Evening star., 1935-12-24
BRITAIN T|GHTENS
MOOSE ON|TAL|ANS
.|NMED|TERRANEAN
Discussion of Extension of
Sanctions Quieted in
Preparations.
EDEN FORMALLY TAKES
FOREIGN OFFICE POST
Spain and Portugal Are Reported
Planning to Put Selves Under
British Protection.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Touched of by italian plans for
conquest OF Ethiopia, Europe has
been in military toment tor months.
October inUasion by Italy brought
November rebuke By League OF Nd-
tionS. NTH decision to erert eco
nomic pressure against GggreSsor.
In early December Britain and
France submitted Joint peace pro-
posal. Storm OF criticism brought
1UithdraU1l OF plan. resignation OF
Britain'S foreign minister, appoint
ment OF Anthony Eden. Merit
mOue uds British effort to assure
co-operation OF Mediterranean ma
tions in firm stand against Italy.
Meanwhile, II Duce's troops are
encountering unexpected opposition
in Slow Advance from north ana
south into Ethiopia.
BY the Associated Press
LONDON, December 24.--Grea'
Britain pursued its policy of pre-
paredness in the Italo-Ethiopiar
conflict today, authoritative sources
disclosing after conclusion OF salts
factory" conversations between the
British and French general military
and naval staffs that similar contacts
we're being made in other important
capitals.
Tightening all loop-holes in thu
Mediterranean against any possibility
of an Italian attack on nations ap'
plying sanctions, it was learned the
British government sought through
the military and naval attaches al
the various capitals information con-
cerning the readiness of the othel
countries to act.
With Anthony Eden formally TAX
ing up his duties as foreign secre'
tary, the government designed it:
actions to bring into solid. practica
form the present abstract status Of
mutual support under the covenant
of the League of Nations.
Sanctions Talk Quieted.
Discussion of an extension Of sane
tions against Italy, for its invasion
of Ethiopia, was quieted amid tht
defense preparations.
Eden, whose fame as a negotiation
is coupled with a reputation for tht
strongest belief in the League o.
Nations and its measures, was ex'
pected generally to proceed cautiousl!
for the present, to avert fresh un'
certainties.
Any definite action for imposition
of further penalties on Italy, therefore
was expected to be delayed at leas
until late January
BY then. responsible sources be
lieved. Premier Mussolini would b
forced to act-either for peace or fur
ther war-by the pressure of sanction
and the approaching African rains.
AS part of the preparations 70
mutual assistance, in the event tina
act should be toward war, Turkey wa
reported in Paris advices to be ask
ing Frances consent to fortificatio
of the Dardanelles, between Europ
and Asiatic Turkey, which were de
militarized under the treaty of Lau
same after the World War
French officials indicated that ma
ton was little inclined to supper
Turkeys reported fertilization reques
because it would involve the contro
versial question Of treaty revision.
Spain Delays Reply.
French sources also said Spain ha
delayed its reply to British sounding
on preparation for aid, in case of an
Mediterranean attack, because of in
ternal complications.
Madrid advices, however, said
treaty was reported under considera
tion by the Spanish and PortugeS
governments interpreted by informet
sources as a. mutual defense move
tending virtually to eliminate tn
boundary line between the two coun
tries and place the Iberian Peninsula
under British protection in the even
of war.
Informed sources pointed out tina
Portugal already enjoys large degre
of British protection while. unde
present conditions, Spain's position
might prove extremely vulnerable !
a Mediterranean conflict arose.
The treaty reparted under consider
alton would provide for mutua
SnaniSh-Port1lp1leSe defense If eithe
should be threatened with invasion
and Spain would join Portugal in &C
cepting, to lesser degree, British al
in any Mediterranean clash.
ITALY REPORTS 700 KILLED.