Evening star., 1928-03-11
NAMING OF. RESIDENT MINISTER
TO ABYSSINIA HELD IMPORTANT
Removal of Southard From Singapore to New Pos,
and American Contract for Dam Stirs Wide
Interest in Europe.

Abyssinia issued by the former depart
ment contains sentence about Abys-
sinia's reputation for having poten-
tialities Of such an amazing extent that
1t might well become one OF the most
productive countries In the world"
Rubber. coffee, coal. copper. silver
gold. sulphur. potash. mica. iron hides
cotton. ivory. grain and other products
may become, under modern exploita-
ton. real factors In world trade instead
Of being, as at present, negligible In
their influence. The United States Is
putting a highly competent represent
ests get their share of sales OF develop
ment ma '.inery and OF the products
ultimately produced.
Road building Is one phase OF de-
velopment likely TO expand in Ahys-
sinia. The desert everywhere is yield
ing TO motor transport. making the pic
turesque camel caravan seem doomed
The American Engineering Corporation
said TO have received a contract To
build dam on the Blue Nile. announc-
ed that 1t would construct a motor road
coo miles or more long to use In trans
porting materials. but II would have
other uses without doubt Irrigation
from the impounded waters would make
a large area fertile. while electric power
would be generated for industry and
other uses.
Britain and Egypt have declared their
purpose To see that the impounding OF
water does not harm the Sudan and
Egypt by withholding now necessary
10 their prosperity. One assumption
has been that Abyssinia has been fiirt-
ing with the American concern TO prod
the British into some such develop
ment under their treaty rights. But
another opinion prevails that the Amer
ican concern might build the dam and
the British be given representation Oh
the body that controls distribution of
the water. thereby easing the minds oi
the Sudan and Egypt.
Irrigation Essential.
Cairo was the most excited by the
news Of the reported contract. Egypt
has been veering away from Britain
IN the direction Of virtually complete
autonomy leaving TO Britain some
broad rights, such as protection Of the
Suez Canal~~but the issue over the Blue
, Nile dam has apparently worked some
what 10 drive Egypt into a closer rela-
/ ton with Britain. seeing that they have
common interest IN defending their
| water sources. In the British Sudan,
| for instance, cotton cultivation Is large
and growing and irrigation Is essential
Ras Taffari. ruler OF Abysainia. has
had the advantage OF u trip to Europe
and Is guiding Abysslnia along mod
ern path. lie wants the country de-
veoped. this desire being Responsible for
| the tiutter IN various world capitals
| The United States lis not concerned
| with the intrtcacies Of the political
| situation. but wants an open door" IN
commercial opportunities. Dr, Julius
Klein. director OF the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce of the Depart
ment Of Commerce. recently told u
House committee that world competition
| is now entering upon Its most strenuous
pace and that American business must
be on It's toes everywhere and every
moment. Sending MIR, Southard To
Adds Ababa with the rank Of Minister
Resident IL one governmental move ~
help American business,
Economical freight handling Ia an
outstanding heed, ON the French rail-
road The rates sometimes are u serious
handicap, A shipment Of skins, for
example, from Adds Abaha, 4 diatanee
| NJ 40h miles. 10 the coast In French
Fsomaiiland has cost mare than 10 send
the same skins from there 10 New York