Evening Star Newspaper, December 4, 1935, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair and much colder with lowest tem- perature about 16 degrees tonight; tomor- row fair with slowly rising temperature. Temperatures—Highest, 35, at 5 pam. yesterday; lowest, 25, at noon today. Full report on page A-9. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 15, 16, 17 No. 33,454. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. he Fp WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1935—FOR15Y-SIX PAGES. #»#» WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION U.S.OILACTION AWAITS CONGRESS; STANDARD AND ITALY DENY DEAL; ROME TIGHTENS HOME DEFENSES < Raw Materialstig Battle Looms as Clashes Exports Are Problem. RISK QUESTION HELD ACADEMIC Revision of Policy Needed to Stop Oil Shipping. BACKGROUND— Summer war scare and Senate {nvestigation_of munitions profits resulted in passage of neutrality law by which President was au- thorized to declare embargo on im= plements of war to belligerents; Chief Executive subsequently pro- claimed Italy and Ethiopia in state of war. Threat of League of Na- tions to extend trade bans to oil, important war commodity, alarmed Mussolini, who was further dis- turbed at possibility of United States joining such action. During early stuge of hostilities American oil interests reported to have re- ceived concessions in Ethiopia; held in abeyance following protest by State Department. BY CONSTANTINE BROWN. Whatever the League of Nations decides next' week regarding an em- bargo on oil supplies to Italy, the United States Government will not interfere with the export of normal| quantiiies of oil to Italy until Con-| gress convenes and decides whether the neutrality act should be broadened to include an embargo on raw mate- rials to the belligerent countries. Meanwhile, Secretary Hull reiter- ated to newspaper men this Govern- ment’s determination to do everything possible toward discouraging abnormal sales of commodities listed as “war materials” to either Italy or Ethiopia. He did not comment directly on r -| ports that new legislation must pre: cede any official steps to halt ship- ments of commodities like oil, cotton and copper. The State Department has, for the | time being, no power to prohibit the export of any kind of raw materials to | Italy or Ethiopia, and if oil producers do not want to heed the warning of President Roosevelt not to deal with the belligerents, there is nothing the administration can do about it. The question of “risks” is purely academic. The League of Nations may declare an embargo on oil or cotton or copper, but such an embargo will net threaten American shipments unless a blockade against the aggressor is de- clared by Geneva. And for the time being such a measure is not even dis- | cussed, either at Geneva or in London and Paris. Method of Oil Purchases. Furthermore, the Italian govern- ment which continues to purchase large supplies of oil in the United States takes this precious raw mate- | rial in its own ships and pays for its -aware that such a contract would | purchases before it is delivered in Dot only be impossible of fulfillment, | Italian or other non-American tankers. ‘This method of Mussolini’s govern- ment induces a number of independent ofl producers to overlook the admoni- tions of the State Department. They continue to sell oil while it is possible | o do so legelly. Congress refused last August to give the President discretionary powers to deal with America’s neutrality prob- | lem. It merely authorized the Chief | Executive to prevent the shipment of war materials to the belligerents. ‘When the State Department drafted & list of such materials to be placed i on the embargo list, it was forced to | limit it to actual weapons used in war- fare, guns, military airplanes and ammunition. The statement of Senator Pittman, Democrat, of Nevada, on the floor of the Senate that cotton would not be considered as war material wds taken as a clear indication that the Senate did not want copper, oil end other key materials included, for the time being at least, in the embargo list. State Department officials took this to mean that if they were to include anything else except actual war ‘weapons in the embargo list individ- uals or corporations could obtain an injunction from the courts ordering the United States Government to re- frain from interfering with the exer- cise of the legitimate and lawful busi- ness of its citizens. Of course, if a blockade were de- clared against Italy the situation would change radically. On receiving a notification to the effect that a blockade has been de- clared the United States Government | will inform its citizens that any ship- meni of goods to the blockaded (See OIL, Page 4.) DUPLICATE OF TAX RETURNS FORECAST Treasury Drafts Rules to Provide Local Officials With Data. By the Associated Press. Treasury officials are drafting regu- lations to require the filing of dupli- cate tax returns en 1935 income, The extra copy of a taxpayer'@re- turns will be made available to local for this requirement was inserted in last session’s tax law after repeal of the “pink slip” publicity provision. Treasury officials said the regula- tions were in a formative stage, but assumed the duplicate would consist ¢ of a colored sheet, possibly green. They ‘were unable to say whether the dupli- | interest had reached an understand- | more, that officials of that company Four Italian W hite (Copyright, 1935, by the Associated Press.) ASMARA, Ethiopia, December 4.