BETTER ATMOSPHERE

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 9

BETTER ATMOSPHERE

LONDON, September 24. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Rome correspondent says: “Optimistic forecasts are now being made regarding the Abyssinian dispute, based less on any material fact than on the general atmosphere of decreased tension, which is growing constantly more noticeable. This atmosphere has . been helped enormously by the British naval assurance, which is described as the most hopeful feature of the recent developments.” The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: “Another factor that is helping to reassure Italian opinion is the belief that Britain will not undertake unilateral action, nor, it is believed, will there be unanimity on. the Council regarding military sanctions, as Italy will apparently only see a casus belli in the application of military sanctions. It is not apprehended that an Abyssinian conflict will bring England and Italy face to face and lead to dangerous European developments.' Authoritative circles declare it is now the League’s duty to examine the Italian reply. Italy hopes the League will do so. It is pointed out that diplomatic conversations are proceeding, but no pressure whatever is being exercised by France or Britain on Italy. Altogether a better feeling is noticeable.”

Th© * Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent similarly declares that the British naval assurance has given the greatest satisfaction. The sky is now clearer than for weeks past, anti-Bri-tish Rress attacks and cartoons vanished overnight, and Italian eyes are now turned to Geneva and the League’s examination of Signor Mussolini’s counter-proposals, of which a summary has been published. The League’s proposals have also for the first time appeared in print. This is interpreted in some quarters as a sign that more hopeful conversations are proceeding at Rome, London, and Paris, and behind the scenes at Geneva.

The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Rome correspondent emphasises that the central fact in the new situation is that Signor Mussolini has definitely indicated his willingness to negotiate. It is not believed that the other Powers will refuse to meet him halfway, as it is considered inconceivable that the League’s proposals represent the final “take or leave it” offer. The ‘Manchester Guardian’s ’ Paris correspondent says that both the Press and the public anticipate “ a new start,” but doubt whether the Council will go much beyond the offer already made to Italy, especially regarding the demand for the disarmament of Abyssinia, although it has been suggested that this might be carried out under international League control simultaneously with Italy’s demobilisation. Admittedly Britain is most unlikely to engage in military sanctions singlehanded, and, even regarding economic sanctions, France is still dvided, but it is declared that Signor Mussolini knows that in a moment of real danger France will inevitably cling to Britain. It is also significant that even M. Laval has not felt it possible to assure Signor Mussolini that France will in no circumstances resort to military sanctions against Italy.

The British Ambassador at Rome called on Signor Suvich in order to communicate the movements of the British Fleet and reinforcements of the Mediterranean garrisons. Ho explained that they were not intended to imply any aggressive intentions on the part of the British Government. On the contrary, the measures were taken as a natural consequence of the violence of the antiBritish campaign in the Italian Press during the last few days. Signor Suvich explained the movements of the Italian troops, and added that he was authorised to declare that the Italian military preparations were purely precautionary, without any aggressive aim.

ABYSSINIA'S FIGHTING FORGES LONDON, September 24. The Addis Ababa correspondent of 1 The Times ’ reports . that 1,083,000 Abyssinians are available to begin fighting, and their food is already assured. They are growing their hair long as a protecton from the sun during the campaign.

PESSIMISM IN ITALY SYDNEY, September 24. Captain G. Thonpe, commander of the Orient liner Ormonde, which has arrived from London, said that a spirit of dejection was very noticeable among the peoples of Naples, and Italian business men saw calamity for Italy in the prospect of war. They expressed regret that Signor Mussolini had gone so far. Others did not believe he would go through with his promise.

AUSTRALIAN DISCUSSIONS SYDNEY, September 24. I’he ‘ Sun’s ’ representative at Canberra says: “ There was the keenest discussion to-day in the lobbies on the exact implication to bo drawn from the statement made by Mr Lyons yesterday on tho Italo-Abyssinian situation. The question most asked now is whether Mr Lyons’s instructions to Mr Bruce commit Australia 1,0 active cc-operation,

Mussolini’s Changed Attitude Willing to Negotiate Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright

with Britain in upholding League principles in the event of Italy being adjudged the aggressor nation. The general opinion among members of Parliament is that it does. The next question as to the extent of the measures the Government ought to take in order to give co-operation is causing much controversy.” The ‘ Sun ’ correspondent adds: “It is quite evident that when Mr Lyons permits a debate on the subject the Labour Opposition will force the issue to a vote. The Government has no intention of complying with the Labour demand for the recall of the cruiser Australia from the Mediterranean.”

THE COMMITTEE OF FIVE REPORT READY FOR COUNCIL GENEVA, September 24. (Received September 25, at 10 a.m.) The Associated Press Association’s special correspondent says that the Committee of Five has drawn up its report in readiness for the League Council. Prior to the meeting Captain Eden received the heads of all the dominion delegations and gave them an explanation of the Committee of Five’s probable report, but no indication of the line of action when the Council meets. It is understood that Mr Bruce will supply Captain Eden later to-day with the full text of Mr Lyons’s speech, which was one of tho topics of this morning’s meeting, the Empire representatives apparently interpreting it as consistent with the utterance of the British and other dominion spokesmen. The Council will meet on Thursday morning to receive the Committee’s report and to decide future action.

ADAPTION BY COUNCIL INDICATED LONDON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 2 p.m.) The Associated, Press Association’s Geneva correspondent says that there is little doubt that the Council on Thursday will adopt tho Conciliation Committee’s report under Article 15. To-day’s Italian communique does not provide a fresh basis for discussion, owing to its vagueness, especially in the final paragraph,, which is probably deliberate. Nevertheless, it is regarded as a further indication of Italian hesitancy. The Italians decline to discuss the interpretation of the communique, and explain that they are awaiting the League move. The Associated Press Association was informed: Baron Aloisi has very carefully read Mr Lyons’s speech, but has decided not to comment.

