Evening star., 1936-05-18
'DUMDUM' CHARGE
LAID To 7R|CKERY
Eden Says Lopez Obtained
False Evidence-'Budget
Leak Probe Pressed.
By the Associated Press.

bONDON, May l6.-fOrelgQ sec.
retary Anthony Eden charged before
the House of Commons today that
forgery, deception and trickery were
used to obtain fabricated evidence"
of Ethiopian dumdum bullets pur-
portedly made in England.
He said the evidence was obtained
by Col. Pedro Lopez, whom the Brit
ish knew as a notorious purveyor of
false information.
Stung by Italian allegations which
we're hastily withdrawn from Geneva
last week, Eden took advantage of a
question in Commons to tell the story
of Lopez's activities.
He began the narrative after tell
ing Commons that he was unaware of
any practical steps which could be
taken to bring the United States into
the League of Nations.
Lopez. he said. was British subject
of Polish origin and was well known
In England under number of aliases.
He posed in London as an Ethiopian
arms purchaser, the foreign secre-
tary declared.
Charges Forgery.
Then he resorted to forged letters
and trickery to induce a munitions
firm to supply him with sample am
munition, Eden charged.
These samples, the foreign secre-
tary went on. were used to persuade
Italian authorities that such ammuni-
tion was being exported to Ethiopia
with the official connivance of the
United Kingdom.
Eden's statement in regard to the
United States was in reply to ques-
ton by Ellis Smith. Labor member
Of the House, who asked if anything
was being done to induce the United
States to join the Geneva body.
Smith also asked Eden If he would
ask the United States to open nego-
tiations with view to reaching an
agreement on economic cooperation.
Eden answered: IF Mr.. Smith has
in mind the removal of obstructions
to international trade. that is the con-
slant aim of his majesty's government
1T will at all times welcome the CO.
operation of the United States Gov
ernment as well as of other govern
ments in this sphere. but I am most
doubtful as to whether the opening Of
general negotiations would facilitate
the attainment of the object Mr.. Smith
has in mind"
Baldwin Indicates Hope.
Prime Minister Baldwin frequently
both in and out of the Commons. ha;
referred to the United States absence
from Geneva and indicated a hopt
the United States would join thu
League.
Official and diplomatic circles, how
ever. roundly denied there had beer
any official approach on the subject.
The foreign secretary said Italiar
allegations that Ethiopians had uset
dumdum bullets supplied from Eng
land we're baseless and were framed OF
what could only be described as
fabrication of evidence"
Meanwhile. Sir Alfred Butt. mil
lionaire sportsman and Parliamen
member, told the British bulge
leak" inquiry that Colonial Secretar!
j. H. Thomas cleaned up 632 pounds
9 shillings (around s3160 in "insur
ance" against the 1895 general cleo
ton.
Sir Alfred, who denied vehementll
that he and Thomas ever talked anou
the recently announced budget, sait
he had induced" the cabinet member
to take out 1000 pounds sterling in
surance against an election being helt
in 1885.
The transaction was arranged wher
the two met at race track, Sir Al
fred explained.
Following the general election, VOL
by the national government will
which Thomas was identified. tn
Parliament member sent Thomas {
check for G6329, he testified.
That was after he had deducted
the insurance premium from tn
total face value of the policy, 81
Alfred said.
prior to the 1885 general election
Thomas was secretary for dominion
in Prime Minister Baldwin's nationa
government.
(He became secretary for the colo
nies after Baldwin's government fa'
beaten of spirited labor opposition t
remain in ofice.)
Says Secretary Was Upset.
Sir Alfred told the inquiry, whicl
is seeking to discover who disclose'
the 1886 budget secrets ahead of time
that Secretary Thomas was very up
set" when the name of his son, Lesli
Thomas, was mentioned In connec
ton with the leak"
He said the minister exclaimed:
"'Our Les? What a damned stupi
rumor. He wouldn't do a thing lik
that. God, almighty, he wouldn't
What damned silly thing"
Sir Alfred fatty denied he kney
anything about the budget leak.
Before he testified Bernard Davis,
stock broker, had testified Sir Alfre'
placed somewhat extensive" sellin
orders in several stocks few hour
before the budget, carrying plans TO
higher income and tea taxes, wa
read in the House Of Commons.
Sir Alfred said he visited Thoma
in the secretary's office on bulge
day, but asserted they discussed
merely the prospects of a horse whicl
had been running at Newmarket.
Secretary Thomas name has fig