SOURCES OF THE NILE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1938, Page 7

SOURCES OF THE NILE

CONCESSION BY ITALY REPORTED BRITAIN TO HAVE COVERING TERRITORY PORTION OF ABYSSINIA By Telegraph.—Press Association, Copyright. LONDON, April 13. According to the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” the Anglo-Italian agreement will include an important concession to Britain—namely, the Abyssinian territory covering the Lake Tsana district, thus enabling Britain to control the source of the River Nile. It is semi-officially announced in Rome last night that the agreement will be concluded before Easter. INFORMATION REFUSED QUESTIONS IN COMMONS NOT ANSWERED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 12. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr C. R. Attlee, in a private notice of question in the House of Commons, asked the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain whether, in the negotiation of an agreement between Britain and Italy, any requests had been made for the incorporation of some Abyssinian territory in adjacent British territory by way of frontier rectification or otherwise for the affirmation of British rights and claims in relation to Lake Tsana. The Prime Minister replied: “As I have more than once informed the House I am not in a position at present to give any information regarding the subjects of the discussions now proceeding. BRITAIN AND ITALY. COMMITTEE TO FOSTER FRIENDSHIP. (British Official Wireless.) (Recd This Day, 10.47 a.m.) RUGBY, April 13. It is announced that an Anglo-Ital-ian Parliamentary Committee, to collaborate with the Government in fostering friendship between the two nations, is being formed. Sir Philip Dawson will be the first chairman and it is proposed to hold a dinner at the House of Commons immediately after the Easter recess, at which Count Grand! (Italian Ambassador) will be the principal guest. LEAGUE ACTION QUESTION IN COMMONS. PREMIER’S NON-COMMITTAL REPLY. (British Official Wireless.) (Recd This Day, 10.47 a.m.) RUGBY, April 13. Mr C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Opposition, in a private notice of a question to the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) asked whether any communication had been received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations (Mr Jules Avenol) with reference to the request of the British Government that the consequences arising out of the existing situation in Ethiopia should be placed on the agenda of the Council of the League of Nations at its meeting next month, and whether the Prime Minister would give an undertaking that the Government would act in conformity with the resolutions passed by the Assembly of the League relating to nonrecognition of conquests by aggression. Mr Chamberlain replied: “The answer to the first part of the question is that the Secretary-General has addressed no communication to the Government on this subject. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. With regard to the last part of the question, the Government has in no way changed its view of the importance of the principles enunciated in the resolutions to which Mr Attlee refers, but in their application to any case the Government must be entitled to take into account the attitude of other members of the League and the facts of the international situation.” NO CESSION OF TERRITORY DETAILS OF AGREEMENT CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA RECOGNISED (Recd This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 13. The text of the agreement between England and Italy shows that the agreement is far-reaching, covering exchange, armament, fortification and information regarding the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Iraq. Egypt, the Sudan. Arabia, the Suez Canal, Spain, the Balearics and Abyssinian boundaries, but will not involve Italy’s cession of certain Abyssinian territory to Britain. It will re-affirm the earlier Mediterranean gentleman’s agreement and likewise recognise the freedom of passage through the Suez Canal in accordance with the 1888 convention. The agreement covers Britain's recognition of the Abyssinian conquest, while it is understood that Italy will accede to the London Naval Treaty of 1937, by which Continental Powers are unlikely to exceed the 35,000 ton battleship limit.

GERMAN APPROVAL. MR CHAMBERLAINS REALISM. (Recd This Day. 10.35 a.m.) BERLIN, April 14. Giving its blessing to the BritishItalian rapproachement, the official journal “Diplomatik Korrespondenz,” says it is one of the principles of German policy to be devoid of jealousy or to desire exclusive friendships. A bilateral achievement of good relations contributes to general appeasement. If tension is eliminated it is thanks to Mr Chamberlain’s realism, his sober policy based on the facts and his pursuance of direct conversations.