— The major battle long anticipated be- tween Italy and Ethiopia seemed near- er at hand today as skirmishes grew hotter. Four Italian white soldiers were killed today and the Ethiopian de- fenders suffered undetermined losses in two clashes. One was at Debri, southwest of the main Italian front lines at Makale, where the four Fascist troopers were reported killed. the Takkaze River, west of the main Italian army. These fights, coupled with yester- Ethiopians Suffer Undetermined Losses in Two New Encounters. The other encounter occurred near | < Soldiers Slain and day’s outpost skirmish on the Makale- Dolo line—the first contact between Italy’s northern forces and Ethiopia’s concentrated forces—were said by Italian officers to show that the enemy was pressing in considerable force against the Fascist front lines beyond Makale, ROME, December 4 (#).—Marshall Pietro Badoglio, commander in chief of the Italian armies in East Africa, disposed of the two Ethiopian war fronts today with the shortest com- munique yet issued. He telegraphed: “There is nothing | of note to report on either the Erit- | rean or Somaliland fronts.” 0.5, 0IL MONOPOLY 15 DENIED IN ROME {Teagle Also Disavows Exist- ence of Exclusive Sale Rights. By the Associated Press. ROME, December 4—The Italian | government issued the following com- | munique today through the official news agency: | “Several American and English | newspapers have published news re- garding a supposed petroleum monop- oly which the Italian government was | said to have conceded to ‘the Stand- | ard Oil Co.’ of New York. This news is completely devoid of foundation.” (The report referred to mentioned | & subsidiary of the Standard Oil Co. |of New Jersey.) | OIL SUPPLIED ITALIANS. Standard Official Explains Status of Subsidiary. NEW YORK, Decemeber 4 (#).—The | Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey said | yesterday it was continuing to supply oil to its Italian subsidiary. Walter C. Teagle, president, how- | ever, denied “unequivocally” & pub- | lished report that through its Italian | subsidiary it had guaranteed 11 Duce |a supply of petroleum for the dura- i tion of the war in return for a valu- { able monopoly. Teagle issued a statement saying the | report sounded like “a preposterous piece of propaganda.” He said: | “I can unequivocally deny that any such arrangement has been considered. So far as I know it has not even been proposed to our Italian company. The officials of that company are | but also would under no circum- stances be accepted by us.” Teagle Adds to Statement. Later Teagle issued the following statement: “In denying the story that a Jersey ing to provide Italy with oil in return for an exclusive monopoly, I said last night that, so far as I knew, no such arrangement had ever been proposed to our Italian subsidiary; further- knew that such a contract would not only be impossible to fulfill but in no circumstance would be accepted by us. “This morning I have a cable from our European management (in Paris) as follows: “‘With reference to this morn- ing's sensational and absurd report, the French radio has this morning broadcast a categorical denial by Rome government, also your official denial. Hawkins, the local manager of F. I A. P. at Genoa, advised us it was first information he had of such a report, as no reference appeared in local press. Opinion in responsible, well-informed quarters here is that false report has been cirulated with intent to cause embarrassment on eve of Geneva meeting.’ “I reiterate that the published re- (See MONOPOLY, Page 3.) e Germany Importing Meat. BERLIN, December 4 (#).—Large quantities of Argentine and Uruguayan frozen meat will be imported into Ger- many beginning with the new year, it was officially announced today. ‘The importations are a result of ne- gotiations initiated by the German commission in South America recently g informed sources said. LAVAL PEACE PLAN DELAY EXPECTED | Premier Will Await Move by Selassie or Duce, Paris Says. BACKGROUND— In late June, Sir Anthony Eden, Britain’s traveling envoy, visited Rome, offered Mussolini land con- cessions in East Africa. First specific peace proposal in Italian- Ethiopian controversy, offer was re- jected by Il Duce. Through suc- ceeding months, Britain, France and Italy deliberated frequently over peace possibilities; failed to establish eflective grounds for me- gotigtions. Ethiopian