Here is a letter written in 1917 By the famous explorer and British minister in Ethiopia, Wilfred Thesiger, to the Governor of Sudan General Sir R. Wingate. Basically, he is asking whether they can give Marehan Country (Jubbaland), British Somaliland and French Somaliland to the Italians in return for some conditions.
There are some incomplete parts in the letter but the important part is clear.
"Letter from Wilfred Thesiger British Legation, Addis Ababa, October 11th, 1917 to General Sir R. Wingate.
My dear General, Addis Ababa October llth, 1917 Your letter of the 25th April and mine of the 16th May last concerning the future of Abyssinia and any possible arrangements with Italy and France. In that correspondence we discussed the various combinations possible with Italy, basing our considerations on the necessity of eliminating French influence by the acquisition of Jibuti without any attempt to establish some form of stable Government in Abyssinia must be impossible. As I mentioned in my letter it is hopeless to expect any good result so long as three powers have the right of interference in Abyssinian affairs, altough cooperation between two governments might be possible.
It is very certain that after every effort will be made to clear up contentious questions between us and our present allies, and it has struck me that a fourth His Excellency General Sir Reginald Wingate Governor General of the Sudan. GCB, GCVO, KCMG, DSO, etc. etc.solution might be possible in regards to Abyssinia and Italy which like the other three mentioned in my letter of the 16th May, is based on the primary necessity of acquiring Jibuti without which the whole of the presnt discussion falls to the ground. Briefly stated the fourth proposition would include the cession of the Sudand of Eritrea in return for British Somaliland, French Somaliland and the MAREHAN country, and a protectorate over the whole of Abyssinia. Italy, in return for this, must guarantee to the Sudan all rights over the waters of Tana and the eventual reversion to the Sudan of the four provinces of Gojjam, Walege, Jimma and Kaffs, which are vital to her future prosperity and will then assume all responsibility for the future government of this country. As you mentioned in your letter of the 25th April. "This telegram (of the 27th March) made it clear that His Majesty's Government were anxious arises whether, as regards our future relations with Italy, it would not pay us to make this concession as generous as possible as long as this generosity could be made compatible with thesafeguarding of the interests of each of our Colonies as border on Abyssinia."
