Italy, Abyssinia and the League The prestige of Italy in
Europe, as one of the countries ranged on the side of international law and order, would be enhanced by a speedy settlement of her dispute with Abyssinia. • Up to the present the Italian and Abyssinian Governments have not made any progress in regard to the question of feparations for the Walwal affair or the delimitation of the frontier. The despatch of large and powerfully-equipped Italian forces to East Africa has, the Abyssinians reasonably maintain, created a new situation, in view of which they may well desire to remove the issue to the calm air of Geneva. Italy still insists that the dispute should be settled directly between herself and Abyssinia on the fines of the undertaking reached at Geneva last January. Abyssinia asserts that no agreement is in sight by this method, and is pre- judiced by the Italian threat of force majeure. The direct settlement would be satisfactory if it could be effected quickly. But there is no indication that it can be. Italy has it in her power to assist the general cause of peace by agreeing at once to refer the matter, as the Abyssinians wish, to arbitration under the auspices of the Council of the League.