government, previously declaring there could be no peace while Italian troops re- mained within country, yesterday appealed to supreme authority of Coptic Christian Church for inter- vention with Italian government. (Copyright, 1935, by the Associated Press.) PARIS, December 4—Premier Laval was described in authoritative quarters today as waiting for an indication that Premier Mussolini of Italy or | Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia | is ready to talk peace before submit- ting a plan for settlement of the war in East Africa. French officials, denying that any plan yet was drafted, indicated they considered economic, rather than ter- ritorial, advantages were essential to | Italy. ‘While reports in diplomatic circles of proposed territorial grants were scouted, the possibility was admitted that Italy might gain territory in the determination of the frontiers of Eritres and Italian Somaliland. The exact lines of demarkation are dis- puted. The suggestion was heard in some quarters that the French premier might ask for a week’s delay in the application in the League of Nations’ oil embargo against Italy to give him more time for negotiation, since he has been busy in parliament keeping his cabinet in power at home. Officials indicated, however, that he would refrain from asking the League to delay voting an embargo. 0Oil Embargo Delay Seen. An informed source was quoted as saying: “The oil embargo undoubt- edly would be imposed, with a pos- sible delay of a week in its applica- tion.” Certain French' circles, however, said authorities did not believe the oil embargo would hamper the Italian forces seriously because “there prob- ably will be clandestine oil-running since there is no blockade.” French and British experts, study- to have split over terms for the yeace proposal, leaving the problem up to the foreign office heads. ‘The French favored giving Italy the territory in . Northern and Southern Ethiopia already occupied by Il Duce’s troops, but this suggestion was- re- jected by the British as too generous, The British were reported willing to propose merely an exchange of lands between Ethiopia and Italy, whereby Ethiopia would give Italy part of its Naval Leaves Increase Near Main Lines| Canceled by Duce. SEA HOSTILITY IS RUMORED European Tension Over Sanctions Blamed. (Copyright. 1935 by the Associated Press.) ROME, December 4.—Troops which had been expected to depart for the Southern Ethiopian front are still in Italy amid a general tightening of | home defenses, usually well-informed | sources said today. All naval leaves also have been with- drawn by Premier Mussolini, it was reported reliably. Some of the sea forces were believed by informed quarters to be concen- trating in strategic points against the possibility of Mediterranean hostilities. The third arm of I' Duce's defenses —the air force, one of the most power- | ful of all—entered into the program | | of re-enforcement under orders by the | cabinet that all vacancies be filled. Sanction Tension. Speculation arose immediately that | troops were being held back from the East African warfare and sea and air forces were being marshaled for any eventualities arising from European tension over application of League of Nations sanctions on Italy. The Fascist army of 1,000,000 al- ready had reached full efficiency with the cancellation of leaves for 100,- 000 men. i The Fascist Granc Council, supreme | organ of the state iormed to pass on | measures dictated by Mussolini him- self, was believed generally to be for- mulating the defense program. The communique issued after yes- terday's cabinet session, announced no discussion of general policy, creat- ing the impression that only routine measures were left for that body's consideration. The scope of resistance to sanctions broadened swiftly, the military activi- ties being accompanied daily by new economic measures &s the present League penalties bore down and the time approached for the December 12 League discussion of enforcement of an ofl embargo. Economies Applied. Enforcing the program for increased Italian production and decreased con- sumption of oll, automobile officials said gasoline economies would be ap- plied even to their annual road-rac- ing classic. General defiance marked the home attitude toward Great Britain and what Fascists called “her league.” Con- tinued movements of supplies to East Africa bore out reports from the front that Italy’s armies were press- ing their penetrations into Ethiopia as rapidly as possible. Government sources insisted Musso- lini would listen with interest to any peace conversations, but that he had not advanced any proposals of his own for a final settlement. His appoinitment of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, chief of staff, as commander of the armies in East Africa, informed sources sald, showed that Mussolini desired a swift clean-up of territory already occupied and seizure of another great strip of land as a basis for negotiations. Il Duce would welcome a decisive Italian victory, it was understood, as a factor toward forcing Emperor Haile Selassie to accept a peaceful settlement on the basis of Italy’s holding all oc- cupied ground. 