Evening star., 1935-09-24
Still i'm the Balance.

Precious days roll by in Geneva, and
in the capitals vitally concerned IN the
Ethiopian conflict, yet crisis en-
dures and the issue of peace or war
hangs perilously in the balance. The
circumstance that statesmen continue
resolutely to grapple with the situation,
to explore eagerly every avenue OF
escape from danger, remains the prin-
cipal hope that catastrophe may yet
be averted. AS long as actual aggression
does not occur diplomacy still has lts
chance, and that most potent weapon
of craftsmanship, compromise, retains
Is usefulness.
Probably more than is permitted TO
reach the outside world is going on be-
hind the scenes with view to avoiding
the supreme tragedy. 1t can be assuredly
assumed that none of the great powers
really wants war. Certainly If Musso-
lini can gain his ends without hinging
his mighty military machine into action,
even he must prefer to achieve glory
bv bloodless methods rather than risk
incalculable loss of Italian life and treas
ire and the existence of his Fascist
throne. The conciliatory atmosphere
prevalent in Rome reflects readiness to
exhaust the ways of peace before rushing
into the abyss of war.
Two factors primarily restrain Italy
from plunging to extremes. one Is the
firmly maintained collective resistance"
To her pretensions which the League of
Nations presents. Mussolini has not con-
triyed to drive a single breach III that
wall His hope that France would oe
reluctant to jeopardize newly-Won
Italian friendship by siding with Great
Britain has proved illusory. Premier
Laval leaves no doubt that France STANDS
solidly for vindication of the covenant
and all 1t represents in the African
controversy.
The other argument that is giving II
Duce pause is the presence OF the BRUSH
armada in the Mediterranean. London
has lust informed Rome that While
British measures in that region are
devoid of aggressive intentions" they
were invoked as a natural consequence
of the violence" of the anti-Britlsh
campaign in the italian press. That
is plain notice that continuance OF
such attacks could lead to more active
consequences than a mere display OF
British sea power between Gibraltar
and the Suez. The press campaign has
subsidized.
Today's Rome cabinet meeting may
indicate what the immediate course OF
events is to be. Mussolini has rejected
peace terms proposed by the League
Council, providing for international
assistance" to Ethiopia, with prefer
ential privileges for Italy. The Italians
have countered with plan which would
hand over all Western Ethiopia to them,
give the Ethiopians access to the sea
only through italian territory, require
rehabilitation of the Ethiopian army
and place Italy in absolute military con-
troll of the country. Halle SelaSsie
brands such a proposition as "unthink-
able" Should it ever reach the stage
of a formal proffer, it is bound to be
rejected as unacceptable by the League,
because it would snuff out all vestige
of Ethiopian independence.
Offer and counter-offer will be the
order of the day as the tragic game Of
battledore and shuttlecock proceeds. So
terribly much is at stake that mankind
clings desperately to the conviction that
the end of the contest must and will,
after all, be peace.