POSITION UNCHANGED

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 11

POSITION UNCHANGED

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright

GENEVA, September 25

The report of the Committee of Five confirms all the forecasts, including Anglo-French willingness to make territorial concessions. in recognition of Italy's special economic interests in Ethiopia. An appendix gives details of Baron Aloisi's observations, which are largely a repetition of the former criticisms that Abyssinian barbarity vitiates League membership, therefore the dispute cannot be settled under the Covenant, which did not contemplate the case of countries unworthy or incapable of participation. Had some elasticity been allowed, even on the lines of the principles embodied in mandates, a solution would have been brought nearer. The presence of foreign specialists, police, and gendarmerie had already raised the Ethiopian forces to an efficiency which was menacing neighbouring States, particularly those of Italy, whose need t° defend her colonies and her mission in Africa the committee had completely ignored. The appendix reaffirms opposition to an Ethiopian outlet to the sea, winch would make her a maritime Power, increasing the threat towards Italy. The appendix also emphasises Abyssinia's incapacity to respect international agreements and her League obligations. Italy's complaints that Abyssinia should be placed in such a position that she could not injure her neighbours and that the administration should be reformed to raise the country to a higher level of civilisation were not considered. COUNCIL'S PROCEDURE DISCUSSED LONDON, September 25. The Geneva correspondent of ' The Times' says: "The Council's most probable procedure on September 26 is under Article 15 of the Covenant, providing that the Council shall draw up its own report and recommendations after conciliation has failed. The Italians at Geneva speak glibly of Italy's departure from the League if rArticle 15, is invoked, but this may be merely intended to impress. Nevertheless, even the most ardent seekers for a basis of compromise are beginning to be discouraged, though some profess to see signs of approaching Italian conversion. Meanwhile on Abyssinia's side fear of an ' incident' providing an occasion for an Italian incursion into Abyssinian territory is now uppermost, leading to urgent repetition of the suggestion that a League Commission should be sent to Abyssinia to observe the frontiers and make sure that deliberate provocation does not occur. The length of the frontiers and the time needed to send out an adequate corps of observers are obvious objections to the scheme, but the fact that it is being pressed indicates the form which Abyssinian expectations of an Italian attack have now taken." GENERAL MOBILISATION AM ABYSSINIAN ORDER LONDON, September 25. The special correspondent of the ' Sun-Herald ' at Addis Ababa urgently cables to-night that general mobilisation was enforced by the Emperor today after being held up by his European advisers. One hundred thousand men in Addis Ababa have been called up immediately. FRANGE IN DIFFICULT POSITION LONDON, September 25. The Paris correspondent of ' The Times' says: "Messages from Rome continue to emphasise the more conciliatory Italian attitude, but the general French impression is. that Signor Mussolini, while moderating his tone, has not changed his demands, and at the moment it must be said that the pendulum of French opinion has now swung to the deepest pessimism. Attention has returned to possible developments at. Geneva along the lines of collective action in the event of a break between Italy and the League, which is taken to be foreshadowed by the phrasing of yesterday's Italian communique. The plea for refraining from anything at all likely to offend Italian susceptibilities still finds supporters, but they are now more noisy than numerous. There is a greater disposition to face the possibility that France may have to honour her League pledge by joining in sanctions." THE LONDON MARKETS LONDON, September 25. The City editor of ' The Times ' says: " Despite the fact that there is no definite Italo-Abyssinian news, the security and commodity markets are decidedly firmer and business more active. Apparently some professional and private investors have decided that the risk of war is insufficiently serious to cause a suspension of business. Giltedged stocks and industrial shares are appreciably higher. Wheat, jute, rubber, linseed oil, and jSftfsUjer. sogg, J

