‘Actually the Italians occupy only two narrow strips of the country,” he said. “They cannot be said to be occupying it in a true sense at all. The country as a whole has not submitted.” The 4 4 Manchester Guardian ’s ' ’ diplomatic correspondent says news reaching London confirms reports that the Italians are having serious difficulties in Abyssinia. There is, of course, no general of organised * Abyssinian rally, but bands of Abyssiriians are fiercely resisting the Italians, even if only sporadically. Severe fighting is reported to have oecurned, in the Neighbourhood of Ankomar, in which a number of Italian officers killed. Even in Addis Ababa, the position of the Italians is not altogether' secure, and outside the town there iiK'no safety except iti strong flet&hmehtK * * The Times” Rotne correspondent W® fhe, Italian; .memorandum of June 30 guarantees 44 fajr treatment in Abyssinia for the trade of all countries, ’ ’ but according, to Signor Gayda •this is to be made dependent bn the recognition of Italian sovereignty over Abyssinia. He also asserts that in addition to the lifting of sanctions, there must be a revision of the League's aggpasaion, verdict before Italy can resume full European collaboration. The nations ar6 again warned that a turning point has been reached and that a choice must be made between co-opera-tion with Italy and policies that will drive Italy back upon 4 4 defensive but not passive positions.” The choice, he asserts, rests with each sanctionist Government individually and cannot be circumvented by "fictions of collectivity.” A). . ’ -“M i F "