6 FEBRUARY 1926, Page 2

The Tangier correspondent of the Times said in last Saturday's

paper that some correspondence of Captain Gordon Canning, who has been acting as Abd-el-Krim's peace agent, had been disclosed. The letters show that half of Captain Canning's expenses were being paid by ‘a. German, Herr Hacklander, who has large mining interests in the Riff, and is said to be forming an international syndicate for working the Riff mines. Captain Canning told the Times correspondent that he had learned facts. about Herr Hacklander which had caused him to return all money borrowed from him. He explained further that his letters had been misinterpreted. But those who be- lieved that Captain Canning's intervention was entirely disinterested have nevertheless received a' shock. Peace missions and commercial schemes do not mingle well. The mixture may be perfectly innocent, bUt it is highly desirable for a peace missionary who has other interests voluntarily to explain in advance what they are. He should not leave to chance the revelation of facts which are bound to have a damaging interpretation put upon them.

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