The Abyssinian Crisis

Door Still Open for Conciliation

Profit-talking caused a reaction on maize, sugar, and cotton. Moreover, apart from the Italo-Abyssinian crisis events favour a rise, including the excellent Australian Budget following the satisfactory New Zealand one, and news that France has drawn np plans to balance her Budget." AUSTRALIAN DISCUSSIONS '. CANBERRA, September 25. During a debate in the Senate on the Abyssinian situation Senator Collings (Lab.) submitted a proposal asking the Government to instruct its delegates to the League of Nations that the Commonwealth opposed any action implied or committed which was likely to involve Australia in war. Senator M'Lachlan (PostmasterGeneral) described the doctrine of Australia's non-participation as devilish. It was tantamount to saying that Australia should withdraw from the League and permit the Covenant to be treated as a scrap of paper. The proposal was negatived on a strictly party vote. ABYSSINIAN TROOP MOVEMENTS LEAGUE KEPT INFORMED BY EMPEROR ADDIS ABABA, September 25. (Received September 26, at 9.50 a.m.) The Government has cabled the League of Nations giving the movements of 500,000 Abyssinian troops, which, it declares, have been sent to the frontiers for purely defensive measures. The Emperor is also asking the League to send a committee to Abyssinia to act as witnesses of hostilities. He is offering to pay the expense of flying them from Europe. LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING NO INTERMEDIARY STEPS GENEVA, September 25. (Received September 26, at 10.5 a.m.) The Associated Press Association says that Captain Eden and M. Laval conferred in reference to Thursday's procedure. Now that Baron Aloisi's observations are fully known there is no reason for the Council t.o-take further intermediary steps before considering the dispute under Article 15. British quarters contend that the recommendations for supervision of arms and the suppression of slavery fully took into account Italy's complaints against Abyssinia. Nothing has shaken the British view that whatever the defects are in Ethiopia reforms should not be forced by one neighbouring Power. COMMITTEE'S REPORT RESUME OF PROPOSALS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 25. (Received September 26, at noon.) The report to the League Council of its Committee of Five, which has now been communicated to the parties to the Italo-Abyssinian dispute and the members of the Council, was published at Geneva this morning. The report includes replies by the parties to the committee's suggestion for a basis for negotiation and contains also a summary of the oral observations made by the Italian delegate. The Note handed by the chairman of the committee to the representatives of the two Governments on September, 18 states that the committee, which was instructed to make a general examination of Italian and Ethiopian relations and to seek a pacific settlement, had endeavoured to find a basis for negotiation. The solution so far had been guided by the obligation of respecting the independence, territorial integrity and security of all States members of the League, and by the necessity of ensuring good neighbourly relations between States,members of the League. The committee's suggestions for a basis for negotiation,' revealed in the report, include a charter of assistance to take the form of inviting acceptance by the Ethiopian Government of a plan of reform drawn up by the Council dealing with public services which require organisation. The suggestion is made in this plan that commissions of foreign specialists be appointed to organise a corps of police and gendarmerie responsible for ensuring application throughout the Empire of existing order, or future laws, for the prohibition of all personal shivery, for. regulating the carrying of arms by persons not belonging to the regular army or to the police, for gendarmerie forces for policing centres in which Europeans reside, and maintaining order in the frontier territories. Reorganisation of mixed courts of education and public health, with a principal adviser placed at the head of each group of public services, is suggested.

