Evening star., 1935-09-19
Peace Terms.

In Africa have now been laid before Italy
and Ethiopia by the League OF Natlons
Though they go far toward according
the italians a preferential position, in
Guiding a cession of Ethiopian territory,
early repercussionS indicate small like
lihood that they will find favor with
Mussolini. In an interview with a London
correspondent, II Duce derides the pro-
poSals as "ironical" and, referring to
the suggested land grants, SnortS that
he is not "a collector of deserts" Ethl-
opian spokeSmen reveal almost as little
enthusiasm for GenevaS eleventh hour
,rnanacea. Meantime the Mediterranean
in the neighborhood Of Gibraltar and
the Suez fills with squadrons OF British
warships-already said to number one
/ hundred and forty-four altogether-aS
London prepares against the contingency
that force may presently have to sup
plant argument in the grim task OF
bringing the Roman war lord to his
senses.
Broadly, Geneva's plan for composing
the conflict is to place Halle Selassies
realm under League tutelage, though
leaving the Emperors sovereignty and
the country's independence unimpaired.
The Ethiopians would receive thorough
going and far-reaching international
assistance" in their economic, financial,
sanitary, judicial, educational and po-
licing affairs. To that end the Adds
Ababa government would be supplied
with four foreign advisers, including a
chief League delegate to coordinate their
work. All five would be nominated by
the League Council with the Emperor,s
consent and report yearly to him and
Geneva.
Supplementing proposals for League
cooperation in the reorganization ana
development of Ethiopian life in all its
branches, Great Britain and France on
their own part propose solution OF the
question raised by Italy's demand for
Expansion" Ethiopia would cede to
Italy a corridor of territory linking Err
trea with Italian Somaliland, and en-
bracing the Danakil and Ogaden Prov
inces. AS compensation for parting with
these provinces, Ethiopia would receive
from Britain and France strips OF their
respective Somaliland territories flank
ing the East African coast, giving Ethi-
opians a direct access to the sea, which
they do not now possess.
Under the League arrangement Italy
would be assured Of the security OF her
colonial frontiers, the safety OF her ma
tionals resident in Ethiopia, control of
o number of monopolieS in natural re-
sources and extensive commercial and
colonizing opportunities. But the plan
distinctly denies Italy or any other
country the right to impose military or
political domination upon Ethiopia. 1t
is upon that rock that the scheme is
likely to go promptly to smash, as far
as MuSsolini is concerned. He has set
his heart upon conquest enSh1ned IN
military glory and upon utter control
vi GIIAAoP1h' 11io OAeolAAo oA eAi4pA4o e'Ao
far from realized by the terms the
League offers him. If he rejects them
out of hand as affording no basis for
negotiations, the Fascist dictator may be
certain that the only result will be to
solidify the verdict of condemnation
which virtually the whole civilized world
has passed upon his mad project to
restore the law of force in the arbitra-
ment of international disputes.