Opponents Again Question British Government on Dead Sea Concession

Negotiations with Novomeiski and Tulloch Subject of Further Discussions in Commons (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The negotiations now carried on with the British Crown Agents by the Jewish engineer, Novomejski, and his associate, Tulloch, a Scotchman, concerning the grant of the concession to exploit the salts of the Dead Sea, were the subject of further questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

Captain C. T. Foxcraft asked when Pinchas Rutenberg and Novomejski became Palestinians and British subjects. Major Ormsby Gore, Undersecretary for the Colonies, stated he would inquire into this, adding that Palestinians are British protected persons, not British subjects.

Col. Bury asked whether Tulloch and Novomejski represent different groups and which group Novomejski acted for. To this Ormsby Gore explained that the negotiations are being conducted with Tulloch and Novomejski as with principals, not as representatives of other persons or groups.

The question of whether materials required in carrying out the work at the Dead Sea would be purchased of England was raised. It is impossible to give an absolute guarantee that all purchases of materials required in the development would be made only in England, the secretary declared. This matter, he said, had been raised at Geneva. Every opportunity for preference will be given the British manufacturers, he stated.

Replying to a question of Col. Josiah Wedgwood on the Palestine-Syrian agreement, the Colonial Secretary admitted that the Palestine Chambers of Commerce had not been consulted on the trade agreement.

A cablegram to the Jewish Morning Journal from London states that the Rothschild house in London is backing engineer Novomejski in the Dead Sea concession. It is stated that Baron Edmund de Rothschild of Paris may also extend financial aid to Novomejski in the development.