Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1920, Volume II

Treaty Series, No. 647

Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Ethiopia, Signed at Addis Ababa, June 27, 1914⁴

His Royal Highness, Prince Lidj Yassou, successor of Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia and the United States of America, having agreed to regulate the commercial relations between the two countries and develop them, and render them more and more advantageous to the two contracting Powers:

His Royal Highness, Prince Lidj Yassou in the name of the Empire and John Q. Wood, in the name of the United States of America, have agreed and stipulated that which follows:

Article I

The citizens of the two Powers, like the citizens of other countries, shall be able freely to travel and to tranact business throughout the extent of the territories of the two contracting Powers.

Article II

In order to facilitate commercial relations, the two Governments shall assure, throughout the extent of their respective territories, the security of those engaged in business therein, and of their property.

Article III

The two contracting Governments shall reciprocally grant to all citizens of the United States of America and to the citizens of Ethiopia, all the advantages which they shall accord to the most favored Power in respect to customs duties, imposts and jurisdiction.

Article IV

Throughout the extent of the Ethiopian Empire, the citizens of the United States of America shall have the use of the telegraphs, posts and all others means of transportation upon the same terms as the citizens of Ethiopia or of the most favored foreign Power.

Article V

In order to perpetuate and strengthen the friendly relations which exist between Ethiopia and the United States of America, the two Governments agree to receive reciprocally, representatives acceptable to the two Governments; Diplomatic representatives appointed by either Government who are not acceptable to the Government to which they are accredited shall be replaced.

Article VI

This treaty shall continue in force for a period of four years after the date of its ratification by the Government of the United States. If neither of the contracting parties, one year before the expiration of that period, notifies officially its determination to terminate the treaty, it shall remain in force for a further period of ten years; and so on thereafter unless notice is given officially by one of the contracting Powers, one year before the expiration of said period, of its intention to terminate said treaty.

Article VII

The present treaty shall take effect if ratified by the Government of the United States, and if this ratification shall be notified to His Royal Highness Prince Lidj Yassou, successor of Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia within the period of six months.

His Royal Highness Prince Lidj Yassou in the name of his Empire; and John Q. Wood in virtue of his full powers, in the name of the United States of America, have signed the present treaty, written in double text, Amharic and English and in identical terms.

Done at Addis-Abeba, this twenty seventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, in the year of our Lord.

John Q. Wood

[Seal of Prince

Lidj Yassou

]

4. In English and Amharic; Amharic text not printed. Ratification advised by the Senate, Sept. 15, 1914; ratified by the President, Sept. 19, 1914; Prince Lidj Yassou notified of ratification, Dec. 20, 1914; proclaimed, Aug. 9, 1920.