ITALY—EMPIRE BUILDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 111, 12 May 1936, Page 6

ITALY—EMPIRE BUILDER

\Y/ITII the ronpucst of Abyssinia completed—despite the dis- : approval of the civilised world—ltaly lias proclaimed her sovereignty over .Ethiopia. This was a natural next step. X p j to now Italy has gone her relentless way. unheeding the world around her: she has accomplished a military task nr winch she i can be proud, lor ii lias revealed a capacity for organisation for which the modern Italian has not been given credit, anil she lias j relied upon retaining the fruits of victory in consequence of the lack of cohesion among the Furopean Powers. The campaign ■ having been carried to a successful issue, a new chapter opens I up in the history of Europe. The first question which arises for solution is whether sanctions shall remain in force against Italy, or whether they shall be withdrawn. The problem is a very difficult one. Assume that a lifting of the sanctions is contemplated, or even their modification. does not this only mean that the successful burglar shall be received into respectable society simply because he has ; silenced his victim .’ On the other hand, it is not conceivable i that the Abyssinian kingdom will be re-established, nor docs | there seem to be any prospect of the Powers asserting their wiil ! ami compelling Italy io relinquish her East African prize. Italy ■ seemingly is permanently in possession of Ethiopia, and that fact will have io be accepted, and a new modus vivendi established. How this new way of living together will be established is as yet by no means clear. The Italians have always been able ,lo produce first-class diplomats, while the British Colonial and Foreign Offices are manned by a high-class personnel. It can be assumed therefore, that the new basis will be established in the not distant future, although it can be expected that neither side will rush its fences.