4 Italians openly hoped all this might be accomplished before sanctionist na- tions applied the projected oil embar- go—a measure which high Fascists maintained might result in a world ‘war. JAPAN HAS TRADE EDGE Chinese Buy More Goods From Tokio Than From U. S. SHANGHAI, December 4 (#).—Ja- pan has usurped the leadership long held by the United States in the rich Chinese markets, customs statistics for October disclosed today. American exports to China dropped to a low of about $3.966,000, while Japanese exports to China passed the $4,400,000 mark. The United States trade balance with China was unfavorable for the first time in years, imports from China to America amounting to about $4,400,000. under the clearing arrangement be- tween the nations. cate would be “sworn” copy or not, but ’nu“twanld be a true one, (See PEACE, Page 3.) King and Queen Surrender Rings in Fight on Sanctions Low of 16 Degrees Tonight Forecast; 25 This Morning Tomorrow to Be Fair, With Normal Due by Friday. Wi will get its first taste of Winter tonight, the Weather Bureau «arned. A minimum of 16 degrees is predicted. ‘The mercury dropped to 25 at 10 o’clock this morning, only one degree above the low mark recorded this Fall ening Star _——— JIM,MAYBE & WE CAN FIND A cmsnrun% The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. SPEAKING OF VOLCANIC DISTURBANCES — INE[]METAX“PI_UT"‘Sheriffs to Evict 13 Families From Shenandoah Park Homes Those Who Failed to Sign Homestead CHARGED AT TR Garnett Tells D. C. Court Jurors of Alleged Plan to “Settle” Claims. Wining and dining, secret confer- ences and tapped telephone conversa- tions will be described by the Govern- | ment in the District Supreme Court trial of two former Internal Revenue Bureau employes and a New York tax | consultant for what Secretary Mor- genthau has called “a plot to sell out the Government.” Qutlining the Government's case at opening of the trial today before a jury in Justice ¥. Dickinson Letts’ court, Wnited States Attorney Leslie C. Gar- nett told a lurid story of alleged con- spiring by John W. Hardgrove, former assistant chief conferee of the Inter- nal Revenue Bureau; Henning R. Nel- son, auditor of the bureau, and Frank B. McElhill of the New York tax con- sulting firm of Callaghan & McEIhill. Garnett charged the trio with plot- ting to defraud the Government in connection with allegedly improper ap- proaches made to Thomas N. Mc- Carter, president of the New Jersey Public Service Corp. and of the Edison Electric Institute. McCarter heads the list of prospective Government wit- nesses. Secret Meetings Alleged. Garnett declared the evidence will show MCcElhill “wined and dined” Hardgrove and Nelson and that there were secret meetings between Hard- grove and Nelson and mysterious tele- phone conversations among all three defendants in connection with an al- leged proposition to settle a $149,000 income tax assessment against Mc- Carter for a fee of $10,000. Garnett read telephone conversa- tions taken down by Internal Revenue investigators who listened in on con- versations between MCcEIhill and Hardgrove and between Hardgrove and Nelson after McCarter, upon instruc- tion of the Treasury Department, had pretended to accept an offer of Me- Elhill to settle the case. The United States attorney said McCarter reported his “suspicions” of McElhill to Treas- ury Secretary Morgenthau, explaining to the cabinet officer that McElhill had claimed he could get the assess- ment canceled within three days. For “tipping off” the Treasury re- garding alleged “approaches” made to him for settlement of a $150,00C tax assessment, McCarter was called by Morgenthau “a patriotic citizen.” Many Other Witnesses. Among the approximately 25 other Government witnesses to be called were @ dozen special agents of the intelligence unit of the Internal Reve- nue Bureau, who, under direction of Elmer Irey, chief of the umit, con- ducted a lengthy investigation which resulted in the indictment of the three defendants and a fourth man, Rich- ard E. Callaghan, partner of McElhill. The charge against Callaghan later was nolle prossed and it was an- nounced today he may be called as & Government witness. !epirh' that was ' obtained In connection with considerable evidence by Government investigators through tapping telephone wires of the de- fendants it was noted that the Gove ernment’s prospective witnesses in- cluded several “wire technicians” and telephone company representatives. It was understood phonograph records were made of certain conversations, but indications were the records would not be played in court. Hearing of testimony was delayed because of difficulty in securing a Jury satisfactory to the defense attor- neys, who are William E. Leahy, rep- resenting