The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-26


Laval:
/. That under no circumstances
will Italy attack Britain.
2. That he is willing to make
peace with Emperor Halle SelaSsie
on terms which, when all is said
and done, would be favorable to
the latter and not Interfere with
British interests.
The French government, while
loyal to Britain and to the League
of Nations, is profoundly convinced
that the comparatively small diff
ference between Britain and Italy
on the one hand, and Italy and
Ethiopia on the other, is not worth
another 100000 killed and wound
ed and the probable collapse of
western civilization in another
world war.
France Dreading War
France is described as being in
creasingly certain that such war
would follow conflict between Italy
anu EIlSldIlQ dU IIllS UIIlle.
Nazi Germany, it is further stated,
is even now preparing to tear up
the remaining chapter Of the Treaty
of Versailles, namely that which
forbids the military occupation and
fortification Of the Rhineland
Reichsfuehrer Hitlers plan of
German expansion has been toward
the east. But events have not de-
veloped well in that direction. On
the other hand the situation to the
west, from his point of view, is be-
ginning to assume a more favor
able aspect.
Both Headed for Trouble
Economically and politically, both
France and Italy seem headed to-
ward trouble. Berlin is convinced
that Frances Fascist organization.
the CroiX de FeuX Gross of Fire. is
preparing an attempt to seize power
at the first favorable opportunity.
If so, Communists and other left
wingers would likely intervene, Gre
ating a state of civil war-at least
for time.
Italy, in German opinion, faces
an outlook which is certainly no
brighter.
Should Italys war in Africa drag
out, take a bad turn, or begin to
suck in other European powers, the
Nazi dictators feel confident their
big moment would come. They
might then remake the map of
Europe.
Duce Realizes Position
These dire possibilities, Premier
Laval is said to hold, will not hap
pen if the alo-Ethiopian war can
be localized and brought to an early
end by mutual agreement.
Mussolini, according to French
sources, no longer entertains the
slightest doubt as to the danger Of
his position He is now quite GER
tain England will shoot if he at
tempts to seize all Ethiopia-or even
any large slice thereof-Leagu or
no League.
Accordingly, II Duce is said to have
told Premier Laval he will be salts
fed with Tigre province in the
North, strip of territory in the
Southwest and certain concessions
in the area remaining under the
Ethiopian king of kings. Existing
British and French interests would
not be molested, and Halle SelasSie
would be given much-needed aid to
lift his realm out OF saVagery and
disease.
The alternative of military sane
tons to drive out the Italians, in
the French view. means war in Eu-
rope, perhaps world destruction
That, say the French, is an insane
price to pay for the difference be-
tween the settlement apparently to
be had of Mussolini and that ap-
parently demanded by Britain.
For France, the issue is seen as one
of self representation. Premier Laval,
therefore, will likely go along with
Britain and the League as far as he
can with economic sanctions.
But if France joins Britain in
war against Italy as a result of this
imbroglio, it is reliably stated, he
will resign and some other premier
will have to make the move Few
believe any such could be found.