In January 1935 Abyssinia asked the League of Nations to arbitrate.   Mussolini refused League of Nations arbitration.   Instead, four days later, he made a treaty with France – France would let Italy conquer Abyssinia if Italy would support France against Germany.   The Italians army got ready to invade.

 

Haile Selassie, the emperor of Abyssinia, asked for a meeting of the League.   In July, the League banned arms sales to either side (this hurt the tiny Abyssinian army much more than the Italians, who had tanks and bombers, and were ready to attack). 

            At the League, Britain talked about ‘collective security’ and said the League should defend Abyssinia.   In September, the League appointed a five-power committee to arbitrate in Abyssinia.   It suggested that Italy should have some land and power in Abyssinia.   Both Haile Selassie and Mussolini refused to accept the League’s plan.   In October 1935, Italy’s 100,000 strong army invaded Abyssinia.