OUR OPINION

the Political state and Economic Power

Shell-Royal Dutch and Standard Oil, formerly competitors, have recently concluded an agreement which would ensure the two oil trusts control of all markets where questions concerning naphtha and its by-products are dealt with.

Addressing a problem for which a solution has been sought in vain since the armistice, MM. Deterding and Bedford will first make a joint offer to the Soviet government.

These are the Baku wells.

MM. Nobel brothers, who controlled 35 to 40% of their production before the Revolution, first linked up with Standard Oil. But it is the American trust and the English trust united which would offer the Union of Soviet Republics 25 million pounds sterling in exchange for the right of exploitation and export.

The Soviet government has already received offers of this kind many times. During the Genoa conference, beneath the great noise of the political discussions, one could constantly hear the echo of the talks which took place between the Russian delegation and the representatives of different capitalist groups seeking to secure a privilege in the rich oil-rich region of South of Russia.

But ultimately all these groups would look small next to the two global trusts, whose union will increase their power tenfold.

Standard and Shell, associated, will have the means to say: “No” one day to those who persist for too long in refusing to say: “Yes” to them.

However, the Soviet state will certainly put up a tough defense.

In current circumstances, the silence of other major states is truly singular. At a time when everyone recognizes that naphtha is, with coal, the most precious raw material for life, for the conservation of any great nation, the different governments silently, respectfully, but from afar, attend the talks during which two economic powers, escaping all control, placing themselves above all political representation, openly extend their arms to a wealth that they will always remain in control of measuring or refusing to us, as the case may be.

- Have no fear, someone murmurs, the government of the Republic has taken its security from one of the two dominating powers.
We would like to know which one.
Above all, we would like to know whether, in the circumstances, the political State and the economic Power treat each other on an equal footing.

F.C.