Evening star., 1935-08-28
BY JAMES p. POPE,
United states Senator From Idaho.

LONDON, August % IN. A. N. Az
Britannia, ruler Of one of the greatest
empires on earth, Is worried. And
well she may be. along with all her
international neighbors. Never in is
years have the dogs of war snapped
more voraciously at the jugular vein
of the empire, the Suez Canal.
Mussolini is going to war. No peace
full negotiation short Of Ethiopia's sur
render or universal economic sanctions
can stop him.
AS a matter of fact, I suspect that
the Duce himself is now unable to
avoid the conflict. Having spent some
$50 900 in transporting troops and
supplies to Ethiopia in the face Of
wavering national credit, he is barred
from withdrawing by nationalistic
patriotic public opinion. He has
crawled too far out on a limb and
must either wage successful, profit
able war or meet unprecedented op-
position from italian public opinion.
Canal Eventual Objective?
England has no real assurance that
II Italy conquers Ethiopia she will not
then undertake the conquest of Egypt
and, eventually, Of the Suez Canal
Moreover, If Mussolini is completely
engaged in his Ethiopian campaign
Germany and Austria will be free to
endeavor to effect the reacquisition of
Trieste. From that point, no one can
predict what would develop.
France has hesitated and the entire
burden seems now to be shifted To
Great Britain. Therefore, the most
important question in international
relations at present is: What will Eng
land do?
understand that the action OF the
British cabinet a few days ago con-
sisted OF decisions on four points:
First, the British government present.
ly intends to defer all action on the
Ethiopian question to the League OF
Nations Council meeting at Geneva
September 4.
Continue Efforts.
Second, the cabinet decided to en-
deavor, in cooperation with France,
to prevent war and satisfactorily ID
adjust the situation prior to Septem-
Der 8. This, while a good course OF
action, is extremely unlikely to be
fruitful not only because of the
hesitancy of France, but because Of
the practical impossibility of persuad-
ing Mussolini.
Third, the cabinet Is determined to
reaffirm its adherence to the prin-
ciples of the League Of Nations.
Fourth, and most important. the
cabinet delegated power to act in an
emergency to an Imperial Defense
Committee, which stands in readiness
at all times for a meeting. This seems
to indicate that England Is not un-
aware of the possibility that she may
become directly involved in warfare.
1t Is quite obvious that England will
push the entire problem squarely be-
fore the League of Nations and say,
There must be no war. We are all
obligated to prevent it" There is
much speculation as to the tone in
which she will say it.
The League is unable to apply sane
tions, military or economic. to Italy
without unanimous vote. This assent
will be very difficult to obtain.
Pressure Problematical.
In the present case there is much
uncertainty as to the amount Of pres
sure Britain will exert for sanctions.
Taking advance of this situation,
Mussolini has played a very shrewd
game. First, he has in recent state
ments given assurances that he will
recognize all legal rights of European
powers, and he asserts that England
recognized Italy's right to Ethiopia in
1925. The English version of the 1925
correspondence is that Italy was as
sured that England would not COM
pete with her for commercial and
economic advantages in Ethiopia.
In a prior statement Mussolini said
that II sanctions are applied to pre-
vent his Ethiopian campaign, it will
mean warfare in Europe. In other
words, he is endeavoring to convey the
impression that the other nations of
the world have everything to gain
and nothing to lose by giving him a
free hand.
1t is reported that the British ad-
miraiRy has stated that the Mediter-
ranean fleet is not powerful enough
to act as an efficient fighting unit in
the event of war and that England
does not have sufficient strength in
armaments to fight war by herself
against italy if the League of Nations
fails. At the same time, Britain has
sent 1900 troops as reinforcements
to Malta.
Contending that England cannot
without extensive preparation inforce
her demands and decisions, some of
her ministers are seeking further
armament both on land and sea. The
British government is furthermore
trying to obtain pledge of assistance
from France If the worst comes.
Some responsible thought holds that
If England refrains from action de-
signed to restrain italy and permits
Mussolini to carry on his war to COM
pletion, public opinion will be SC
aroused as almost to force an Italo-
British conflict. Not only the states
men of Britain but her entire popu-
lation is avidly following every detail
Of the Ethiopian situation. At no time
since the World War has Britain been