Sly Gambit

Obscured by all the bong and glitter of pre-Coronation, a quiet little scene took place in Britain's High Court last week which may vitally affect the future of Anglo-Italian relations, possibly the peace of Europe.

In purple on the bench sat the Hon. Sir Albert Charles Clauson, C.B.E. Before him was a case in which stockholders of Haile Selassie's defunct Bank of Ethiopia were attempting to regain possession of certain securities, admittedly held by the National Bank of Egypt in Cairo, against the Italian-appointed liquidator of the Bank of Ethiopia, one Wladimiro Liguori. Plaintiffs brought in evidence a decree signed by Emperor Haile Selassie from his exile at Bath.

Ruled Justice Clauson: "Last December the British Government recognized the Italian Government as in fact the Government of the area then under Italian control. The effect of Great Britain's de facto recognition is that I am bound to treat the acts of the Government which was so recognized as acts which cannot be impugned.'' Referring to the decree signed by the Negus at Bath: "I cannot imagine any ground on which it could seriously be argued that I could pay any attention to it."

The plaintiffs, in other words, might whistle for their money, but the judgment meant more. Here was a sly opening gambit by which Britain, some months hence, may recognize legally the Italian conquest of Ethiopia and end a very tense diplomatic situation.

Just such a suit was the springboard by which Britain found herself on Feb. 1, 1924 suddenly able to recognize Soviet Russia.

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