765.84/523: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Secretary of State

592. For the Secretary. Saw Italian Ambassador to France at anniversary review this morning. In answer to my question he said that in his opinion war in Abyssinia is inevitable; that British Ambassador [Page 616] here had suggested to Laval a meeting between Mussolini, Laval and Hoare in an endeavor to find a solution that might avoid an armed conflict; that Laval had telephoned to Mussolini, and that Mussolini had replied that discussion would not alter his determination to maintain his position.

Straus