Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-20
Ethiopia
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the League, in addition to discussing
the Italo- Ethiopian situation. should
also discuss the British naval activi-
ties.
An italian government spokesman
said today there still was a posi-
bility that the League compromise
proposal might serve as basis for
the discussion of the Italo- Ethiopian
situation, provided the proposal was
considerably modified. He said the
spirit in which the proposal was
formulated must also be modified,
characterizing it as ''unfriendly-"
Premier Mussolini became the sole
interpreter of Italy's international war
code today. assuming the position
legally TO answer any attacks on
his Ethiopian campaign.
A decree, signed by King Victor
Emanuel and issued in the official
gazette, set up a commission Of the
nations highest commanding officers
for revision of the agreements which
have disciplined the conduct of war
among belligerents and neutrals."
Duce to Be Sole Arbiter.
1t provided that II Duce, as chief
OF the government, would be the sole
arbiter Of such necessities.
The decree was interpreted in in
formed circles as placing Mussolini
in a position TO strike mediately-
and with the full weight of Italian
law-against any nation which at
tempted to Judge Italy under ante
dated" rules of war procedure.
With this advance answer to appli-
cation of sanctions. Italy drove ahead
with vast war-like preparations in her
East African colonies.
Ten steamers took troops at Naples
for immediate Sailings to East Africa.
Three of them were set to sail imme-
diately and all to clear port before
Monday.
When Will War Start?
The question asked most frequently
in political and diplomatic circles was.
When will an Italo- Ethiopian war
start?
Various dates we're suggested. but
most diplomatic circles picked Octo-
Der 10 as the most probable.
Reports that the war might break
out today-the anniversary of united
Italy-were ridiculed by Spokesman
for informed Rome quarters. who
pointed out that Italy does not even
celebrate this anniversary any more
in difference to the Vatican
This was the anniversary of the day
in 1870 when Victor Emanuel's
troops broke through the Gates of
Rome and made Pope Plus TX a pris-
oner. But since the lateran treaty
of 1929 MuSSolini has ordered that the
day not be celebrated. He created a
new holiday. February IL. the date
the accord was signed. 4;
That the cabinet would declare war
tomorrow was generally held most i'm
probable. The ministers we're ex-
pected to take some additional meas
ures of an economic nature for fur
ther financing of the East African
campaign.
Rains Still Continue.
The fact that the tropical rainy
season still persists in the highlands Of
Eritrea and Ethiopia also was consid-
cred generally to preclude an inme-
date beginning of hostilities.
An announcement that the liner
Oceanie, on the South American rum
would be ready to depart for Buenos
Aires with passengers tomorrow,
aroused comment. This ship sailed
ostensibly for East Africa with $500
troops September IL. Despite Official
announcements regarding her sailing
orders at that time. observers believed
she could not have made a trip to
East Africa so quickly.
The company announcement Of her
sailing for Buenos Aires tomorrow in
dicated that she merely dropped of
troops in Libya, Italy's North African
possession. This development strength
ened a general belief that extraordi-
nary troop concentrations were taking
place in Libya against possible war
with Great Britain.
This feeling increased despite decla-
rationS by Italian government spokes-
men that Italy was merely making
normal troop requirements in its
North African colonies. Further
strengthening of such a belief in ex-
traordinary troop movements in Libya
came from the sailing of the steamer
Beppe. a cargo ship. with 1000 tons
of materials from Naples for East
Africa early today. She last left for
East Africa September Is. government
announcements said. Informed sources