§ 42. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, whilst negotiating with Italy regarding the economic spheres of influence in Abyssinia, he kept in touch with the Government of Abyssinia; and whether and when the Government agreed to the building of a barrage for Lake Tsana?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe building of the Tsana barrage by His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Sudan was foreseen in assurances given to Sir John Harrington by the Emperor Menelik in March, 1902, and confirmed by an exchange of Notes, but the Agreement 2618 of the Abyssinian Government to an actual scheme remains to be obtained. The communication to the Abyssinian Government, during the course of protracted negotiations with Italy, of information regarding their progress would not have contributed to their successful outcome. Once agreement had been reached, the Abyssinian Government were immediately informed of the substance of it.
§ Mr. PONSONBYIs it correct, as stated in the Note which the Abyssinian Government sent to the League of Nations, that this Agreement was made without their knowledge?