A NATION ON THE MARCH

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 7

A NATION ON THE MARCH

STATEMENT BY SIGNOR MUSSOLINI

FRANKLY DISCUSSES ITALY’S INTENTIONS

BRITISH INTERESTS COMPLETELY SAFEGUARDED.

(Official Wireless. —Received Aug. 24, i p.m.)

RUGBY, August 23.

A British United Press copyright message says: — “ The solution of the Ethiopian problem must be radical and conclusive. Ethiopia cannot continue as a modern weapon, not an ancient lance, pointed at Italy’s back.”, In this way Signor Mussolini concluded an interview in which he frankly discussed Italy’s attitude. He declared that Abyssinia had been hostile to Italy for forty years, consistently disregarding the 1928 treaty of friendship, attacking Italian soldiers, killing officials and civilians, and preparing an army to attack Italian forces. Therefore Italy had decided to secure respect for her rights. Such action in Abyssinia could not influence the development of European collaboration, to which Italy is still disposed entirely to adhere.. Signor Mussolini continued: “The Stresa agreements and European equilibrium could be endangered only by creating a legend of perils to Europe resulting from a colonial campaign. The Italian operations did not differ from those of other colonial Powers in Africa and Asia. “A nation on the march, such as Italy, could not be stopped by a static conception of the life of peoples. ■ Such a conception greatly endangered world peace. “The League, if it desired to live, must realise this danger, which anyhow, the Covenant, Articles 19 and 22, envisaged.” Asked whether Italy in the event of war, would search neutral vessels, Signor Mussolini promised that he would adhere strictly to international law. He added that Britain, in the 1891 and 1894 protocols, recognised that almost all Ethiopia was included in the sphere of Italian influence. The three-Power treaty of 1908 confirmed this. Britain’s interests in the Nile waters were specially recognised in the accord between Signor Mussolini and Sir Ronald Graham, British Ambassador to Italy, in 1925. Therefore Britain’s local interests were completely safeguarded. Western nations might despair of the future if their present disturbing depopulation should accompany a renunciation of the right to send civilising missions to people ignorant of civilisation.