The Abyssinian War The prominence necessarily assumed by the relation
between Germany and the Locarno Powers cannot be allowed to overshadow all other international questions. A war between Italy and Abyssinia is still in progress, and no desire, however natural, on Italy's part to take advan- tage of the international situation can alter the fact that the war she is waging is a continued defiance of the League of Nations and a continued violation of its Covenant. The sanctions imposed on Italy are still in force and must obviously remain in force. The League Committee of Thirteen has decided to make further attempts to effect a just settlement between Italy and Abyssinia, but with small hope of success, and meanwhile the decision of the Committee of Eighteen in regard to the imposition of petrol sanctions is once more suspended. All this means that there can be no hope of any substantial move towards peace till the end of the campaigning season, a month or two hence. Italy no doubt hopes by that time to have achieved further military successes, and a new offensive on the Southern front appears to be immin- ent. • Meanwhile Signor Mussolini has decided on con- scription for the Italian air force. That, and other particulars of Italy's impending strength in the air, show what responsibilities will be thrown on the collective system if it is to achieve its purpose of mobilising an overwhelming superiority of strength against the resources any single country can put into the field.
