Coll 6/84 'Yemen: Attitude of Yemeni Govt. towards the Italo-Ethiopian dispute. Policy of H.M.G. in event of Italian occupation of Yemeni territory.' [‎134r] (267/699)

m
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
'
EASTERN (Arabia).
March 22, 1937.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 1.
E 1641/27/91]
Copy No. 123
Sir I 1 ]. Drummond to Mr. lulen.—{Received March -2.)
(No. 218.)
Sir, Rome, March 15, 1937.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that l have read with great interest
the copies of the despatches from His Majesty’s Ambassador at Cairo, Nos. 1385
of the 18th December last, and 223 of the 18th February, regarding Italian
policy on the Arabian coast of the Red Sea.
2. The appreciation of Italian aims in this quarter formulated by
Sir Miles Lampson agrees in general with the views submitted to Mr. Rendel
in a private letter from Mr. Ingram on the 16th February last; that is to say,
that while it is not the immediate aim of Italian policy directly and openly to
interfere on the Arabian shores of the Red Sea, efforts will be made to increase
Italian influence and prestige in that area in the hope that it may ultimately
perhaps be unnecessary for Italy to take any overt action to secure her purpose
or, at least, that if such action is necessary it may be taken at a moment and
under conditions favourable to Italy.
3. If it is considered that this Italian policy calls for energetic and strong
resistance on our side, there might perhaps be some advantage in stating
publicly and clearly that we, for our part, are determined to abide by the
spirit and the letter of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 1927 in regard to this
question, that we attach the greatest importance to its full observance, and
that the Italian Government have informed us that this is equally their policy.
1 see no reason why the Italian Government should take exception to such a
declaration, though, of course, the actual phrasing would require very careful
consideration ; indeed, in the light of the conversation reported in your despatcli
No. 182 of the 24th February, 1 believe that they might on the contrary rather
welcome it. Italian character being what it is, the Fascist Government no
doubt suspect us of intrigues no less subtle than their own; they are, of course,
aware of the friendly relations existing between His Majesty’s Government and
Ibn Sand, and they are perhaps afraid that we may support Ibn Baud in a
forward policy in the Yemen before they have had time to mature their plans.
4. The question arises of the opportune moment for such a declaration ;
I assume that it would be done by way of a question and answer in the House
of Commons as suggested by Sir Miles Lampson. I think on the whole that it
would be best that it should be made at a comparatively early date, so that it
could in a sense be linked up with the demarche made by Signor Crolla as
reported in your despatch No. 182. It is true that relations between Italy and
the United Kingdom are not at this moment too happy, and that perhaps later
in the year the atmosphere will have improved. If, however, we wait till then,
the declaration might have the appearance of being somewhat uncalled for, and
therefore awake suspicion, while if it is made soon the Italian Government
could hardly feel any resentment, since it could be represented to them that
His Majesty’s Government considered after Signor Crolla’s statements that it was
an announcement which could not but give pleasure to the Italian Government.
5. I am sending copies of this despatch to His Majesty’s representatives
at Cairo, Bagdad and Jedda.
I have, &c.
ERIC DRUMMOND.
[956 y—1]