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trying to obtain such commodities as flour sugar and millet when from figures we had obtained from them they should be in possession of considerable stocks. Gros says that examination of stocks and the accumulation of accurate figures will be taken in hand at once though it will take about 10 days to prepare. I think that stocks obtained from the Yemen, French Colonies and Italian East Africa should be counted against reserves they hold. Our control at Perim could watch the Yemeni imports in which matter the Governor has now spontaneously offered co-operation. Goods from French Colonies should come here and be released as necessary in the manner I have already proposed. As regards finance we see no objection to allowing them to have such money as is required to purchase in Aden and in the Yemen and to this end their money could be released from their account in London. Grey tells me that they have behaved very decently about the £25,000 which was at (corrupt group) credit and agreed to release? it at once.
(3) We see here no objection to allowing Esperance to go to Jibuti and strongly urge that it be permitted to go and to bring sick and other useless persons to the number of about 300 for evacuation to Madagascar, if you are not prepared to allow demobilised soldiers to return as well. We see no objection to letting them go. The French are anxious to reduce their coal stocks amounting to about 15,000 tons so as to give Italy as little reason as possible for making fresh demands. They would propose that such ships as the ESPERANCE should take away as much as possible. It might be possible for us to obtain some of this coal, but it does not seem sufficiently important to worry about. If permitted to sail the ESPERANCE would return here for contraband control before proceeding to Madagascar.
(4) For our part I suggest we ask that petrol be returned here and that if this is not possible it should be destroyed On this point we shall have to be content with verbal assurances. We should also require maintenance of the Consulate as previously stated.
(5) I do not know whether you attach any importance to the export of salt to Italy but if there is any reason for forbidding it they will cease the supply.
(6) I strongly urge that steps be taken to relay the cable as it means a great deal to us. From Intelligence point of view Jibuti is a most valuable source of information (which we should lose if relations were severed or strained) and it is of great importance that frequent, safe and, if possible, rapid contact should be maintained. In order to appreciate this you should obtain an assessment of the extent and value of information received from this source from CX authorities in London. If H.M. Government is unwilling to bear expenses involved, I suggest we be authorised to
subsidize a weekly loan. Consul agrees to this and points to the increased heavy cost of his telegrams.
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