CONCILIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 181, 5 August 1935, Page 7

CONCILIATION

ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE Agreement Reached at Geneva PLAN FOR NEGOTIATION PARTIES TO MEET IN PARIS (By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright] Received Aug. 4. 6.5 p.m. GENEVA. Aug. 3. Despite the postponement of yesterday afternoon’s public meeting of the League Council necessitated by the refusals of Signor Mussolini and Professor Gaston Jeze to accept the earlier compromise formula, matters have taken a favourable turn. Complete agreement has been reached on the Abyssinian resolution and Italy has also accepted the final form of agreement. The text of the draft resolution provides for resumption of the conciliation procedure regarding Walwal and other incidents, with the appointment of a fifth arbitrator, also discussion of the whole matter by the League Council on September 4. Also, Italy, I rance, and Britain, as signatories to the 1906 Treaty, agree to enter into negotiations regarding general aspects of the dispute under the terms of the treaty.

The Council considered two resolutions, the first of which provided for the resumption of the Conciliation Commission with a fifth arbitrator, although it was pointed out that the Commission must not, by its decision regarding the events at XValwal, prejudgtf questions outside its province, including whether Walwal is under Italian or Abyssinian sovereignty. The resolution also invited Italy and Abyssinia to report on this question not later than September 4. The second resolution provided for a Council meeting in any event on September 4 to undertake a general examination of Italo-Abyssinian relations.

Professor Jeze, accepting the proposals, said that despite the belief that she was right regarding Walwal, Ethiopia would again prove her determination to preserve world peace by announcing in advance acceptance without reserve of the Commission’s decision. The English newspapers receive rhe decision with mixed feelings. Hr. Garvin, in the Observer, declares that the month’s respite is illusory, as such a period is bound to elapse before military operations are practicable. The League has only asserted its indefeasible right to continue talking until war breaks out. The German newspapers arc sceptical regarding tire possibility of averting war. LAVAL SUMS UP PRESENT TASK COMPLETED GRAVITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES REMAINS Received Aug. 4, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 3. The Australian. Associated Press special correspondent al Geneva says that the council’s decision is regarded as the best that could be expected in view of the extreme difficulties. The best summary of events is contained in M. Laval’s statement: “We have completed the immediate task, but the gravity of the circumstances remains.” Probably the most cheerful outcome will be the eventual complete co-opera-tion of M. Laval and Mr. Eden, whose four days of almost continuous conversations have been chiefly responsible tor the agreement. Their formula hunting has resulted in keeping the negotiations partially within the framework of the League, while meet* ia,. the Italian desire for simultaneous extraneous discussions.

The council meeting was preceded by a British, French and Italian commun ique announcing an agreement to negotiate at the earliest possible date, with a view to facilitating the JtaloAbyssinian differences. The negotiations are expected to begin in Paris about August 14 Abyssinia will not be present at the beginning, but an Abyssinian Minister will be available. It is expected that the fifth arbitrator tor the Conciliation Commission wilj be announced in a few days. Baron Aloisi said that the Italians supported the first resolution but abstained from the second for the reasons which he gave the council on Julv 31. Mr. Eden expressed the opinion that the procedure offered the best hope for a peaceful solution of the dispute, and ho added that he would personally report thy outcome of the tripartite meetings to the council, which he hoped would be concluded tavourablv by September 4. He assured the council that the British Government would devote every effort to secure a pacific settlement in harmony with the principles of the covenant. The council carried unanimously the resolution and accepted the second. Italy abstaining. Newspaper Comment The Times, in a leader, points out that the agreement has yet to be endorsed by the council, and the only thing settled is the manner in which a solution is to be attempted. The Manchester Guardian, in a leader, declares that the draft resolution gives Signor Mussolini all he can reasonably need, and most of what

unreasonably demands. If Signor Mussolini insists on a ar, the council must condemn him as an aggressor and a violator of the Covenant, the Kellogg I act. and half a dozen separate treaties. ITALIAN VIEW CLAIMS RECOGNISED LITTLE HOPE FOR PEACE Received Aug. I. 5.5 p. ;u . ROME, Aug. Newspapers consider that the agreemenj is a complete recognition of the Italian claims, and means that the question has escaped League 'competence. Italy is not prepared to do more than state her case at the threePower discussions. Well-informed circles state frankly that the dispute can only be settled by military activity. Newspapers con tinue to attack Britain as the villain of the piece. PARIS NEGOTIATIONS NOT UNDER LEAGUE AUSPICES Received Aug. 4, 7.55 p.m. LOND'JN, Aug. 3. Ihe Australian Press Association’s Geneva correspondent stales that neither Abyssinia nor the League will participate in the forthcoming diplomatic negotiations, but Abyssinia will doubtless be kept informed of the progress and her views will weigh conat least with Britain and

I rance. Though the negotiations will not formally take place under the League auspices, in accordance with British and French desires they have the League’s sanction, since the Council will approve them. The connection of the League with the attempt to settle the dispute will thus be maintained. The whole situation is expected to be discussed at the League’s September meeting. The negotiations presuppose the acceptance of the formula by Abyssinia, which dislikes the invocation of the 1906 Treaty and at one stage yesterday even declared that, “preferred to be murdered rather than commit suicide. ’ ’ ABYSSINIA ACCEPTS Received Aug. 4, 7.55 p.m. ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 3. The Emperor, Haile Selassie, announced that he has instructed his representative at Geneva to accept Mr Eden’s and M. Laval’s proposals.