19 JULY 1935, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE Abyssinian situation has during the past week remained static on the political side, but by no means so on the military, for Italy continues to pour men and munitions into her colonies adjoining Abyssinia, while Abyssinia is being refused the arms she has ordered from various countries. Even the British Government, while it has not decided to refuse export licences, has not made up its mind to grant them, and the execution of orders is meanwhile suspended. There can be no justifi- cation for an action gravely injurious to the disputant which has from the first accepted arbitration and put itself in the hands of the League. The League Council if s211* is to meet within the next ten days, but it is not clear yet what aspects of the dispute it will have before it. Technically its business will be to add a fifth arbitrator to the four who have failed to reach agreement at the Hague, but it is obvious that if the sitnation in its widest bearing is not discussed by the assembled Statesmen inside the Council Chamber it will be outside. Italy has not .de.: dared her intention of being absent, and it is doubtful whether She' Will further injure her case by such a decision. From talks between Mr. Eden, M. Laval and an Italian representative some alleviation of the crisis might yet conceivably result. •