NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE French and British delegations seem to have taken each other by surprise at the Geneva dis- cussions this week, for the French Were not prepared for the British declaration in favour of oil sanctions, nor the British. for the French proposal for a fresh attempt to end the war by agreement. The attempt at conciliation has been accepted, and any decision regarding sanctions has been postponed for a week to enable the combatants to take counsel and frame their answers. That is no great matter in itself, but it is obvious that negotiations never meant to lead. anywhere can easily be set on foot for the purpose of staving off the oil sanction decision once more. The situation is far from simple. The League's obvious business is to make peace if it can, laid since it was not certain how soon the Emperor of Ethiopia, who is with his armies in the field, could he reached, a week was not too long to allow for his reply. But more will have been lost than gained if Signor Mussolini suggests terms which, while inacceptable in themselves,, leave room for protracted negotiations, with which the, imposition of further sanctions would be . inconsistent. . The Emperor, if he is wise, will take his stand on the proposals framed.-by the Committee of Five last September. The League, having approved that : plan as .fair, has no justification for going an inch beyond it.
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