There may be further and more extensive comment within a few days and if
such develops I shall prepare a detailed despatch for the Department.
…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[Enclosure]
The Minister in Ethiopia (Southard) to the J. G. White Engineering
Corporation2
Addis Ababa, April 26, 1928.
Sirs: This is to acknowledge the receipt
this week of your letter of March 16th, 1928, inquiring whether I
have received through the Department of State the literature on the
Tsana dam matter which you prepared for my information.
I have received the literature and have studied it with much
interest. I much appreciate your courtesy in sending the clippings
as they have been very useful in refreshing my back-ground knowledge
of the situation.
You inquire also as to the next move expected from you by the
Ethiopian Government. I have discussed this at some length with His
Imperial Highness, the Prince Regent. He expects within the near
future to have something definite to communicate in this
connection.
[Page 787]
Within the past few days His Imperial Highness has received a note on
the Tsana dam subject from the British Foreign Office. This note,
which I have read, states in effect that the British Government is
prepared to consent to the building of the dam as an Ethiopian
enterprise provided the work is given into the hands of competent
engineers and sufficient guarantees are given that the water will be
made amply available on appropriate terms to the Sudan and
Egypt.
This note also mentions British understanding that the Ethiopian
Government proposes giving the concession to the J. G. White
Engineering Corporation. To this no objection is intimated, but the
note states that the British Government must know the terms of the
concession before entering upon the negotiations incident to the
formal and final agreement which it contemplates giving.
Although His Imperial Highness did not say so I am of the opinion,
and suggested as much to him, that he will soon invite a
representative of your company either to Ethiopia or to London to
meet with Doctor Martin3
and a British representative for the purpose of speeding up the
final negotiations.
The impression I have from reading this latest note from the British
Foreign Office, and discussing it with His Imperial Highness, is
that the way is rapidly clearing for the final steps leading up to
actual construction work on the dam.
I am thoroughly at your service in this or any other matter in which
you may be interested in Ethiopia, and hope you will keep me
informed of any developments at your end. I would have cabled
through the Department of State this latest development in the Tsana
dam matter, but my code has not yet arrived.
Ras Tafari has authorized me to write you the information herein
contained, but he asks that you hold it in strictest confidence
pending its release from other sources.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I am [etc.]