MCcEIhill; former United (See TRIAL, Page 2.) Readers’ Gfiide Applications Find Special Dispatch to The Star. LURAY, Va., December 4—Tomor- row will be moving day in the Shenan- doah National Park. Thirteen families in Page and | Madison Counties who have stayed | until the last minute are to be evicted by the high sheriffs. For nine of the families, however, it will be the old story, deeply tragic, of “we don’t know where we're going, but we’re on our way.” The unfortunate nine live in Da: : Hollow, Madison County, & mountain community, accessible only over a winding dirt road. Time and again they refused the Government's offer of subsistence homesteads. Now that the deadline is approach- ing, and they realize Uncle Sam meant business when he told them they must move, the families are willing to accept any offer. ‘The subsistence homestead applica- tions, however, were closed last April. | Unaware of that, heads of five of the | families came to Luray over the week SECRET DATALIT 10915000 JOBLESS Private Federal Figures Show 5,000,000 Drop Since March, 1933. BACKGROUND— Although periodic estimates of unemployment have been released by the American Federation of Labor, the United States Depart- ment of Labor and other agencies, their dependability always has been questioned. Using differeni sources and proceeding upon different as- sumptions, the estimates differed, giving rise to controversy. Census by F. E. R. A. was considered, re- jected as too costly. Recent esti- | ‘mate by Labor Department was that re-employment had increased rapidly in early Fall months. By the Associated Press. Semi-official estimates of unem- ployment, which have been in use for some time by the Government but were kept a secret until today, declare 10,915,000 persons were jobless last September. They also say 5,000,000 persons, formerly jobless, have found work since March, 1933. The figures originally were com- piled for President Roosevelt’s Com- mittee on Economic Security by Rob- ert Nathan, its consultant on un- employment statistics. Since that committee completed its* work last Spring, he has kept them current un- officially. Many Federal agencies have used the estimates and they have been (See JOBLESS, Page 4.) Difficult to Solve at Last Minute. Housing Problem end to see if they could still sign. One Dark Hollow resident took ad- vantage of the Government's offer be- fore it expired. He is Rev. G. K. Cave, and tomorrow brings no moving prob- lem to him. His neighbors, however, who have| no automobiles, probably will have to carry out their belongings on their backs over the rough road. Sheriff L. H. Lillard, whose duty it is to see that the court’s order that the park area be vacated b obeyed, said: “I hate to put them out.” In Page County the fate of the park dwellers who bave stayed to the last minute is happier Four families are | involved and Sheiiff Edward L. Lucas togk the resfonsibility of finding homes for them. He will move three to dwellings he located on the edge of the park, and the fourth is to be handled by the Rural Rehabilitatjon Administration. Both sheriffs will execute the evic- tion writs tomorrow, as they must re- port to the court by 11 a.m. Friday. FARLEY SUMMONS PARTY COMMITTEE Democratic Leaders Meet Here January 8—May Dis- cuss Two-Thirds Rule. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. Postmaster General Farley, chair- man of the Democratic National Committee, announced today that the National Committee would meet here January 8 to made arrangements for the party’s national convention. The committee, he said, might take up the question of abrogating the two- thirds rule for the nomination of presidential and vice resicential can- didates. He made, however, no pre- diction about this matter. All the committee could do, if it tackled the question, would be to make a recom- mendation to the convention. “The convention alone can settle that matter,” said the chairman. At the time of the 1932 Democratic Con- vention in Chicago, the Roosevelt forces, led by Farley, were intent on smashing the two-thirds rule, before the convention met. They abandoned the plan, however, when it appeared it would lead to a disastrous fight. “We had the votes to do it,” said Farley today. Time for Change Is Ripe. ‘With the renomination of President Roosevelt and Vice President Garner assured, this would be a good year to make the change from a two-thirds rule to a majority rule, it was suggest- ed to Farley. He made no comment, bowever, on his own attitude. He recalled, however, that when the prohibition question came up at a (P Means Associated Press. Yesterday’s Circulation, 132,135 Bome Returns Not Yet Recelved. TWO CENTS. WIND SMASHES PLANE, KILLING 2 ATBOLLING FIELD Landing Accident Costs Lives of Maj. Rice and Lieut. Geoffrey. BOARD SUMMONED FOR INVESTIGATION Craft Had Circled Scene in Ef. fort to Side-Slip Into Place After Trip From Long Island. Two Army fiyers—Maj. George E. Rice and Lieut. Harry