BRITAIN MAKES A CHANGE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21973, 23 December 1936, Page 9

BRITAIN MAKES A CHANGE

■ ♦ LEGATION AT ADDIS AHAHA a CONVERSION TO CONSULATEGENERAL (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received December 22, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 21. In a parliamentary answer last week the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) informed the House of Commons that Abyssinia had been for some time under consideration, with special reference to the retention of the diplomatic mission accredited to the Government which no longer exercised any local authority. , On the same occasion Mr Eden declared; “In any case, it is not the intention of his Majesty’s Government to accord de jure recognition of the Italian annexation of Abyssinia,” and concerning the decision now taken to convert the legation into a consulate-general it is emphasised in authoritative quarters that the Italian Government appreciated that de jure recognition is a matter on which the British Goveminent must reserve its attitude. The substitution of a consulategeneral for the legation at Addis Ababa is a separate matter, which is regarded in London as no more than a natural and practical measure foi the effective protection of British interests in Abyssinia. It takes account of the Italian control which clearly exists. It is understood that the French Government has taken a similar decision, which has been communicated to Rome. . Well-informed comment in London on the decision about the legation at Addis Ababa emphasises the absence of any connexion between it and the negotiations which are known to be in progress in Rome for an exchange of assurances between the United Kingdom and Italian Governments on the subject of the Mediterranean. It is officially stated in Rome that Bulgaria has recognised the Italian conquest of Abyssinia, and has received permission to create a consulate at Addis Ababa.