ITALY'S CONQUEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 170, 5 August 1937, Page 3

ITALY'S CONQUEST

Recognition of Abyssinian Territory THE FRENCH ATTITUDE LONDON, Aug. 4. The diplomatic correspondent of tho Mornihg Post says recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia is the question underlying the exchange of letters betwceu Mr. Neville Chamberlain and Signor Mussolini. No referenee was made to the subject in the letters and Mr. Chamberlain made no promises, as the matter is one for Cabinet, but Signor Mussolini, ft is gathered, would not. be satisfied. with less than a League declaration that tho Abyssinian Enipire no longer exists. The Duce is apparently convinced that. the British Government is in- a , position to give the necessary lead, which other members of the League of Nations would follow. The Times' Paris correspondent says the French Government 's attitude towqrds -Abyssinian Tecognition will alinost certainly be governed by the advantage that can be gained from such a sfep. Howcver, no French statesman is prepared to rnake an unconditional conces- . sion. with the risk of iinding it hailed as another triumph of Fascist strength over democratic -weakness. France is ready to go a long way in order to securc a change from the present disastrdus state of French and Italian relations, but she is not prepared to take auy step not giving real promise of progress in t'he right direction.