Evening star., 1935-12-27
Spread of Conflict Feared
In Speech to Deputies.
Narrow Safe Margin in
Vote Tomorrow Likely.
SETTLEMENT EFFORTS
DECLARED 'FAULTLESS'
Door Closed to Ending African
War, Premier Tells, Chamber,
but Calls for Continued Concil-
iation-Ethiopia and Italy Are
Blamed for Failure of Plan.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
talo-Ethiopian controversy has
brought actual tUdrtare to both ma
tions, serious political uncertain
ties to others. Joint British French
peace proposal resulted in storm of
criticism from all quarters, forced
resignation OF BritGin'S Foreign
Minister Hodre and presented new
crisis to Premier Lavdl OF France.
Heading coalition government,
Ldual Wooed LettiSt support BY fight
to keep country on gold standard
and by urging dissolution OF strong
nationalist organizations. On No
uember 29 he lDaS re,Uarded by Dote
OF confidence OF Parliament. Peace
plan reaction still dangerous, hotD-
eDer, along NTH GntdgoniSm OF
condemned nationaliStic organizd-
tionS.
copyright. 1888. by the Associated Press }
PARIS, December 27.-Premier
Laval, stalking the life of his govern
ment on his explanation of his efforts
to settle the Italo-E Ethiopian conflict
told the Chamber of Deputies today
he had been informed Italy would
consider an oil embargo "an act i'm
plying war against Italy"
Enunciating his policy of further
efforts to settle the conflict and avert
a European war, Laval indicated he
opposed further sanctions against
Italy by asking who could guarantee
that such sanctions would not run
the risk of spreading the conflict"
He promised whole hearted aid to
Great Britain, however, in fighting
off any Italian attack which might
result from enforcement of sanctions.
Vote of Confidence Seen.
Lavals speech was regarded in the
lobbies of the Chamber of Deputies as
virtually assuring him of a narrow
but safe vote of confidence on his for
eign policy tomorrow.
The premier's address was fairly
well received by the Radical Socialist
deputies, who hold the balance of
power.
Deputies of the right and center
groups rose to their feet and cl1eered
Laval.
But Leon Blum, Socialist leader,
called on Laval to follow Sir Samuel
Hoare. who resigned as Britain's for
eign secretary, Into oblivion" as a
penalty for the Socialist-opposed peace
plan which they formulated and which
was later discarded.
Blum'S savage attack on Laval
called forth protests from Rightist
deputies and an exchange of blows was
narrowly prevented.
Respect Shown for League.
France, the premier said, has shown
respect for the League of Nations, on
which Frances own safety from at
tack depends. by loyal and strict"
application of sanctions, however
painful"
His main anxiety, he said, was to
avert Europeon war now and to as
sure aid for France under the League
in case Germany ever attacked France.
He declared his effortSkQ settle the
war had been "faultless."
Sanctions, however, are hazardous, u
Laval declared, and he warned that
the Leagues action, which he said
was limited, should be aimed primarily
at keeping peace.
The premier told the legislators that
proposals toward ending the war in
East Africa we're "dead-but the door
to conciliation remained open."
Never Opposed Painful Sanctions.
Laval declared he never opposed
"painful" sanctions against Italy.
THE only question" he declared,
ris whether I have served the interests