ITALIAN OFFICIAL STATEMENT NO COUNTER-PROPOSALS PRESENTED ROME, September 24. (Received September 25, at 10 a.m.) After a Cabinet meeting a communique was issued stating that II Duce explained that Italy had not presented counter-proposals to those from Geneva, but simply explained orally the reason why the proposals of the Committee of Five were unaccep-. table. All that has happened since Saturday demonstrates that Italy’s attitude could not have been different. II Duce then referred to the possibility of development of the situation on a basis of certain articles of the League Covenant and the attitude Italy,will assume according to circumstances.

RENEWED SPECULATION AT GENEVA GENEVA, September 24. (Received September 25, at 2.30 p.m.) Signor Mussolini’s reference to certain Articles of the Covenant is causing renewed speculation. It is believed that it may indicate Article 19, under which a neutral zone can be created between. the Italian and Abyssinian armies during negotiations under the auspices of England and Fx-ance, and Article 22, dealing with a revision of treaties and mandates. In the meantime, the rainy season in Abyssinia has ended five days early.

ARTICLES IS AND 22 Article 19 says: “ Nothing in the Covenant shall be deemed to affect the validity of international engagements, such as treaties of arbitration or regional understandings like the Monroe Doctrine, for securing the maintenance of peace.” Article 22 says: “ To those colonies and territories which, as a consequence of the late war, have ceased to be under the sovereignty of the States which formerly governed them, and which are inhabited by peoples not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions of the modern world, there should he applied tho principle that the well-being and development of such peoples form a sacred trust of civilisation, and that securities for the performance of this trust should he embodied in this .Covenant, The

best method of .giving practical effect to this principle is that the tutelage ox such peoples should be entrusted to advanced nations who, by reason of their resources, their experience, or their geographical position, can best undertake this responsibility, and who are willing to accept it, and that this tutelage should bo exercised by jheni as mandates on behalf of the League.”

FAVOURABLE SIGNS RELATIONS MORE CORDIAL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Seiptember 24. (Received September 25, at 11.30 a.m.j Another stage in the efforts by the League of Nations to secure a settlement of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute ended to-day, when the Committee of Five unanimously adopted tho report prepared by Scnor De Madariaga for presentation to the Council. Difficult as the situation is, there are many who believe that definite progress has been made in recent weeks as a result, of the firm hut conciliatory attitude of the Council and the loyal efforts of its chief members. Among the favourable factors noted are the close co-operation between, the French and British representatives and the fact that the attitude of the Governments which stood for the maintenance of the principles and authority of the League is now being appreciated more clcar'y. Last night the British Ambassador in Rome was received by Signor Mussolini and delivered a message from Sir Samuel Hoare, intended, it is understood to remove any misapprehension regarding the relations between the two countries which might have survived the conversations between Sir Eric Drummond and Signor Suvich last week 1 ' when the mutual explanations on the recent military and naval moveaie’ ts in the Mediterranean were exchanged. The message was received cordially by Signor Mussolini, who, it is believed, has as a result a much better understanding of the British attitude.

A satisfactory settlement for which the League Powers are working depends so much on the goodwill of all parties that any increase in mutual understanding, it is pointed out, is a valuable contribution to the endeavours which the League Council must renew on Thursday.

ABYSSINIAN CIVILISATION EMPEROR OPENS NEW MODEL PRISON LONDON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 10.25 a.m.) In a copyright message from Addis Ababa the correspondent of * The Times * states that as an indication of his attachment to civilised principles the Emperor ceremoniously opened a new model prison in the presence of the Diplomatic Corps, including Count Vinci, the Italian Minister, whose attendance, accompanied by a greater number of Legation officials than other representatives, was most notable. Moreover, Count Vinci shook hands with the Emperor in a most affable manner. The prison will accommodate 350 prisoners, the first of whom will enter to-morrow. The cells are hygenic and airy, and the prisoners’ pyjamas are laid out on their beds. Reading rooms are provided, also a ’ workshop to enable criminals to learn trades.

The Emperor, on returning to the palace, was greeted by thousands of gaily dressed Mohamedans from Harrar and Ogaden, also a number of Yemenis, with whom Abyssinia is ratifying a peace treaty. The demonstrators cheered His Majesty and presented arms, mostly sticks and bludgeons. The State Council is giving attention to the Conciliation Committee’s proposals, especially the clause relating to Italian commercial rights, to which Abyssinia will never grant exclusiveness.

BOOT WORKERS' STAND NO SUPPLIES FOR ITALIAN ARMY LONDON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 2 p.m.) In pursuance of a resolution passed in 1926 declaring that the Union should refuse to support any Government resorting to war, the National Union of Boot Operatives ordered its members not to make boots for the Italian army.

ECONOMIC SANCTIONS FAVOURED FRENCH CONFEDERATION OF LABOUR RESOLUTION PARIS, September 24. (Received September 25, at 2 p.m.) The general Confederation of Labour passed a resolution in favour of economic sanctions against an aggressor, the Secretary-General (M. Jouhaux) emphasising that the majority agreed that military sanctions were not desirable. While the Bourse is persuaded that the trouble is localised and is steadily recovering from last week’s pessimism, the newspapers see a greater menace to European peace in Germany’s attitude regarding Memel.

A LONG CAMPAIGN ITALIAN SOLDIERS ALLOWED TO MARRY BY PROXY ROME, September 24. (Received September 25, at 1.35 p.m.) ♦ The Cabinet passed a number of important decrees affecting the army, including allowing soldiers in East Africa to marry by proxy, as the forces will be absent for a long time, and they will not obtain furlough enabling them to legitimise illegitimate unions. The decree has made a deep impression, dashing the hopes of a short pampaigeu'