765.84/1668: Telegram

The Consul at Geneva ( Gilbert ) to the Secretary of State

450. There has just been made public a communication dated today from the Abyssinian representative to the Secretary General of which the following is a translation made by the Consulate:

“Under instructions from my Government I beg Your Excellency to be good enough to communicate to the members of the Council and of the Assembly the following declaration:

In spite of the unprovoked aggression of which Ethiopia has been the victim on the part of the Italian Government and of the unjust war which, without any declaration or justification whatsoever, is imposed on her, the Ethiopian Government has resolved to permit the Minister of Italy and his collaborators to continue to reside in Addis Ababa. Whatever might have been the inconveniences of this situation the Ethiopian Government wished to give the League of Nations another proof of its loyalty, its sincerely pacific sentiments and its spirit of conciliation. For this authorization, which without [Page 667] doubt has no precedent in the history of the world, one sole [condition?] was made. This was that the Minister of Italy not take advantage of the generous hospitality extended him to make use of the radio station in his possession and to create internal difficulties for the Ethiopian Government.

The Ethiopian Government deeply regrets having to conclude that the engagement undertaken has not been kept. The Italian Legation at Addis Ababa is a center of espionage and a shelter for intrigues and plots against Ethiopian public order.

Under these conditions, at a time when the legitimate defense of the Empire is rendered more difficult by the attitude of the Italian Minister, the Ethiopian Government is absolutely obliged to invite the Minister of Italy and the entire personnel of the Legation to leave Addis Ababa and Ethiopian territory immediately.

The Ethiopian Government will take all necessary measures to the end that this departure take place in the conditions of courtesy practiced by the most civilized states, that the protection of the public authorities shall be assured to the Minister of Italy and his staff on Ethiopian territory and that the security of the archives of the Legation shall not be prejudiced.”

Gilbert