Evening star., 1935-09-03
The Oil of Ethiopia.


Senator Nye's Munitions Committee is
considering the feasibility of investigat-
ing the mystery of the Ethiopian oil con-
cession granted to the African De-
velopment and Exploration Company"
of Delaware. A thoroughgoing inquiry
into that amazing transaction is de-
sirable from every standpoint. the
world has seldom witnessed a clumSler
politico-economic venture or one so
capable, at highly critical juncture, OF
provoking serious international compi-
cations. If Senator Nye and his col
leagues can get to the bottom OF the in
credible deal which Emperor Halle Sc
lassie has concluded with British pro-
moter on behalf of alleged Anglo
American interests, the Munitions Com
mittee will render service comparable
to the far-reaching results obtained in
turning the searchlight on the machina-
tions of munition- n-mongerS.
On the face of the meager facts avail
able, the Ethiopian Emperor, IN barter
ing away subsoil rights embracing half
of his realm apparently calculated that
both the American and British govern
nients, because the concession was
granted to an Anglo-American group,
would lend it armed support against the
impending invasion of Ethiopia by Italy.
If Halle Selassie actually harbored any
such expectations he will be promptly
disilluSioned. In both London and
Washington all knowledge of the Rick
ett-Selassie deal is denied. Coupled with
expression of such ignorance, there is
undisguised reluctance to assume any
sort of official interest in or recognition
Of it. The British have brought pres
sure to bear at Adds Ababa, looking to
the withholding of the concession, but
the Ethiopian Emperor standing on his
sovereign rights to order the deStinies of
his country, proclaimS his determination
to let matters stand, despite universal
protest abroad against action which
gravely aggravates the tense 1talo-
Ethiopian situation.
Great Britains interest in the incred-
ible affair is paramount and acute. The
British suddenly find themselves sub
jected to the suspicion, both in Rome
and Paris, that their motives in oppos-
Ing Mussolinis war plans are far from
disinterested and that they themselves
cherish economic ambitions in Ethiopia
which they would deny the Italians
The result is that British efforts at
Geneva this week to stay II Duce's hand
will be sorely compromised, and prob
ably thWarted. There has been little
prospect that Italy would permit the
League to check her Ethiopian program
under any circumstances. Such chance
as there was has now, it is to be feared,
been blown sky high by the oil conces-
sion episode. Mussolini will thunder
loud and long about the "perhdious
Albion" that seeks to block Italy's civil
izing mission" in Ethiopia at the same
moment that it is obtaining rights to
monopolize that country's natural re-
sources. French opinion echoes Italian
resentment of Britain's alleged double
dealing.
AS far as the United States is con-
eerned, it goes without saying that the
American people unqualifiedly object to
being dragged into the Ethiopian mess
through the dubious medium of an elev-
enth-hour concession to an oil company.
If Mr.. Rickett has "sold" any idea to
the contrary at Adds Ababa, the Con-
quering Lion of Judah is doomed to
discover that he has bought gold brick.
Uncle Sam Is not investing in war in
Africa.