OIL CONCESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22205, 4 September 1935, Page 11

OIL CONCESSION

BRITISH DISCLAIMERS MR. RICKETT CONFIRMS ITALY NOT SATISFIED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 3. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 3 The Rome correspondent of the Times says Italy is dissatisfied with Britain's disclaimers regarding the Abyssiiaian oil concession. Signor Gayda, director of II Giornale d'ltalia, declares that the formula of "know nothing" has often covered daring designs. Britain has now clearly stated that the affair does not follow the line of British policy, and therefore will not enjoy the Government's protection either to-day or to-morrow. Mr. Rickett's manoeuvres are strikingly similar to previous British penetration in Abyssinia, says Signor Gayda. Whatever the truth, the affair demonstrates the unworthiness of the Emperor of Abyssinia, who has again violated his engagements to Italy. The Daily Mail's Jibouti correspondent states that Mr. Rickett upon his arrival there said the capital of the concession company was entirely American and amounted to £10,000,000. An American staff would arrive immediately to start work. The Abyssinian Government, said Mr. Rickett, was readily granting all sorts of concessions; to non-Italians, but was reserving the right to revise the conditions in the uvent of non-occupa-tion at the end of possible hostilities. ABYSSINIA FIRM DEFENCE OF HER RIGHTS MINISTER'S DECLARATION LONDON, Sept. 2 "Abyssinia intends to defend her right to grant concessions, at Geneva," Dr. Tokla Hawariat, Minister at Paris, declared before leaving for Geneva. He added: "Abyssinia does not intend to be a guinea-pig for Italy's military experiments. The claim that we have no right to negotiate concessions is merely part of the European policy to strangle us." The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times says it is considered certain that the Emperor will reject Britain's advice to withhold the concession. It is pointed out that the late King Menelik never countenanced the 1906 treaty as it was i'elt to be rot binding on Abyssinia. The present concession shows the Emperor's firm belief in the nation's ability to defend itself. ALL AMERICAN CAPITAL BRITAIN NOT INVOLVED OFFICIAL STATEMENTS LONDON, Sept. 2 A meiisage from Paris says the British delegates en route to Geneva looked g;lum when they called at the Quai d'Orsay to-day. However, it is understood that Mr. Anthony Eden satisfied M. Laval that Britain was innocent of complicity in the oil concession move. Official circles do not expect the affair to affect the main Italo-Abyssinian issues. Sir Sidney Barton, British Minister at Addis Ababa, on his own responsibility refrained from conveying to the Emperor Britain's advice to withhold the oil concession in view of the American character of the company. Later he was instructed to suggest that the concession should be held in suspense. Sir Sidney informed Whitehall that Mr. Rickett's contract is purely between the Abyssinian Government and an American corporation. There is no mention of British participation. In spite of thin report the British Government is making rigorous inquiry as to whether British capital is directly or indirectly associated in the venture. Investigations of Mr. Rickett's movements help to explain the secrecy which enshrouded the concession. Ho went to Addis Ababa ostensibly to arrange the presentation of a Red Cross aeroplane to Abyssinia from Egyptian Copts. He carried a letter of introduction from the Coptic Patriarch. Mr. 'Colson, the American financial adviser to the Emperor, who witnessed the convention, states that British capital is definitely not invested in the concessionary company, which it is believed has guaranteed an advance payment of at least £200,000. This is being spent on armaments. FRENCH PRESS VIEW MAY PREVEIMT SANCTIONS PARIS, Sept. 2 Le Matin expresses the opinion that the Abyssinian concession has so shaken British sang-froid that it will perhaps bring success to those who aro striving to prevent any fatal intransigeance by the application of partisan sanctions.