684.003/10: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 25—9:35 a.m.]
121. Department’s 156, April 22, 2 [1] p.m. to Paris.5 The Foreign Office states informally that its view is precisely that of the State Department as expressed in the telegram under reference, but considers that on account of developments in Addis Ababa the probability that the treaty will be denounced has diminished. The Foreign Office understands that conversations there between the diplomatic representatives of the interested Governments are now going on and is inclined to believe that a way can be found to meet the wishes of the Ethiopians for freedom of action in customs matters without involving any change in the much more important question of extraterritorial jurisdiction. The number of British nationals in the country is such that the Foreign Office would certainly take steps if the treaty were denounced but is not at present disposed to say what they might be.
This message is being repeated by mail to Paris, Rome and Addis Ababa.