H. Geoffrey— were killed today when their plane, en route here from Mitchel PField, Long Island, was swept into a hillside by & sudden gust of wind as they were at- tempting to land at Bolling Field. The ship, a Douglas O-43, was crushed in the center of the fuselage and the right wing was badly crum- pled. It did not eatch fire. Although the exact cause of the crash could not be learned immedi- ately, it was belleved the plane got out of control just as the pilot, Lieut, Geoffrey, was dropping down for the landing. Witnesses said the plane was about 50 feet up when caught by the wind. It veered to the left and was then swept backward into the woods bordering the field. The plane apparently dropped almost straight down through a small open- ing in the trees, since only one small sapling had been broken, Propeller Blade Buried. When nearby soldiers reached the scene the plane was turned toward the open field, some 35 yards away. One propelier blade was buried in the ground. Officers at the field said the motor was running when witnesses reached the plane, but the ship did not burn Lieut. Geoffrey, who was pilotin the ship, lived for a few mmu!gs lfltg he was removed from the wreckage, His body was mangled when thrown against the instrument board after the crash. The crash occurred shortly after 10 o'clock. Bolling Field officials said & 25-mile-an-hour wind was blowing, Visibility was good at the time. First Sergt. Harry Burke said he was driving near the scene when he saw the field ambulance coming. “Realizing there must have been an accident,” he told reporters, “I fole lowed the ambulance to the plane, Lieut. Geoffrey was screaming in agony as he was being removed. He must have died on the way to the hospital.” Had Circled Field. Other witnesses said the ignition switch had been turned off before the plane crashed. A laborer worke ing near the scene told Bolling Field officials the plane had circled the fleld once and was trying to side-slip in for a landing when a gust of wind swept it into the hillside. Mej. Rice was dead when the first witnesses reached the plane. A board of Army officers was sume moned to conduct an investigation, while Coroner A. Magruder Mac- Donald and eleventh precinct police also were making a study of the acci= dent. Lieut. Geoffrey was a native of St. Paul and his family still resides there. He was born December 19, 1906, and was appointed to the Military Acad- emy in 1926. He graduated in 1930, being commissioned directly in the Air Corps. Maj. Rice Frém Wyoming. Maj. Rice was born in Basin, Wyo., January 18, 1898, but claimed Ther- mopolis, Wyo., as his home address. He entered the Army as an enlisted sman in the Signal Corps during the World War, transferred to the Air Corps when it was first organized and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He recently attained the temporary rank of major. The latest addresses of the two men were given as Hempstead, Long Island, near Mitchel Field. (Picture on Page A-5.) F. M. RICKETT FLIES ON SECRET MISSION 0il Concession Negotiator Bound for Ethiopia, Pilot Dis- closes. By the Associated Press. PARIS, December 4—Francis M. Rickett, the Briton who negotiated the vast Ethiopian oil concession, from which the American interests involved later withdrew, reached Paris by air- plane today, saying he was “en route to Cairp and farther.” His American pilot, Lee Smith, said (See COMMITTEE, Page 5.) Santa Claus Returns to Town Collecting New Toys for Poor Guest of Star, Warner Bros.and N. B. C. Playthings Sought for Boys and Girls Who May Be Forgotten. ';nhclnuihm ‘The old gentleman will stay here until Saturday, December 14, so he can collect new toys for the boys and girls of Washington. is lending Santa Claus a helping hand. He went on the air last night, over Station WMAL, just at dinner time, and told what he wanted—all the toys he could get for the poor little boys and girls good friends of Rickett was headed for Ethiopia. Both men refused to explain their mission, They left this afternoon in the pri- vate plane for Rome. By Rickett’s Ethiopian concession, first revealed publicly August 30, Em-~ peror Haile Selassie deeded more than half the area of his empire to Amer= ican interests for exploitation and de- velgpment. The British government urged Rick« ett to cancel the deal and on Septem« ber 3 Secretary of State Hull in Wash« ington announced the Standard Vace uum Oil Co, which was to get the concession, had decided to withdraw from it. WAR SWEATERS HALTED Grayson Learns of Knitting Ace tivity for Ethiopians. NEW YORK, December 4 (#).— Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson, chair- man of the American Red Cross, came back last night from Paris, whese he presided over a meeting of the Inter- national League of Red Cross So- cieties, and learned to his dismay that “kind-hearted souls have been knitting sweaters for the Ethiopians.” “Rest assured that the sweaters didn’t get to KEthiopla,” he said, Vs