THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Mr Churchill warns Mussolini of Abyssinian ‘trap’

From the Belfast News Letter, September 27, 1935
Photograph dated from 1939 of (from left) Hermann Goering, Count Ciano, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler (in SS uniform). Picture: PA/PA WirePhotograph dated from 1939 of (from left) Hermann Goering, Count Ciano, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler (in SS uniform). Picture: PA/PA Wire
Photograph dated from 1939 of (from left) Hermann Goering, Count Ciano, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler (in SS uniform). Picture: PA/PA Wire

The Italo-Abyssinian war threat was referred to Mr Winston Churchill in an address to the City Carlton Club, London, the previous day, reported the News Letter on this day in 1935.

Speaking as a “proved friend of Italy”, Mr Churchill said: “I must express my surprise that so great man and so wise a ruler as Signor Mussolini should be willing and even eager to put his gallant nation into such uncomfortable military and financial position.

“To cast an army of nearly a quarter of a million men, embodying the flower Italian manhood, upon barren shore 2,000 miles from home, at the end of a drain pipe like the Suez Canal, is to give hostages to fortune in a manner unparalleled in all history.”

The whole Empire was to support the government making their contribution the authority of the League Nations, said Mr Churchill.

“They also”, he said, “all supported the government in making it quite clear that there was no question of isolated action by Great Britain.”

He added: “Our duty and our vital interest in peace compels us to take our share and do our part in the workings of a great international instrument which seeks to establish the reign of law among nations and ward of the measureless perils of another world struggle.”

But he added that other countries must also do their part.

He said: “Not only France, but many other countries, must do their part as well as we. If we are forced to make exertions and run risks it must only be in company with many states, great and small, all of whom make a loyal and substantial contribution to collective security and collective action.

“His Majesty’s Government have also been absolutely right in strengthening our naval power in the Mediterranean and making sure that every precaution is taken by the British Fleets.

“We have held the command of the Mediterranean, which was gained for us under the guidance of the great Duke Marlborough, for more than two centuries, and know of no reason why we should not be capable of maintaining it at present time.

“But these precautions which the Admiralty have taken, and which they were bound to take, in no way differentiate position of Great Britain from that other members of the League of Nations.”

After expressing surprise at Mussolini’s actions Mr Churchill said: “Then in this position, against the goodwill the whole world, to embark upon what may well be a series of campaigns against people and regions which the conquerors of 4,000 years have never thought it worth while to subdue, that, l speak a proved friend of Italy, I cannot understand.”

On the subject of Mussolini, Mr Churchill concluded: “Machiavelli died before the guillotine was invented. If he had not l am sure he would have warned his prince against fastening his head in such instrument and daring anybody to pull the string.

“Italians ought to be grateful to an old friend like Great Britain for helping to keep them out of a trap like that.

“There are some Powers who would be quite glad to see Italy get into thoroughly dependent position. We are not one of them. I deplore more than I can say a course which seems to remove our Italian comrades and old allies from the group of great powers, who are striving to rebuild the harmony of the European family which the grandeur of revivified Italian nation plays so large a part.”

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