Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-06
Fireworks at Geneva.

1t is already painfully evident that
League efforts to compose the Italo-
Ethiopian controversy are doomed TO
proceed amid an explosive and acrl-
monious atmosphere little conducive to
a peaceful conclusion. The Italians
last night all but broke up the Council
session, confirming widespread fears
that sooner or later Mussolipi will bolt
the League outright. finally defy its
authority to intervene in the conflict
and proceed to war. The early scenes
of the international drama at Geneva
strongly indicate that it will end in
tragedy.
From London comes a circumstantial
report that II Duce, while directing his
League delegates to present an uncom-
promising front, is holding confidential
conversations outside of Geneva, which
reveal him in "eminently reasonable
attitude" To the Fascist dictator is
attributed the formula that Italy
wants Ethiopia, but does not want war"
There are hints of an early meeting
somewhere in Northern Italy, at which
bloodless settlement is to be discussed,
coupled with the suggestion that If 1t
is impossible to prevent Italian punitive
measures, agreement might be reached
to localize hostilities within a restricted
area while peace negotiations proceed.
Such a notion is in line with the theory
that Mussolini's irreducible minimum is
one decisive military victory. 20 avenge
Adowa, and, with Italy's martial honor
thus indicated, he might stack arms.
Meantime, Geneva rocks with recrtm-
nation and defiance. On Wednesday
Baron Aloisi. Italys chief spokesman,
submitted a devastating attack on
Ethiopia as a land Of unSpeakable bar.
barism and savagery, country wholly
unfit for membership in any society OF
civilized nations. Stress was laid on
the prevalence of slavery in Selassie's
realm. Yesterday was EthiopiA's day in
court. It's representative, the eminent
French juriSt, M. CASTOR Je1e, replied
to Baron Aloisi's indictment in extraor-
dinarily telling fashion. 1t was when M.
Jeze accused Italy of bullying tactics
against weaker peoples that Signor
Rocco, the remaining Italian delegate,
sought to have the session suspended on
the ground that Italy was being in
suited" When the chairman rejected
that request Rocco stalked out of the
meeting. His chief, Baron Aloisi, had
previously deserted 1t, on the eve OF M.
Jezes presentation.
The Italians Immediately let it be
known that these spectacular incidents
do not denote Mussolini's intention at
once to quit the League. OF more omi-
nous significance than their tempera-
mental display was their refusal to APP
prove the presence of Great Britain and
France on a proposed council commits
sion Of five to evolve a settlement OF
the Ethiopian question. Italy objected
that she alone, Of the three parties to
the 1906 Ethiopian treaty, was not
named as member of the body. The
entire commission project is now in the
discard, adding one more failure to
Geneva's endless list Of utilities.
Soviet CommiSSar Litvinof sought,
after these tempestuous events, to gal
vanize the Council with determination
to grapple. boldly with the conflict. He
strongly supported Ethiopia's plea for
action and insisted that the League
find the courage and the will to do its
duty under the covenant in the face of
Italys palpable threat to peace. 1t
decidedly remains to be seen whether
Of mind.