BRITISH TASK COMPLICATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 206, 3 September 1935, Page 7

BRITISH TASK COMPLICATED

RICKETT’S OIL CONCESSION BRITAIN S GOOD FAITH QUESTIONED IN FRANCE FURTHER DETAILS OF THE CONVENTION CABLED (By Telegraph—Pre-s Association—Copyright) Received Sept. 2, 9.15 p.m. LONDON, Sept. j. Paris comment and the French Press reveals how Mr. Rickett’s concession complicates Mr. Eden’s task at Geneva. Despite the Foreign Office denial, Britain’s good faith is questioned. La Intransigeant bitterly likens England to a person wishing to save a poor sheep from a wicked wolf, hoping itself to do the fleecing. Le Matin questions whether the Foreign Office statement is the whole truth. The semi-official Lc Temps considers it strange that the British Minister at Addis Ababa knew nothing of negotiations conducted for three years. “It will be difficult to ask the League to decide the responsibility and force sanctions to profit particular interests,’’ adds that paper. “Britain should be above suspicion.’’ Sir Percival Phillips, in the Daily Telegraph, says that the foreign legations at Addis Ababa were stunned by the news, the details of which were received from Europe, so great was the secrecy with which the negotiations were conducted". Foreign experts consider that the concession is a death blow to the 1906 treaty, against which Abyssinia always protested. The fact is stressed that Mr. Riekett acted on behalf of an American company, and consequently does not involve Britain. Those close to the Emperor declare that Selassie has made a shrewd move after careful consideration, and is prepared to stand firm, whatever is the pressure from abroad.

Sir Percival Phillips cabled the full text of the convention, consisting of 33 articles. In addition to the points already cabled, the convention provides that the company shall train and employ Abyssinians as far as possible, and the majority of the directors shall be Americans or Abyssinians. Disputes shall be referred to arbitrators, of whom the president of the International Court of Justice at The Hague may be asked to appoint one. The company is to be exempt from taxation, possesses full police power in the conceded area, and can erect railroads, bridges, telephones and wharves, which will be available to the Government on payment of suitable fees.

PROMPT ACTION BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT ’ NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION ADVICE TO THE EMPEROR. [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Aug. 31. Up to a late hour this evening the British Government had received no confirmation of the report in the Daily Telegraph and other newspapers of concessions by the Abyssinian Government to Mr. F. W. Riekett, representing the African Exploitation and Development Corporation. Mr. Riekett is a British subject, and although the corporation is registered in America, the reports suggested the participation of British interests. The reports of the concession created consternation in London official quarters and it was considered necessary at once to issue a statement declaring that no support or encouragement, official or unofficial, had ben given to the enterprise, of which, in fact, the British Government had no information.

Inquiries as to the facts were immediately set on foot, and Sir Sydney Barton, British Minister at Addis Ababa, was asked for a report which is still awaited. Meanwhile the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, and the Minister for League of Nations Affairs, Mr. Anthony Eden, were urgently consulted, and the grave view taken of the situation is indicated in the following communique issued by the Foreign Office late last night:— “His Majesty’s Government has as yet received no confirmation of the report in to-day’s Press of the grant of concessions of oil and mineral rights in Abyssinia, but has felt it necessary to inform His Majesty’s Minister at Addis Ababa that such concessions would undoubtedly be a matter for preliminary consultations by His Majesty’s Government with the French and Italian Governments under* Article II of the Tripartite Treaty of 1906. In these circumstances Sir Sydney Barton has been authorised, if the report is true, to inform the Emperor that His Majesty’s Government must * for their part advisv him to withhold the concessions.” The prompt action taken by the British Government was warmly acclaimed in Paris and Romp. In Paris it was emphasised that the British stand will facilitate matters at Geneva, where the Italo-Abyssinian dispute will be considered at the League meeting oa Wednesday. Tn Rome undisguised gratification was expressed at the British action. BRITISH GOOD FAITH NO EXCUSE FOR SUSPICION (Times Cable) Received Sept. 2, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 1. The Tinies tays that the Foreign Office statement leaves no excuse for suspicion regarding British good faith. It would be entirely counter to the 1906 Treaty and ’he Anglo-Italian exchange of Notes in 1925 for Britain to accord the slightest support to the concession. Though the Emperor is not bound by these instruments, Britain’s advice is worth consideration. In any event, the Foreign Office has placed the concession in an unmistakeably true perspective as a venture by private enterprise, and Mr. Eden will continue hi? cool-headed energetic efforts for peace, wisely indifferent to the miserable stream of rnti-British calumny from the Sticcontrolled Press of Boms.

FOOD FOR ITALIANS DURBAN WOMEN PROTEST SOUTH AFRICA’S POSITION CAPETOWN, Sept. 1. Durban women, pursuing their campaign against supplying foodstuffs to nations contemplating war, announce a boycott of the stores connected with the firms interested in the recently concluded Italian contracts. Mr. Pi row (Minister of Defence), questoned regarding neutrality, replied: “If attacked ana fired upon we would fire back, without consultation either of the people or of Cabinet. If war is declared in the usual way, not one of your sons will be permitted to fire a shot without the jieople being consulted.” REFUSAL TO LOAD SHIP. SUPPORT FOR DOCKERS. Receilved Sept. 2, 10.20 p.m. LONDON. Sept. 1. The Capetown correspondent of (he Times says that the Cape Federation of Trades supports the dockers in their refusal to load an Italan ship with frozen beef for the Italian Army in Abyssinia. Farmers are divided on the question. General Hertzog will shortly con sider the Federation’s written protest against the extension of the meat subsidy to shipments for the Italian Army. SANCTIONS QUESTION MB FORBES’ COMMENT [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON”, ;-wpt. 2. ‘‘As far as New Zealand is concerned the question of san-ctions has not arisen,” declared the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes in an interview to-day. He said that the Imperial authorities werp in constant touch with the New Zealand Government, keeping it confidentially informed of every development. Mr Forbes declined to comment on the Australian Government’s attitude to sanctions. New Zealand, he said, would be concerned with any decisions the League might reach.