MORE TROOPS FOR AFRICA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 229, 30 September 1935, Page 7

MORE TROOPS FOR AFRICA

ITALY ISSUES COMMUNIQUE NO INTENTION TO TAKE INITIATIVE AT GENEVA WILL MEET BRITISH INTERESTS IN EAST AFRICA I i-’y Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received Sept. 29, 6.15 p.m. ROME, Sept. 28. Signor Mussolini presided at the Council of Ministers. A communique states: “It was decided that Italy will not leave the League until the League assumes full responsibility for measures against Italy.” The communique adds: “The Italian policy lias no immediate or remote aims likely to injure British interests. On the contrary, Italy is ready to negotiate an agreement harmonising with legitimate interests in East Africa, and will avoid action extending the Abyssinian conflict to Europe. However, Italy cannot take seriously the Emperor’s withdrawal of troops from the frontier, which has a strategic and not a pacific object. It masks preparations in the interior, fortifying the Ethiopian troops in stronger positions. Consequently, the sailings of Italian divisions have been accelerated.” The communique stresses the nation’s calmness and support for the Fascist regime, which will shortly show the world a thorough civil mobilisation unprecedented in history. Italy is not taking the initiative at Geneva, where her rights have been disregarded from the outset.

COMMUNIQUE SHATTERS FRENCH HOPES,

EARLY REASSEMBLY OF LEAGUE COUNCIL. Received Sept. 29, 7.55 p.m. PARIS, Sept. 29. The Italian communique has shattered the remaining hopes that Signor Mussolini might, at the eleventh hour, offer to negotiate under the auspices of the League. The most optimistic do not believe that Britain will enter into direct negotiations. France’s next step is to be decided by Cabinet next week, when it is believed that M. Laval will accede to Mr. Eden’s request to speed up the procedure leading to the early reassembling of the Council.

AN APPEAL TO BRITAIN.

COMMENTATORS EMPHASISE FRIENDLINESS. Received Sept. 29, 7.40 p.m. ROME, Sept. 29. The communique is interpreted as an appeal to Britain to reconsider her attitude towards Italy’s “rightful” claims. Commentators emphasise its friendliness to Britain, also the unusual procedure in pointing out to the “British people, despite the efforts of anti-Faseists to mislead them,” Italy’s readiness to negotiate with. British interests in East Africa. Nevertheless, the newspapers have resumed their attacks on Britain.

EMPEROR S PLANS

IK EVENT OF WAR PREVENTING DECISIVE RESULTS SANCTIONS WILL DEFEAT Italy . Received Sept. 29, 6.25 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 28. Sir Percival Phillips, the Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent, reports that th'e Emperor will refrain from general mobilisation until he is absolutely certain that danger to his frontiers can no longer be averted. He is waiting further advice from his European observers, and only when they assure him that the last word has been said, will he call on every Abyssinian capable of bearing arms to rally to the defence of the country. He believes that even if the entire Weight of the Italian forces now assembled in East Africa were thrown against him, he would be able, by skilfully carried out guerilla operations, to prevent a decisive result for the first three months. After that Italy is expected to collapse economically and financially under the weight of sanctions, which it is assumed will by then be applied. “Air raids on Abyssinia won’t win the war for Italy,” said Sir Percival. ‘‘Abyssinia is the only country in the world with a movable capital. The present one has no historic significance and can be readily changed without impairing the natives’ morale. The principal sufferers in such raids would be the European community which carries on the bulk of the trade and commerce.

The Suez Canal. The Daily Herald discloses that a special meeting of the Suez Canal directors is being held in Paris next week-end to discuss the situation in view of the possible application of sanctions. Britain will be represented by Earl Cromer and Sir lan Malcolm, and France by M. M. Doumergue, Weygand and others. Though the 1888 convention immunised the canal from a naval blockade, internationalised it, and also declared it open in peace time and war time without distinction of flag, many international lawyers hold that. Article 20 of the League Covenant, which abrogates all international conventions inconsistent with itself, could also abrogate the canal convention. It is further assumed that if the canal were closed, Italian supply ships could be prevented from penetrnting th'e Straits of Gibraltar on the alternative route round South. Africa.

Supplies for Greece. The Times' Athens correspondent says the councils of national and economic defence have decided, in case international affairs take a more serious turn, to complete Greece’s war supplies and ensure an adequacy of raw materials.

AVOIDING INCIDENTS

ABYSSINIANS WITHDRAW FROM FRONTIER Received Sept. 29, 7.10 p.m. GENEVA, Sept. 28. The League has telegraphed Emperor Selassie appreciating his decision to withdraw his troops 20 miles from the frontier in order to avoid the possibility of untoward incidents.