The Government is not ignorant of that. The Prime Minister
knew perfectly well what the Italian situation was when he declared at Bramham Park on Saturday that the sheet-anchor of Great Britain's foreign policy Was the League of Nations. A grave situation may have to be faced, and it is essential to work as closely as possible with France, whose whole post-War policy will be shattered if the League of Nations is successfully defied by Signor Mussolini, There must be no threats to Italy. But equally Italy must be left under no misapprehension about our attitude. Abyssinia's appeal is before the League. A conciliation committee is at present sitting. If in spite of that war is deliberately forced by Italy—which is pledged by formal treaty never to resort to war as an instrument of national policy—then she should be told clearly that we shall stand by the Covenant we have signed, and if need be move at Geneva, jointly it may he hoped with France, for any action by League States that the situation may demand. Measures limited strictly to economic pressure could put Italy in a 'very difficult situation. It would be deplorable to have to take them, but the idea must not gain currency that they would in. no circumstances be taken.
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