SLAVERY CHARGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 167, 19 July 1935, Page 7

SLAVERY CHARGES

A REPLY TO ITALY ETHIOPIA WILL FIGHT IF ITALIANS CROSS FRONTIER (Times Cables . LONDON, July 17. Ihe Addis Ababa correspondent of 1 he Times says that the Emperor, in an exclusive interview, said that he desired a League discussion concerning the dispute with Italy by July 27). Before that date Abyssinia would not take diplomatic steps, but would nevertheless reply tu any direct suggestions from Britain. He acknowledged the value of the 1906 Treaty as an instrument of jiacilication, but Britain was the only co-signatory which now mentioned its application, and in face of .Signor Mussolini’s actions it seemed valueless. The Emperor was delighted at the attitude of the British Foreign Minister (Sir Samuel Hoare) and the Minister for League of Nations Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden), and said he was not averse to a free hand for Britain in a constructive peace effort. If Italy’s argument for the conquest of Abyssinia was civilisation, slavery was not limited to Abyssinia, but flourished in Tripoli and Eritrea, which the Italians could not deny. Supply of Arms. . The Treaty of 1931 allowed Abyssinia to import arms and maintain her independence, but she could not do so if Italy was allowed to send munitions while Abyssinian licences were withheld. If Italy declared war or troops dared to cross the frontiers, Ethiopia would fight, simultaneously appealing to the League. NOW ONLY A RIPPLE RED SEA SLAVE TRAFFIC HOUSE OF LORDS DISCUSSION [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, July 17. Tire subject of slavery was discussed ia the House of Lords to-night in connection with the recent report of the Slavery Committee of the League of Nations. Lord Cecil and the Archbishop of Canterbury paid a tribute to the work of British Governments for the last 100 years and since the war at Geneva in support of the movement for the suppression of slavery. The Archbishop complained of the need for more information from certain areas and advocated a special agreement regarding traffic in slaves in territories round the Red Sea and other places. With regard to Abyssinia, he said it was only fair to recognise that the Emperor was trying to suppress slavery there, in spite of difficulties.

Lord Noel Buxton and Lord Folwarth spoke to the same effect in referring to their personal experiences in Abyssinia.

Lord Folwarth said that the Emperor of Abyssinia had told him and Lord Buxton in 1932 that slavery would be extinct in twelve years, and certainly in twenty years. His own people gave the number of slaves as between 500,000 and 600,000, and accepting the official figure, 3643 slaves had been liberated during the past year. It was clear that it would be a long time at that rate before slavery was extinct. Support to League’s Work. Replying_to the debate, Lord Stanhope, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that the Government was anxious to increase the influence and power of the League’s Slavery Committee and would give to its work their fullest possible support. With regard to the Red Sea traffic, he claimed that preventive measures in which British forces took part had reduced a big stream to a ripple. Lord stanhope added that the idea of a convention of the Bowers round the Red Sea was receiving attention. Mr. Anthony Eden’s recommendation for a special meeting of the League of Nations Committee on slavery to be held in 1936 would bo considered by the Assembly in September.