Evening star., 1935-09-05
Italy Defes the League.

Mussolini has made his first play at
Geneva. AS expected, it is an act OF
defiance. He challenges the Leagues
authority to discuss Italy's quarrel with
Ethiopia as controversy between
equals and truculently implies that
matters have reached point where the
League must choose between expulsion
of Ethiopia or Punishment of Italy.
That is another way of saying that II
the Council insists upon permitting
Halle Selassie to argue his case against
threatened Italian aggression. II Duce
will pack up, bag and baggage. and
leave the League to its own devices.
Following formal proclamation OF
Italy's position at yesterdays opening
Council session, Mussolini's spokesman.
Baron Pompeo Aloisi, declared that 1t
is final and irrevocable. He informed
the Council that the Rome government
reserves full liberty of action" with re-
Spect to its future course. Geneva is
in little doubt that this course Is lead
ing straight to war.
Baron Aloisis Council statement was
q bitter indictment of Ethiopia's right
to be regarded legitimate member of
the League. He said that Italy would
feel herself profoundly wounded in her
dignity as a civilized nation If she con-
tinued to carry on discussions within the
League on a footing of equality with
Ethiopia" Then the Fascist delegate
indicated that "as it is a question of
vital interest and primary Importance
for Italian security and civilization"
Italy intends to adopt any measures she
deems necessary to safeguard her rights
and colonial territory. Baron AloiSis
utterance was determined and belliger-
ent from start to finish. Nowhere did
it reveal any readiness to submit the
Ethiopian conflict to League arbitra-
ment. Italy manifestly intends to have
the war for which she has completed
such elaborate preparations. Military
conquest of Ethiopia is Mussolini's ire
ducible demand.
Only one ray of hope, and not q very
promising one, shone through the gloom
diffused by Italy's unyielding attitude.
1t emanated from Great Britain. Capt.
Anthony Eden af1irmed his govern
ment's purpose to vindicate the League
covenants principles in the present
crisis. He adjured the Council not to
blind itself to the fact that .Genevas
existence is at stake, and that II the
League fails to rise to the emergency,
its collapse, and incidental world
calamity" would be inevitable. "Acutely
conscious of its responsibilities as
League member" the British spokesman
asserted that his country 'is prepared
whole e-heartedly to fulfill its share of
certain obligations in the difficult task
that confronts us ALL" On all hands
Capt. Eden'S pronouncement was ac-
cepted as a pledge of British readiness
to invoke League sanctions" against
Italy If she is finally adjudged an
aggressor. French Premier Laval echoed
Capt. Eden's sentiments in general
terms, but threw no light on the extent
to which France is willing to go in
imposing sanctions"
Geneva is never the scene of prompt
decisions. Palaver and procrastination
are the rule at the League. Until Italy
actually withdraws from pending dis
cussions, however uncompromising her
conduct, the possibility will. linger that
reason may yet prevail, to the end that
the supreme catastrophe of war, with
its incalculable consequences, can be
averted. 1t is a slender enough hope,
but nations everywhere will cling to it
to the last.