AN URGE FOR PEACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 12, 15 January 1936, Page 7

AN URGE FOR PEACE

APPROACH TO FRANCE LEAGUE COMMITEEE MOOTED MUSSOLINI'S CHANGED TUNE FRENCH ANTI ITALLAN PEELING GROWS. ITALIAN MUTINY CONFIRMED IBr Telegraph—Pres* Association— Copyright) Received Jan. 14, 8.26 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 14. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that it is understood that Signor Cerutti, Italian Ambassador at Paris, has conveyed to M. Laval Signor Mussolini’s request for M. Laval’s support for the appointment of a League Committee of Investigation to proceed to Abyssinia. Apparently Signor Mussolini hopes that such committee’s report of conditions on the spot might lead to a basis of settlement acceptable to Italy. Responsible French opinion, however, does not favour the proposal. AntiItalian feeling is steadily hardening, while M. Laval himself is disinclined to take further initiative without real hope of success. It is pointed out that Signor Mussolini’s project would arouse more enthusiasm if it was accompanied by an intimation of readiness to suspend hostilities. The principal Interest in the proposal lies in an indication that whatever Signor Mussolini may be saying at home,

he is now speaking a very different language abroad. It is also held to show that Signor Mussolini’s preference for forcible methods has been diminished by their hitherto unfruitful and unpleasant consequences. Britain and Oil Sanctions. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that Cabinet is diseasing oil sa: tions in readiness for the League meeting on January 20. It is understood that Mr. Anthony Eden will press Cabinet for approval of a policy on the lines of election declarations. Exodus From Tyrol. The Standard’s special correspondent at Innsbruck says that sinoe the outbreak of the war 10,000 Tyroleans have fled to Austria. Italian Propaganda. The Italian war propaganda is nnw being regularly broadcast in Hindustani, states a message from Rome. Belgium and the War. The Times’ Brussels correspondent scouts the story of Royal intervention in the Abyssinian war as fantastic. Rome officially confirms this, denying tht Italy is in any urgent need of peace. Mutiny Report Confirmed. The Standard’s special correspondent despatched to Southern Tyrol to investiagte the anti Italian demonstration.- among the German-speaking populace, confirms the reports of the Mera no mutiny, and states that troops are daily drafted from Italy to maintain order. He adds that the frontier villages are filled with soldiers and armed police, protected by barbed wire. The unrest, nevertheless, is increasing. Ten thousand deserters after the outbreak of the war reported to the relief organisations, who found some of them work ojfarms, and in hotels. Numbers have been sent to concentration camps in Switzerland, Yugoslavia and Germany. The major cause of resentment is that Italy is calling up all motor drivers in South Tyrol, because mountain experience is invaluable in Abyssinia. One driver abandoned his car on a snowy mountain side and tramped to the Innsbruck. The relief organisations cover 500 miles of frontier and help deserters. A prominent member, Dr. Edward Reutnicolussi, discloses that 1700 Ger-man-speaking deserters have taken refuge in Germany and Austria. A detachment of the Italian army crossed the frontier and surrendered machineguns and rifles to the North Tyrol Police. Disturbances marked the entrainment of a Tyrolean officer and reservists for the fmnt. Arrests were numerous. Italians Bomb Dabat. The Italians bombed Dabat, 75 milenorth of Lake Tsana, says a message from Addis Ababa. There were no casualties and little damage. Dr. Junod states that he is advising the International Red Cross at Geneva to withdraw all its units from Abyssinia unless the Italians definitely guarantee not to bomb them. No doubt the bombing of the Swedish Red Cross was deliberate. The remainder of the unit are now living in terror of their lives, and are forced to treat the wounded in the surrounding forests out of sight of possible raiders. Encounters Near Makale. An Asmara message states that operations around Makale, where th? situation is confusing, flared up into fierce encounters, the Abyssinians pressing home vigorous attacks, which the Italians repulsed with aeroplanes and artillery, driving back the Abyssinians all along the line and checking their attempts to hold the adjacent mountain passes. The Italians claim to have killed I<H» and wounded 100 Abyssinians and take.i many prisoners. More Italian Expenditure. The Times’ Rome correspondent savs that a Royal decree authorises the expenditure of £10.000,000 for the extraordinary needs in East Africa and relief of the needy families of those at the front.