AGREEMENT TERMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 15

AGREEMENT TERMS

ISRITAIN AND ITALY RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS ARABIA AND ABYSSINIA By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, April 7 One clause of the agreement between Britain and. Italy will provide for Italy's recognition of Britain's sphere of inllucncc in Hadraharaaut, 33,000 square miles of territory in Southern Arabia, where Italy, during the sanctions dispute, attempted to establish commercial organisations, say the diplomatic correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. Britain, in March, 1937, by Ordcr-in-Conncil, assumed Governmental powers over Hadrahamnut, establishing Mr. W. H. Ingrams, of the Colonial service, as political adviser at Mnkalla.

The Daily Herald alleges that Britain, by Air Force raids and visits of warships, virtually forcibly annexed the territory from the natives and has bargained for recognition by Signor Mussolini in exchange for recognition of the Abyssinian conquest by Britain.

It is stated on the other hand that Britain's position is legally watertight and will be recognised in the agreement. Britain regards it as of major interest that no hostile Power should be on either side of the Bed Sea because that would be a challenge to trade routes.

Actually, Britain became interested long before the dispute between Britain and Italy. The Australian Associated Press also learns tliat the agreement will be made public before it is signed, with two conditions before it is implemented: (1) Britain will not sign until the Italians evacuate Spain; (2) Italy •will not sign until Britain do jure recognises the conquest of Abyssinia. A Cairo message says it is understood that an Egyptian representative is attending the final stages of the negotiations between Britain and Italy to sign documents affecting Egypt.