ABYSSINIAN CRISIS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 158, 13 July 1935, Page 2

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS

Britaia’s Attitude — DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT SOME DRAMATIC EXCHANGES By Telegraph—Copyright—Press As LONDON, July 12. • JSIr David Lloyd George and Sir Austen Chamberlain engaged in verbal exchanges in the House of Commons during the debate on the international situation. When Abyssinia was mentioned Mr Lloyd George urged the use against Italy of economic sanctions short of war. Sir Austen denied the value of talking about sanctions unless war was meant, iand Conse<rvative cheers and Labour counter-cheers greeted the subsequent exchanges. The House of Commons was crowded and tho galleries were filled when Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, delivered his eag-erly-awaited speech surveying the international Sdtutation. Sir Herbert Samuel said that some of Signor Mussolini’s utterances were si aster, but perhaps they might see Il Duce at tho eleventh hour agree 'to a settlement which would enable him to go down in history as an Italian statesman who had achieved peace with honour. Britain ought not to leave Italy in ignorance of the feeling hero if action were taken cutting at the root of the principle of collective security. Major C. R. Attlee submitted an anti-Government resolution. He said that Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech was retrograde, showing no clear policy. If there were nothing but temporising and parleying with the forces of disorder throughout 'the world there could be no attempt <to make Europe stand up for the rule of law against the rule of force. Mr Winston Churchill said he was glad to hear that Britain was not going to act individually. Britain was not strong enough ,t!o act as both lawgiver and policeman of the world. Mr D. Lloyd George said that the League had been flouted repeatedly and no action had been taken. He described Stresa as a fatuous piece of bluster and added: “We must begin afresh and see if lit is possible to devise some covenant by which the nations will stand and civilisation be saved. ” There was a dramatic passage when Mr Lloyd George was asked what could be done to stop Germany rearming and stop Italy. He replied: “Economic sanctions short of war.” Sir Austen Chamberlain: It is-no good talking about economic sanctions unless you mean war (Conservative cheers). Mr Lloyd George: Then what is the good of putting those words into the Geneva resolution (Labour cheers). Sir Austen: Mr Lloyd George says he would never have allowed the situation to reach the present 'Stage. Would he have proposed to France—who never proposed it to us—that France’s army should have marched into Germany when, it became evident, that Germany was rearming? (cries of ‘ ‘ answer ”). Mr Lloyd George, instead of answering shouted, “What do you mean by ‘economic sanctions’?” Sir Austen Chamberlain replied that he meant a blockade, which would be as effective as an act of war. Nothing short of war could make sanctions effective. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he must take the risk of saying we were prepared to fulfil our obligations to the collective system. We should ,say that even et the risk of others refusing. Mr R. A. Eden, Minister for League Affairs, said that, conciliation machinery having broken down, the Government had been in consultation with the French Government regarding Abyssinia. There was no invitation on our part to France to join in. economic sanctions against Italy. Britain ’>s endeavour was to discover whether France had any constructive suggestion to make to promote settlement of the dispute. We have made our contribution. It was now France’s turn to make hers. Major Attlee’s motion was negatived by 236 votes to 40. CONTINENTAL REACTIONS BRITAIN MUST TREAD WARRff LONDON, July 12. The Continent Speedily received full

mtfwk -»i —vnmiwimr ■www.-ibw— * reports of Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech, li Rome the first reaction is satisfaction that Italy’s need for expansion is recognised, but disappointment is felt that no definite statement is forthcoming regarding the British Governments intention. An important matter from the Italian standpoint is that Britain will cease to give tacit support to Abyssinia, which (encourages hostility. It is realised that) Britain's desire is to return to the solidarity evident at Stresa ,and that mistrust on the Continent is not yet dispelled. Therefore Britain must tread warily. The “Tribuna” says: We ar!e in Africa and shall remain. We are not going to Geneva, which will mean only new domplications. The “Tageblatt” prints the speech on the front page without comment.

Paris diplomatic quarters state that therle is an impression extremely favourable to the conception underlying the utterance, which is regarded as coinciding with the French attitude. ITALY DETERMINED TRUCULENT ATTITUDE ETHIOPIA ROME, July 12. Signor Mussolini, addressing .120 Black Shirt generals and higher grade officers on the leve of their departure flor East Africa emphasised that Italy is determined to arrive at a full settlement of the Abyssinian quarrel, both from the point of view of prestige and national interest. Italy could not remain at the mercy of the Abyssinian disorderliness and provocative truculence. ITALIAN SOLDIER STONED LONDON, July 12. “The Times’” Rome correspondent says that new incidents at Harrar, including Abyssinian natives stoning an Italian native soldier attached to the Italian Consulate, against, which Italy officially protested, led to a notable hardening of Italian opinion in the last 24 hours, and the popular belief now is that a fixed settlement is possible only through arms. ARMS FOR ABYSSINIA LONDON, July 11. The Giove,mment has received several applications for licenses to export 1 arms to Abyssinia, but has not granted | them pending consd deration. No application has been received in respect to Italy, but it is understood that all applications are being treated | in the same way. i