EMPIRE PERIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 28 August 1935, Page 7

EMPIRE PERIL

i IF BRITAIN ACTS ALONE | ANOTHER WORLD WAR MR. W. M. HUGHES’ WARNING [By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, Aug. 27. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia during the war, discussing the Abyssinian situation, declared that the position was extremely serious and pregnant with incalculable consequences. ‘‘We arc told that the British Government is determined to honour its obligations,’’ he said. “If this means that, in the event of the League Council deciding that Italy is in the wrong, Britain, single handed, will attempt to enforce an economic boycott on Italy or to restrain her by direct action, a situation will be created which may gravely imperil the existence of the British Empire. Intervention by armed forces composed of quotas furnished by all the members of the League is one thing, and action by Britain alone is quite another. Britain is urged to intervene in this dispute between Italy and Abyssinia in order to maintain peace. No more certain way of loosing the dogs of war for another and still more terrible world conflict can be imagined.” STRONGER GARRISONS AT MALTA AND ADEN TROOPS LEAVE NEXT WEEK [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Aug. 26. In accordance with plans made by 1 the War Office to give effect to the decision to bring the establishments of the garrisons at Malta and Aden into line with, modern conditions, announced in Parliament when the Estimates were presented early this year, the transport Neujalia will sail from Southampton next Tuesday with 1200 troops for Malta. The usual garrisoning arrangements in peace time provide for married mon to be accompanied, if desired, by their wives and children, and in the present case about 80 families will sail with the men on the Neuralia. The transport is expected back at Southampton by October 2 to take her place with th e other four transports now in the Southampton docks in the trooping reason’s normal schedule. AUSTRALIA PLEDGED SUPPORT TO BRITAIN EFFORTS FOR PEACE LONDON, Aug 26 Whitehall appreciated Mr. J. A. Lyons’ pledge of Australia’s utmost support of the British peace efforts. While it is understood that individual Dominions’ viewpoints have not yet formally been communicated to the Foreign Office, Mr. Lyons’ statement, following General Smuts’ recent declaration and Mr. Forbes’ unequivocal announcement, is regarded as ensuring that the British line at Geneva will represent the feeling of the entire Empire. POSSIBILITY OF WAR EFFECT IN “THE CITY” TENDENCY OF STIRLING LONDON, Aug. 26. _ Discussing the effects of the possibility of war on Britain’s financial position, the Daily Telegraph's financial writer says that last week the Stock Exchange recognised the existence of a very awkward situation. Jobbers took the precaution of reducing prices. Investors and speculators, professional and private, kept their heads. Tho paucity of selling surprised most experienced dealers. ‘‘There seems to be no reason why this steady attitude should not be maintained,’’ he says, ‘‘until tho League’s decision is known. If the world thought this country was steering to war the effect on the rate of the pound sterling would be seen very quickly, but the tendency of sterling recently bas been to appreciate, and this is more notable because it is contrary to the usual seasonal trend. There is evidence that both the leaders of the rank and file of the City and investing public are calmly surveying al! eventualities in a realistic frame of mind. The worst that the City looks for is a certain measure of hostilities in Abyssinia and a fresh period of grave uncertainty in Europe, but it recognises that nothing which is likely to happen need change the fundamental basis of British progress.” AIR ATTACK REALITIES BEWILDERED NATIVES EXPLANATIONS BY POLICE LONDON, Aug 26. Sir Percival Phillips, writing to the Daily Telegraph from Addis Ababa, says that the ignorant peasancry remains bewildered and unable to grasp the grim realities of air attack. For <» week now an Abyssinian aeroplane has been circling the city in order to accustom natives to aircraft. The police are explaining to them exactly what it does, including tho “dropping of weapons which make a big no’so and destroy buildings.” TROOPS FOR AFRICA ITALY SPEEDING UP Received Aug. 27, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 27. The Daily Mail’s Rome correspondent says: “As the end of the rainy season approaches, Italy is speeding up the dispatch of troops to East Africa. Two thousand more sailed from Naples on August 26. All pleasure cruises from Italian ports have been stopped, I enabling more vessels to be available.”