asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken through the British Minister at Addis Ababa to prevent hostilities between Abyssinia and Italy; and whether he can make any further statement on this subject?

His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa has from the beginning with the full authority of His Majesty's Government used his good offices to promote an amicable settlement of the present differences between Italy and Ethiopia. I have no further statement to make except that I understand con versations have begun in Addis Ababa between the Italian Minister and the Ethiopian Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to raise this matter at Geneva?

No, Sir; I think we had better see how the matter goes on. It is going on from day to day, and Geneva does not meet for a little time.

Would it be possible to do something in this matter before it gets too far for anything to be done?

I do not think the British Government can be reproached with not having shown activity, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that it is not in every case in every part of the world that it is desirable that the British Government should raise every question.