WAR OF AGGRESSION EMPEROR HAILI SELASSIE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19760, 16 December 1935, Page 7

WAR OF AGGRESSION

EMPEROR HAILI SELASSIE

DANGER TO THE WORLD. ABYSSINIA'S NOTE TO THE LEAGUE MUST NOT CREATE A PREJUDICIAL PRECEDENT. (Official Wireless.) (Received Dee. 16, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 15. The Abyssinian note to the League of Nations on the Paris proposals declared its conviction that the problem ol a pacific settlement, putting an end to Italian aggression, does not concern Ethiopia alone. It lias often been repeated that, apart from the war of aggression undertaken by Italy against Ethiopia, there is a conflict between Italy, which is declared to have broken the Covenant, and the League of Nations, which is the sovereign guarantor of the system of collective security provided for by the Governments for the benefit of all members of the League without distinction of strength, colour or race. In the present circumstances it is the Ethiopian Government’s imperative duty to do nothing which can contribute towards creating a precedent prejudicial to any States, members of the League of Nations. If it did, each of these States would he entitled to reproach the Ethiopian Government with having deprived it of the means of discussing publicly before the Assembly a problem which is vital to the future of the League of Nations and to the security of each State member. Abyssinia therefore asks for a meeting of the Assembly.

THE POSITION OUTLINED. PROMOTING A SETTLEMENT. NOTICES SENT TO BELLIGERENTS. A BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS. (orncliil wireless.) (Received Dec. IC, J.O p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 15. Tiie White Paper issued by the Government contains, in addition to the text of the proposals drafted in Paris, the instructions sent by the Foreign Secretary to the British' Ambassador in Rome and the British •Minister in Addis Ababa on December lU. These are preceded by the report of the League's Committee of Five of September 18 last and the respective replies thereto of llic Italian and Ethiopian representatives, and by telegram from Sir Samuel ltoarc at Geneva describing the session of the Coordination Committee on November 2. at which the efforts of the French and British Governments to promote a settlement of the contlict were welcomed. In the telegrams of December 10 British representatives were instructed to make, jointly with their blench colleagues, a communication to Signor Mussolini and Emperor Jiaili Selassie, which in each case begins by stating that before the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen arranged tor December 12 the British and French Governments, acting in accordance with the wishes expressed in Ihe Co-ordina-tion Committee on November 2, and anxious to see an early end put lo the I talo-Abyssinian conflict, have endeavoured to draw up.a basis of agreement. Italian Aspirations. In the telegram to Rome the Governments give an assurance of their anxiety to talce account of Italian aspirations, in so far as these can be made compatible with the principles of the Covenant of the League ol Nations and respect for Ethiopian sovereignty. In both communications they state that they are convinced that the arrangement to he come to should be drawn up under the direction of the Committee of Five, which received from the Council of the League of Nations in September last its mandate of conciliation, and they have decided lo make certain suggestions urgently to that Committee, and add that in order to make sure that Signor .Mussolini and the Emperor would accept die basis of negotiations in principle, without prejudice to the result of the discussions which would subsequently lake place before Ihe Committee, they are communicating the proposals to them in strict confidence. Convinced that Signor Mussolini and Emperor Haiti Selassie will appreciate the friendly spirit which inspired their communication, the Governments address to eacli of them an urgent appeal that lie would without delay take paid in the negotiations for improving Ihe international situation, with the most favourable prospects. Calling Together of Committee. To Rome they joined to this appeal a statement that they hope the reply of the Italian Government may reach them within a period, which in view of (lie imminence of the meetings at Geneva, may he as short as possible. If, as they hope, this reply in principle is favourable, the French and United Kingdom Governments will immediately take the necessary steps in order that the Committee of Five may he called together on December 12.' In that case the meeting of the Committee might modify the object of the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen fixed for the same day. Sir Samuel lioare and M. Laval al Inch ihe grealost imporlanee in learning al the same time from Signin' .Mussolini vvlielher lie is ready lo arrange for I lie rollaboraliim of Ihe Italian Government with the Commiltee of Five. Appeal to the Emperor. The appeal lo the Emperor was reinforced in Ihe ful lowing terms: — They hope that Mis Majesty will lei them know as soon as possible il lie agrees to negotiate on lliese eomlilions and is ready lo arrange for Ihe rollon oration of Ihe Ethiopian Government wilh Ihe Committee of Five. Ilolh telegrams conelude wilh a reference to Ihe proposal that Abyssinia should have an millet lo Ihe sea, and Ihe representatives are advised that if the solution suggested of cession by Italy of Assa.b and the corridor thereto would, in their view, militate a gain it the acceptance of the basis, i they may say that, failing such au ar-

rangenicnl, llic Government of Ihe United Kingdom and llic French Government arc prepared to facilitate Ethiopia’s access to the sea in the manner which they stated to the Committee of Five.

The Foreign Secretary sent an additional telegram lo Sir Sydney Barton, in which the-latter Was instructed to use his utmost influence lo induce the Emperor lo give careful and favourable consideration to the proposals and on no account to lightly reject them.

The message adds: “I feel sure that lie will give further proof of his statesmanship by realising the advantage of the opportunity of negotiation which they afford."

A STRONG DEFENCE. PREPARED BY MR BALDWIN. MADE A CONFIDENCE ISSUE. DROPPING OF OIL "SANCTIONS. United Press Assn. — Eific. Tel. Copy-iornt LONDON, Dec. 15. The Sunday Dispatch expects that whether or not the Labour Party moves a motion of censure, the Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, will make the ■ issue of the debate on the peace plan in the House of Commons next Thursday a vote of confidence. Mr Baldwin is preparing a strong defence of Sir Samuel Iloare’s share in the peace discussions, and will as far as possible take Parliament into his confidence as to why the Government sought an early end to the war. It is believed that Ihe exposed position of llic British Fleet in the Mediterranean and llic unwillingness of oiher Powers to honour their responsibilities greatly influenced llic decision. Meanwhile, whatever the fate of the peace plan, Mr Baldwin has made up his mind that oil sanotlons aro not practical politics. defence of prime minister. SECRET SESSION ADVOCATED. A LAMENTABLE 'POLICY. LONDON, Dec. 14. 'Phe Daily Mail, in an editorial defending Mr Baldwin “from the attacks of frantic sanctionists,” refers to iiis declaration last Tuesday that Ids lips were sealed, and urges that the best course is to hold a secret session of Hu' House of Commons, enabling the full Irulh lo he revealed, ineluding Ihe risks due In Ihe lamentable policy of disnrmamenl. The Daily Telegraph in a leader says il is only fair to suspend judgment iinli 1 Mr Baldwin is able lo speak out. If Ihe Iruth is Dial llic Government has diseovered llial Italy is determined ou war in Ihe event of oil sanctions and llial oilier I,('ague members refused lo support Britain, leaving tier lo hear Ihe brunl of Ihe eonllict, Hie euimlrv should he informed.