The committee proposes that the plan should' tt« ffivipwed, «£ .&*■ figg

years by the Council of the League. A note is added to the report outlining the Italian observations, and stating that the Ethiopian Government in its reply to the committee's suggestions declares its willingness to open negotiations immediately upon the basis of them. ANGLO-FRENCH COLLABORATION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 25. (Received September 26, at noon.) The close collaboration at Geneva between the French and British delegations was again evidenced to-day by consultations between Captain Eden and M. Laval. If arrangements at Geneva allow Captain Eden conveniently to leave for a day or two he may possibly take the opportunity at the week-end to return to London. THE NEXT STEP OUESTION OF APPLYING SANCTIONS LONDON, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.5 p.m.) The Associated Press Association's special Geneva correspondent says the failure of the Committee of Five to find a basis for conciliation leaves the Council no recourse except to appoint a committee probably consisting of every member of the Council, including Mr Bruce, except Italy, to draw up a report which will virtually be a judgment which may later form the basis for a decision to apply sanctions./The utmost care in drafting will thus be necessary. It is vital to ensure unanimity, as if the council does not carry the recommendations unanimously Italy will be free at the expiration of three months' to wage war legitimately. The Bureau of the League has decided to consult the Assembly before deciding whether the Assembly should be adjourned instead of dissolved on September 28. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCE OF WAR EFFECT ON EMPIRE RELATIONS LONDON, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.30 p.m.) The ' Daily Mail' declares" that war following the application of sanctions would seriously weaken the Empire and produce such discontent among large sections in the dominions as would strengthen the separatist forces. Certain dominions might hold aloof and sever their connection with the League. The ' Daily Mail' contrasts with Mr Lyons's assurance of co-operation the views of Mr Forde and the New South Wales Labour Party. COLLECTIVE RESISTANCE TO AGGRESSION BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S STAND UPHELD LONDON, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.5 p.m. Fifty prominent Englishmen, including Mr Cecil Lytton, Mr J. R. Clynes, Sir Norman Angell, Mr Hugh Dalton, the Bishop of Durham, Sir Walter Lay ton. Mr John Masefield, and Sir Herbert Samuel sent a letter to M. Laval: "We are determined to uphold the British Government in its decision to apply collective resistance to aggression, which is also the determination of the majority of Englishmen. Collective resistance must be applied, not only in respect of Abyssinia, but against aggression in Europe and elsewhere. The impressive demonstrations in France in favour of defending international justice have greatly encouraged us." M LLOYD GEORGE AGAIN BRITAIN MUST PREVENT WAR LONDON, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.5 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George, speaking at Bristol, said what most frightened the Italians was the movements of the fleet in the Mediterranean. "That scared them, whereupon we immediately sent a message to say we did not mean to hurt them. 'France clearly does not intend using more than mild economic sanctions, but Britain must, with the support of the rest of Europe, use force to cut off Italian communications and not permit the bombing of women and children. If we fail to prevent war God help the human race," he said. ITALY FIRM AND CALM BELIEVES WORLD OPINION CHANGING ROME, September 25. (Received September 26, at 2 p.m.) The Government spokesman declared that Italy was firm and calm. He .believed that the world was slowly veering to the Italian viewpoint. The newspapers stress the friendliness of Sir Samuel Hoare's message, and hint that Italy may be granted a mandate by direct negotiation. The Geneva correspondent of ' The Times,' However, states on the highest authority that Britain is opposed to such negotiation. ABYSSINIA RESIGNED TO WAR FEVERISH PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE ADDIS ABABA, September 25. (Received September 26, at 2 p.m.) Abyssinia is now convinced of the inevitability of war, though determined that she will not fire the first shot. She requested the League immediately to despatch bjr jjr the suggested ja±gfi« <

national commission to determine which side commences the threatened hostilities. The Emperor offers to meet the commissioner’s expenses and promises them full co-operation.

Simultaneously with mobilisation, the Abyssinians, "directed by foreign engineers, are feverishly constructing defences along the Djibuti railway and are fortifying the mountainous approaches to the line in order to prevent a successful junction of Italian forces from attacking from the north and south frontiers.

The roads to Harrar are closed, even the British consul being refused a passage.

Troops are moving to Ogaden in modern motor lorries.

DRUM-TAPPING

IF WAR IN ABYSSINIA There is going to be some drum-tap-ping in Africa if the war fires blaze out on the Italo-Abyssiuian frontiers. In less than a week, nay, probably within a day at most, the news that the fateful first shot has been fired will have penetrated into the remotest kraal in Africa. No need to ask how the news will he carried across the hinterlands (says Archer Russell in the ‘ Sydney Morning Herald.’ Listen! Faintly from far away comes the tap-tap of a drum; it is taken up, deciphered, repeated, and passed on. Jungle and desert hear it, over plateau and veldt it goes—a mystic throbbing going out across the night, across a continent, a myriad black drummers beating out to a waiting Africa the message of war. This drum telegraphy of the African is an amazing thing; so perfect is its method that, surmounting all obstacles of differing dialecjt and language—evidently by the use of a universal code understood by all—it is capable of carrying a message over vast distances with remarkable rapidity. And no news is speeded through with more celerity than that which affects the human relationship of the black man with the white. The defeat of Lo Bengula by the Rhodesian forces in Matabeleland in 1893 was drum-tapped over Southern and Northren Rhodesia in the course of a few hours. Certain phases of the Boer War in 1899-1902 penetrated into British Central Africa, to form topics for the palavers of village chiefs on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, 1,500 miles away from the scene of the conflict. Lastly, to illustrate, perhaps, more aptly what I mean, at the time of the Jeffriea-Johnson prizefight in America, I was in a native village on the headwaters of the Congo, 400 miles away from the nearest telegraph, yet I knew of the black man’s triumph in a mere 14 hours after the fight had ended. And 1. knew it from native sources. As the tom-toms had been tapping ominously all that night 1 had no need to ask how the news had been transmitted. And so, no doubt, the news had gone out over all Africa. The crushing defeat of the white man Jeffries hv the black man Johnson was a serious “blow to European prestige in