OIL SANCTIONS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 7

OIL SANCTIONS

Italian Viewpoint LIBERTY OF ACTION RESERVED “INSIDIOUS PROPAGANDA” )y Telegraph—Copyright—Press As. LONDON, February 25. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent - says: "Mr Anthony Eden’s speech caused surprise as it was expected that he would be more compromising toward Italy. The official reaction, according to the Government spokesman, is that Italy disagrees from the opinion .‘that an oil sanction resembles others; on the contrary, oil is -a sinew of war, therefore an oil sanction would be a military sanction. Italy consequently, reserves complete liberty of action if it is imposed or the present sanctions intensified.’ ’

The "Telegraph’s” correspondent adds: ‘‘Mr Eden’s hint of possible resumption, of the peace discussions is received with mixed feelings. Italy would not refuse to consider a proposal but would demand direct negotiations with Haili Seilassie, owing to Marshal Badoglio’s success and in the expectation of similar success; also because sanctions are not effective. Mr Eden’s statement about 1 the matter is due to misinformation.

"Italy regards the refusal to publish the Maffey report as an indication that the passages Signor Gayda did not print were derogatory to Britain.”

"The Times” Rome correspondent says: "The Italians believe that Britain’s cautious attitude toward sanctions will be increased by Mr W. E. BoralTs speech to the United States Senate, especially his criticism of the motives which induced ithe League to declare that TTaTy was the aggressor. Political circles emphasise that Mr Borah’s reference i to ‘insidious propaganda’ confirms their allegations that Britain brought pressure to bear on the United States for the purpose of persuading her to join in sanctions.”

SUCCESSFUL RAID By Telegraph—Copyright—Press As LONDON, February 24. A message from Addis Ababa claims that a large force of RSs Imru’s Gojjam raiders penetrated Adowa-Aksum line and killed 412 white Italian soldiers and destroyed 15 munition dumps and two depots each containing 30 tanks. The achievement is hailed as an effective answer to the Italian story that the ■whole of the Gojjam province is in revolt against the Emperor. Ras Imru’s raid is the first Abyssinian penetration of the Adowa-Adigrat-Aksum line. A Gojjam officer said that the Italians fought bravely for a few minutes and then turned tail, many taking refuge in tanks, which the Abyssinians charged with swords, daggers, scimitars and lances. Some Italians were surprised at Mass. A priest and the Sacrament were spared.