Evening star., 1935-12-21
MUSSOL|N| SPURS
AFRICAN CAMPAIGN
Refuses to Reply Formally
to Franco British Peace
Terms.

Copyright. 1895 by the Associated Press.
ROME. December 21.-Premier
MuSsolini showed his disdain for the
discarded Franco British proposals
for peace between Italy and Ethiopia
today by refusing even to reply to
them after ordering the East African
campaign to proceed.
An official spokesman said the deci-
sion of the Fancist Grand Council,
insued after session last night. con-
stituted Italy's only answer to the
peace plan.
This decision referred briefly to
British "repudiation" of the proposals
and said Italy would go on to the
goal designated by II Duce as the
nations destiny.
People "Unshakeably United"
In directing confidently that his
armies press on for conquest of Ethi-
opia, Mussolinf posed his "unshake-
ably united" people against the dis
organization and contradictions OF
sanctionist nations.
He declared his conviction that
fascism would triumph over both
Ethiopia and League sanctions.
The Fascist Grand Council. supreme
organism of the state, which passes
on measures dictated by II Duce him
self, issued communique after a
meeting with Mussolini last night,
setting forth three main points:
/. That the italian people, in con-
trast to the conduct of opposition
League states, remain united and firm
in their course, as exemplified by the
popular contributions Of gold to aid
the simultaneous campaigns Of war
abroad and resistance at home.
Confident Of Victory.
2. That the Fascist leaders are
confident of victory in Ethiopia.
3. That the nation will press on
relentlessly for achievement of that
goal.
II Duce and his council, citing dis
organization and contradictions mani
tested in the conduct of sanctionist
countries" made only passing mention
of the Inflated peace plan.
They announced that they "exam-
ined the political situation as it has
been determined since the reputation
by the British of the Paris proposals,
born of French initiative"
In support Of their confidence over
the eventual outcome of the crisis
they announced declaration by
Count Giuseppe Volpi, grand councillor
and former finance minister, that en-
ployers and workers in industry and
agriculture alike backed the Fascist
regime in its two-fold campaign.
Resistance Intensified.
Volpi asserted Fascist considerations
in industry and agriculture were con-
solidated more strongly by "prolong-
ing of the vain attempt at suffoca-
ton" by the League, that producers
were making Italy more independent
economically under the League siege
and that they would intensity their
resistance campaign.
The council adjourned until Janu-
ary Is, leaving to Mussolini sole COM
mand of the military operations in
East Africa and the economic activ-
tiles in Italy.
Accompanying his words with swift
action, II Duce dispatched 1000 addi-
tional Blackshirt militiamen and 800
workmen aboard the steamer Lom-
bardia to East Africa to reinforce his
armies in the field.
At home 100000 women swung
into the economic campaign, that
number-quintupling the party's wom-
an membership since the League siege
began November 18-having joined the
Fascist ranks in the fight against
sanctions.
Italians Expect Victory.
Fascist sources said that, the Anglo
French peace plan having failed and
League sanctions failing, Italy would
eventually be able to conclude the
war in Ethiopia-on its own terms
after q decisive military triumph.
Before the council met it appointed
to its membership Count Galeazzo
Ciano, son-in-law of II Duce and hero
leader of the desperate" air squadron
on the northern front.