The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-01

 Europe has returned to c situation similar to that of 1914. He asked for prompt action to preserve peace and declared ominously that France would not remain passive if her soil or that of her allies is invaded.
 Eden informed the assembly that Britain's special Mediterranean obligations resulting from tho 1tal- ian- Ethiopian war would not be discontinued with the dropping of sanctions until the temporary un. certainty Is over. He referred to the mutual assistance agreements between Britain and various Medi- terrancan countries, except Italy. France Wants Peace
 Blum stressed France's desire for peace but indicated his government will not recognize Italy's conquest of Ethiopia.
 "Our desire for peace does not mean that we will remain silent before force or recognize victories obtained by force," he said."
 Blum begged that the league sim- ultaneously reenforce collective see curity and promote disarmament.
 He lifted the assembly from Ethio' pia's plight to consideration Of the world situation as Q whole and thundered for France that she would not remain passive if her soil or the soil of her allies were invaded.
 Blum was followed to the rostrum by Calico Soils of Panama who urged 6 world conference to con- sider formation of q new league on the grounds that the persent organ- ization Is not satisfactory and is faced with the wholesale withdrawal of American nations.
 Statesmen Startled
 But 1t was Blum's vigorous speech which astonished the world states men. He decried the increasing race for armaments and referring, evt- dently to Germany, said:
 "The mystery certain nations maintain regarding their armaments adds to the universal dread of war. War is almost inevitable the moe ment 1t Is considered inevitable. The friends of collective security should bar the route to those who are shaking the dice of war"
 Blum did not mention sanctions but the bloc of neutral nations, Nor- way, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, issued 8 communique asserting they reserved the right not to apply sanctions in future disputes until the world has been diSarmed.
 Assembly Amazed
 Plagued by new Italian and Ar- genuine threats to quit the league and shamed by Emperor Halle Se- lassie's denunciation for it's failure to prevent conquest of his empire, the assembly vas amazed by the viz or of Blum's speech.
 He denied that strikes in France and French failure to mobilize aft- CT Germany's rsmilitarization of the Rhineland were signs of weakness.
 Docs anybody think our reaction would have been the same if they tthe Germans) touched our soil or the soil of tho others we guaran- tec?" Blum asked the startled world statesmen.
 Blum declared that France wants peace. But, ne said, this does not mean that she will sit silent before force or recognize victories obtained by force.
 lie reaffirmed Frances loyalty to the league. saying.
 Certainly, inc league has just ex- perienced failure and 1t was power less to halt aggression. The trouble dees not lie In the covenant but in the method of applying it."
 No Modification
 He added that France would not accept any modification of the cov- enant but would consider new inter- pretations of 1t.
 While Blum addressed the assem- bly. Italian officials urged that Swiss authorities release Italian journal ists who were arrested after staging Q violent demonstration against Halle eelassie when he spoke before the assembly yesterday. They said that unless the Italian newspaper men were given their freedom. ten- sion between Italy and the league would become more acute.
 The arrested journalists are occu- pying large room ct the Geneva prison.
 The league secretaI tat forbade the ItaIldn journalists Marchili and Faseetti t0 enter the league build. lngs for fllelr part in yesterdays demonstration akalLnt Halle Selas- ste. The ether eight italians arrest ed will he detained until Friday and prohahly wali bf expelled from swit- zeElnnA.