684.003/11: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy ( Garrett ) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

68. Department’s 156, April 22, 2 [1] p.m., to Paris.5 The Foreign Office agrees generally with your view, and the Italian Minister in Ethiopia, I understand, has been instructed to collaborate with the American Minister Resident at Addis Ababa. However, the Italian Government objects to changes regarding customs matters which are brought about unilaterally by the Ethiopian Government’s action and wishes to oppose the putting into effect of such a decree which, I am told by the head of the African Section of the Italian Foreign Office, has been promulgated already by the Ethiopian Government. The hope of American collaboration regarding this point is expressed by the Foreign Office here. I am assured by the Minister for Foreign [Page 220] Affairs that Italy will go along in whatever action the other powers may agree upon.

Sent by mail to other missions interested.

Garrett
  1. See footnote 1, p. 217.