IL DUCE’S HOPES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 210, 5 August 1937, Page 9

IL DUCE’S HOPES

RECOGNITION OF CONQUEST. LEAGUE AND ABYSSINIA. OVERTURES TO BRITAIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Aug. 4. The diplomatic correspondent of the Morning Past says that recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia is the question underlying the exchange of letters between Mr Neville Chamberlain (Prime Minister of Britain) and Signor Mussolini. No reference is made to the subject in the letters and Mr Chamberlain made no promises, as the matter is one for Cabinet, but. Signor Mussolini, it is gathered, would not be satisfied with less than a League declaration that the Abyssinian Empire no longer exists. II Duce is- apparently convinced that the British Government is in a position to give tho necessary lead, which other members of the League of Nations would follow. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that the French Government’s attitudo toward recognition of the conquest of Abyssinia will almost certainly be governed by the advantage that can be gained from such a step. However, no French statesman is prepared to make an unconditional concession with the risk of finding it hailed as another triumph of Fascist strength over democratic weakness. France is ready to go a long way in order to secure a change from the present disastrous state of French and Italian relations, but she is not prepared to take any step not giving real promise of progress in £he right direction.