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TO THE FORMATION OF THE NEW SYNDICATE 145
South
West that we would feel serious sense of grievance if forced to decline
business due to impossible terms.' Two days later he was cabling
Separate
deal by any producers would be really detrimental to all. . . . Just
imagine detrimental effect to South West if outside producers' goods
are sold separately and competing against stock of Syndicate which is
still £ 700,000 plus new purchases. G. Imroth and I have used all our
efforts to get Syndicate send their amended offer. This was very
difficult. . . . Cannot you get some form of protection proposed which
will meet Syndicate case without causing Government misgiving. I
personally feel that irresponsible talk against Syndicate has caused
misgivings which has decided Syndicate to ask to have right to
terminate agreement should deal be adversely affected.
There
is evidence in all this of an almost passionate desire to prevent a
breakdown; it is all the more impressive in that these cables were
dispatched while Ernest Oppenheimer was still on his way to London.
Subsequent action showed the two brothers to be in agreement on all
matters.
From
time to time in his career Ernest Oppenheimer found it appropriate to
make a direct appeal to authority: as much, it may be conjectured, to
give relief to the passionate side of his character, as to achieve a
given result. A day after his arrival in London, on 15 January 1925, he
addressed a telegram to A. Brink and to the Minister for Mines urging
the Government not to sell South West African diamonds direct to
Antwerp.7
He
did not in the event succeed in preventing a sale of the South West
African 'outside' production to an Antwerp house. On 16
'
'In order to protect South African diamond industry and assure that all
control diamonds shall be from Union, Anglo American being purely South
African company have after lengthy patient negotiations:
1.
Acquired considerable interest Angola and entered into lengthy
contract to purchase diamonds with limitation output.
2. Have made contract with Congo limitation output.
3. Have induced Belgians engage Dickinson as consulting engineer for Angola and watch Congo developments.
4. Limited and purchased West African diamonds,
5. All these benefits to South African diamond industry will be lost if South West diamonds now sold to Antwerp.
6.
We have two million pounds invested in South West company and
have assurance from company that, in case break with Syndicate,
diamonds would be offered to us. In view of above facts have given
South West every assistance in all emergencies. I appeal to Government
in interests diamond trade generally uphold this engagement.
It
is not reasonable present Anglo American with ultimatum but we should
get reasonable time negotiate permanent contract if four producers
definitely break with Syndicate which if possible should be still
avoided. Sailing for South Africa 23 January. Please reply.'
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