The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-09

It's authority upon the CIVIL
lied world as an upholder of
peace.
? The question of whether Eng
land and Italy are to remain
friends or become open enemies in
a struggle for dominance IN the
Mediterranean
g. The ability Of France, England
and Italy to maintain the united
front against beiligerent Germany
which they formed at Stresa.
4. The possibility that the powers
divergent viewpoints may precipi-
tate war in Europe.
Since the Sc year-old enmity be-
tween Ethiopia and 1t " flared up
savagely last Dec. 5 when scores
were killed and wounded in the
armed clash between native EthiO-
plan and Italian troops at Ual Ual.
those questions have become hourly
more harassing to diplomats.
Italy Needs Colonies
BenitO Mussolini has made It
plain that nothing less than an
Italian prOtectorate over Ethiopia
viii satisfy him He justiies his
demand by the argument that
Ethiopia is a backward. slave-trad-
ing state. unfit to hold League men,
bcrship.
But simultaneously he has pro-
claimed a doctrine of eXpediency.
Italy's teeming population needs
new colonies, new sources of raw
materials. such as cotton. coffee,
coal. iron. oil and copper which
italian COlOnists could produce in
Ethiopia. The vital urge for eX-
pansiOn viii brook no obstacle
from whatever source-Il Duce has
bluntly warned
His aggressive attitude toward
interference" is causing much I'M
easiness in Britain.
Britain Fears for Suez
First British-Owned cotton in the
Angl0-Egyptian Sudan is watered
by the Blue Nile. which has its
source in EthiOpia's Lake Tsana.
Furthermore. an Italy entrenched in
Africa would. in British eyes, re-
semble a razor periling the Suez
Canal. iugular vein of the empire,
through which flows British trade
to India and the Far East.
How to eliminate that threat
without breaking with Italy is the
question giving British statesmen
SleeplesS nights. Both England and
France regard the League as the
sheet anchor of their foreign poll
cics and the British have sought to
enlist France in their effort to
checkmate MuSsolini.
But France is an unwilling CO.
operator. While common action
with Eng I'd against the threat of
Hitler i 1T keystone of her policy
she is unwilling to ALLEVIATE Italy,
new friend. upon whom she depends
TO hald any Nazi attempt to annex
Austria
DuCe Rejects Eden'S Proposal
It appeared certain that Italy. like
Japan and Germany. was prepared
to bolt the League rather than sub
NIT to Geneva.
MuSsOlinl rejected Anthony Eden'S
offer on June 25 to give Italy a
strip Of land connecting Eritrea
and Italian Somalland in return
for sending to Halle SelaSSie of an
O,tlet to the sea through the
British port of leila in British
SOmaliland can offer which brought
the British government considerable
CenSure at hOme).
He bruSquely rejected the offer
at the tri-pOWer conference in Paris
of sweeping economic concessions to
Italy in Ethiopia Halle SelaSSie
was not even Consulted.
Granting of a gigantic oil con-
CesSlOn to American interests at
this crucial moment complicated
the situation until the concession
holders. on the inSistence of Secre-
tary COrdeu Hull. agreed to abandon
the rights captured for them by
Francis w. Rickett, British pro-
moter.
AlOisi RefrainS From Voting
Italy'S determination TO promote
civilization" in EthiOpia-and at the
same time tap that Country'S con-
siderable natural resources - ap-
peared irrevocable up TO Sept. g.
Then. five minutes before the
council was to meet. and after hear
ing from Premier Pierre Laval that
French opinion was Soidlv behind
the Leagues machinery for peace.
Baron POmpei AloiSi. II Duce'S
aStute spokesman agreed to refrain
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