FORTY-FOUR TO ONE.

Wairarapa Age, 6 July 1936, Page 5

FORTY-FOUR TO ONE.

League Assembly Adopts Resolution. CLOSING ITALO-ABYSSINIAN AFFAIR. LAST DESPERATE APPEAL BY ETHIOPIA. DROPPING OF SANCTIONS PROPOSED. (Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m.) GENEVA, July 4. Only Ras Nasibu loudly ejaculated “No” when the League Assembly adopted a resolution closing the Italo-Abyssinian affair after listening to a last desperate Ethiopian appeal, read by M. Mayden, on behalf of Ras Nasibu, who represented the Emperor. Ras Nasibu demanded a straight “Yes” or “No" on the Abyssinian plea that the League should not recogni.se the annexation of Abyssinia. He declared that the Ethiopian Government had repeatedly denounced aggressors. He reminded the Assembly of its position in the eyes of the world and appealed for the <eonfirmation of the vote last year condemning,ltaly aS an aggressor. Ras Nasibu added: “The proposed resolution wifi not satisfy Ethiopia. We know nothing of the subteties of procedure but do demand the Assembly to give an unequivocal vote, as the Italians have occupied only half of Abyssinia and the armies are . assembling elsewhere to march against the invaders.” The final text of the resolution was reached after many hours’ discussion. It was recognised that various circumstances prevented the integral application of the Covenant to which the Assembly was firmly attached, as it was also to other declarations,, including the South American States’ declaration of 1932, excluding a settlement of territorial questions by force. The resolution added that the Assembly, persuaded by the necessity of increasing the efficacy and security of guarantees invites Governments to forward proposals with a view to perfecting within the above limits the application of the principles of the Covenant on which the secretary will report to the Assembly next session. The resolution also proposed, in view of the situation resulting from the Italo-Abyssinian conflict, that the Committee of Co-ordination make proposals necessary to end measures adopted in the execution of Article Sixteen. This is tantamount to dropping sanctions. The Panama delegate declared tha the resolutions were timid and not worth referring to the Government. He added that a mountain of labour had brought forth a mouse. The Assembly adopted the draft resolution by 44 votes to one, Abyssinia solely opposing it. South Africa, Chile, Panama and Venezuela abstained from voting. Mexico did not attend. The assembly, by 23 votes to one, rejected the Abyssinian request for a ten million loan. There were twenty-five abstentions. It also adopted the Bureau’s report that the Ethiopian demand for non-recogflition of the annexation was covered *by the resolution, which was in more general terms. Dr. Van Zeeland, closing the meeting, said the Assembly had passed through the narrowest and darkest passage in the history of the long journey towards world peace. He condoled with the delegates in their difficult and ungrateful task and paid a tribute to the loyalty with which sanctions were carried out. Dr. Van Zeeland added: “We see no reason to reproach ourselves but must give attention to the future. The League must continue. The assembly will meet on September 21.” The Abyssinians departed with dejected looks feeling probably that it is the last time they will attend the League. The Co-ordination Committee will meet on Monday regarding the lifting of sanctions. LOCARNO POWERS. TO MEET BEFORE END OF MONTH. ITALY AND GERMANY TO BE INVITED. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) GENEVA, July 4. A communique says that as the result of conversations between M. Blum, M. Delbos, Mr. Eden and Dr. Van Zeeland it was agreed that a further meeting of the Locarno Powers should be held before the end of the month. It is understood that the meeting will be held at Brussels and that both Italy and Germany will be Invited to attend. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent says Germany will be invited to attend whether or not she has replied to the British questionnaire, though it was recognised that a constructive German reply would materially increase the chances of a successful conference. ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT.

NOW ESTABLISHED AT GORE. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) GENEVA, July 4. It is uncertain whether Haile Selassie or Ras Nasibu will be the speaker at the annual meeting of the League on September 21. Haile Selassie has advised the League secretariat that all communications to the Ethiopian Government should be directed to the legation at London. He announces that in his absence the Government has been established at Gore under Wolde Sadik and adds that Ras Imru is reorganising the military forces of the empire. EAST AFRICAN EMPIRE. CONTROL COUNCIL SET UP. (Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, July 4. Cabinet has approved Marshal Badogho, as a token of national gratitude, to enjoy the pay of a commander-in-chief of £5,000 sterling per year and has passed decrees establishing councils for administering the agriculture industry, trade, transport and control of private enterprise in the East African Empire. It has also approved an increase of the Air Force personnel in connection with the forthcoming new unit, which, it is unofficially estimated, will involve training pilots for a thousand additional machines.