765.84/2986: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 9—2:35 p.m.]
1032. Marriner saw Vansittart12a this morning and while the latter could not give him details of the propositions which had been worked out between Laval and Sir Samuel Hoare because they were still under consideration by the British Government, nevertheless, discussed the matter in such a way that it became evident that the offer to be made is an enlargement of that of last August,13 that is to say, Abyssinia is to receive a port. Italy is to have territorial concessions on the border of Eritrea to take in most of the province of Tigre with the exception of the sacred city of Aksoum. The Ogaden and Danakil countries will be transferred likewise to Italy and some form of colonization scheme will be set up presumably under the sovereignty of the Negus for the Italian occupation and settlement of the lake region of Abyssinia south of the 8th parallel and extending as far as the 36th degree longitude. For the administration of the remainder of Abyssinia the Emperor will conclude a treaty with Italy similar to that proposed by the Committee of Five on September 1814 practically putting Abyssinia under a sort of mandate with advisers named by various nations including Italy.
Vansittart did not know in the first place whether a proposition of this nature would be accepted by his own Government and still less whether it was acceptable to the Italians. He did feel that Mussolini came nearer knowing now than hitherto that the game was nearly up and there could be no question but that sanctions were pinching Italy and that she greatly feared further pressure of this kind in particular with reference to oil. He indicated that it would be pointed out to Mussolini if he accepts the proposals to be made as a basis of [Page 700] negotiations that the question of oil sanctions which will come up at Geneva on December 12 will be postponed. Therefore they are expecting some reply from Italy before that date.
Sir Robert was pleased by the progress made with the French on this occasion and the agreement that now existed. He said that the bad feeling engendered between the two nations hitherto on this subject had been extremely harmful and had greatly encouraged the Germans who he said were certain to profit from every aspect of this situation. He said that the real hope lay in the fact that the League had proved itself stronger than anyone had anticipated and that the use of sanctions seemed as if it would be the means to bring about a settlement and should this first test of the method prove in any way successful it would serve as a hindrance to future aggressions of a like nature. However, he added that all calculations might be upset by the instability of judgment with Mussolini seemed to be showing.