ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19659, 20 August 1935, Page 6

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

As was anticipated in view of Italy’s demands and Signor Mussolini’s uncompromising attitude, the parley between the three principally interested European Powers has proved futile, it being found impossible to find a basis for a possible solution. Britain and France formulated proposals granting considerable concessions to Italy, which it was hoped would open up the way for a peaceful settlement, hut these have been rejected by Italy, and the negotiations have ended with no progress towards a settlement. From the outset it was evident that Italy was determined on war and was not amenable to reason.

In recent years the Italian Dictator has assiduously fanned the war spirit and, whilst there are grounds for the belief that there is a very considerable section of the people who have realised whither they were being led, they have been unable to make themselves heard, for Mussolini has ruled with the mailed fist, and has not brooked interference with his schemes and purposes. But should he still prove defiant and proceed to extremities, as seems most probable, he will discover that he has undertaken a gigantic enterprise, and one which will have repercussions far wider than lie anticipates. He may talk airily of “ going forward to achieve a Fascist Empire,” but he will find tire road a rocky one and abounding in obstacles which will be difficult to overcome. To undertake a campaign in an area of 400,000 square miles, roadless, rugged and wild, with every man’s hand —12,000,000 of a fighting race —against invaders whom they hold in peculiar odium, is an ordeal which even a Mussolini cannot lightly contemplate.

Italy is comparatively a poor country. She is loaded with debt; she lacks raw material; she has no coal, iron, rubber or cotton, and these, which are absolute necessities in modern warfare, she will have to procure from foreign countries. British coal-owners recently refused to supply her, as she was dilatory in making payments, and it has been suggested that, if the countries composing the League of Nations would stand firm in a determination to withhold supplies from Italy as an aggressive Power, the campaign would necessarily he of short duration.

Added to this Italy would enter the fray with the opinion of the civilised world against her. This may seem a small matter to Mussolini, who has declared “ We will pay no attention to what may be said beyond our own frontiers.” But world opinion is not to be lightly regarded. It may prove as potent as armaments.