Italy’s Case

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 199, 26 August 1935, Page 7

Italy’s Case

STATED BY MUSSOLINI RESPECT FOR HER RIGHTS (By Telegraph—Preae Association —Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 23. ‘•The solution of the Ethiopian problem must be radical and conclusive. Ethiopia cannot continue as a modern weapon nor as an ancient lance pointed at Italy’s back,” declared I Signor Mussolini in concluding a British United Press Association copyright interview in which he frankly discussed Italy’s attitude. He declared that Aby.-sinia had been hostile to Italy for forty years, consistently disregarding the 1928 Treaty of friendship, attacking Italian m*ldiars, killing officials and civilians, and preparing the army to attack the Italian forces, and therefore Italy had decided to secure respect fur her rights. Such action in Abyssinia could not influence the development of European collaboration, to which Italy was still disposed entirely to adhere. The Stresa agreements and European equilibrium could be endangered, he continued, only by creating a legend of perils to Europe resulting from a . colonial campaign. The Italian operations wore not different from those of other colonial powers in Africa and ' Asia. A nation on the inarch such as . Italy could not be stopped by a static . conception of the life of peoples. Such . a conception greatly endangered world peace. The League, if it desired to live; must realise this danger, which, moreover, Articles 19 and 22 of '*e Covenant envisaged. Safeguarding of British Interests Asked whether Italy in the event of war would search neutral vessels, Signor Mussolini promised that she ’would adhere strictly to international law. He added that Britain in the 1891 and 1894 Protocols recognised that almost all of Ethiopia was included in the sphere of Italian influence. The Three-Power Treaty of 1908 confirmed this. Britain’s interests in the Nile waters were specially recognised in the accord between Signor Mussolini and Sir Donald Graham, British Ambassador to Italy, in 1925, and therefore Britain’s local interests would be completely safeguarded. Western nations might despair of the future if their present disturbing depopulation should be accompanied by renunciation of the right to send civilising missions to people ignorant of civilisation. PLAIN REPLY DEMANDED THREAT TO THE LEAGUE. OBJECT OF ARTICLE 19. LONDON, Aug. 23. The Daily Herald in a leading article commenting on the interview with Signor Mussolini, considers that it demands a plain reply that wa> is not justified by an assertion, even if it is true, that Abyssinia is a modern weapon pointed at Italy’s back, because Abyssinia has agreed to submit any dispute to the League and abide by its decisions. Signor Mussolini suggests that so tremendous a movement as Rome’s return to imperial status is not governed by the Covenant. Such, a theory smashes the League to smithereens and brings the world face to face with ruin. If Italy can make such a claim so can Germany. lu League circles Signor Mussolini’s statement is regarded as the most forcible he has yet made regarding Italy’s attitude towards the League, but it is pointed out that Article 19 was designed to ensure peaceful revision of treaties and international questions, whereas Italy is determined to resort to revision by force. Article 22 provides that backwaid races may be placed under the tutelage of more civilised nations holding a League mandate, but Signor Musbvlini refused this when England and France suggested it at the recent Three-Power Conference in Paris. NOT YET SOUGHT DOMINIONS’ VIEWS. LEAGUE AND SUEZ CLOSURE. LONDON, Aug. 23. While the League Council should have appreciably pr< • reused with its investigation of the d spuie before the Assembly meets on September 9, the Council will probablv y:t concurrently with the Assembly, which will also participate in the eoi id eration of the problem. It is understood thrt Britain has not yet formally sought the Dominions’ views, but the Foreign Secretary, Sir ■Samuel Hoare, is un.ikely to go to Geneva ignorant of their intentions. All the Dominions are represented in the Assembly, but only Australia ou tho Council, there >rc Sir Samuel Hoare must be apprai-e<l of the extent to which he is tmp-rverod to speak for others. Though Cabinet li; -."I, considered whether tho League <■ u close the Suez Canal, experts believe that if sanctions are enforced the Treaty of 1888 compels the granting Io i’ll nations of free passage in peace or war. CANADA WILLING 1 ECONOMIC REPRISALS ACTION AGAINST ITALY (■IT \\\ ’ . Aug. 23. The Canadian High ',onimlssioner in London has been authorised to pledge Canadian willingness to join the League in economic reprisals against Italy. ITALIAN DESERTERS INTERNED IN SWITZERLAND. Received Aug, 25, 6.5 p.m. GENEVA, Aug. 2J. Six Italian soldiers, hearing that their regiments were going to Africa, escaped to t itznrland, where they were interned p ■:. i.ng the Government’s Revisi t Tnree arrived exhausted after ' ' -g the Saint Bernard I’ass.