Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23

n VOW that the British govern
M ment has decided to be less
VI sanguine about immediate
sanctions" against Italy. the
French Government is going to try
its hand to limit the dangers which
might result to the rest Of the world
because of the Italo- Ethiopian strife.
n n X
The British MINISTERS realize they
cannot count on any immediate and
effective support from the United
States. This was brought home to
them after the passage of the
neutrality resolution in the Senate.
Consequently, they decided to pull in
their horns and wait for the decision
of the League of Nations. If the
League decides on economic sanctions
the British will be delighted to join
the other nations in enforcing them.
1t appears at the present mo-
nent highly doubtful that the
League will 90 so far as to apply
sanctions against Italy. The slogan
that "the League is an orgdnizd-
ton Which settles big disputes
among small nations and small
disputes among big nations" is still
in force at Genera.
To enforce sanctions it is necessary
to have an unanimous vote Of all the
members of the Council. And it is
doubtful that even France will vote
for sanctions against Italy.
But Premier Laval has a solution
of his own. He is practical idealist
He realizes that to change Musso-
lini's determination to fight In Eth
opia is as easy as to change the course
of a river. Hence, he suggests that
the powers let Italy begin a war.
After q few minor victories, which
can be greatly exaggerated in the
world press, the defeat at Adowa-40
years ago-would be avenged and the
British and the French governments
could intervene in friendly man
ner and offer themselves as naediators
between Italy and Abyssinia.
X y u "
The stage will be set-diplomatically
for Mussolini to accept the Franco
British gesture for the sake of hui
Italy will be given a strip of Eth
opia-which she could obtain now
without f1ghting-and important eco
nomic concessions amounting to a real
of Abyssinia and every
body will be happy, including the
Ethiopians.
X 4 X \
Laval is Latin, like Mussolini, and
understands better than any Anglo
Saxon the need of q spectacular sue
cess for II Duce.
Theoretically the French premier
may be right. But, say the British,
what II the Italian armies do not
obtain those tew minor victories
against SelaSsie's troops? And
phdt. if the Ethiopians cannot be
coerced to accept the British and
the French mediation? One of the
main drawbacks of the Ethiopian
Army is that it neDer kno,Ds Dhen
it has been defeated. 1t is possible
that q fen minor defeats may not
make any impression on Selasste's
tDarriors. What tCiH happen then?
II
To this Laval replies that anything
is better than to try and coerce Italy
now, because she simply won't take it.
Mussolini is in mood now when ne
would rather risk a conflict with the
British than yield to the pressure of
the League Of Nations or any other
peace agency.
y X X Il
To show the French that they need
not worry about the possible conse-
quences Of the African adventure on
European affairs, he has decided to
keep under arms 100000 men on the
Austrian frontier, as q warning to
Germany
The French are delighted with this