765.84/3197: Telegram
The Chargé in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 20—2:25 p.m.]
241. I think the Department will be interested to learn that during the early part of this month the last of the Italian missionaries, referred to in the Legation’s 112, October 5, 2 p.m., left the country. The British and French Ministers who have informally been looking after them tell me that not one single instance of ill-treatment has come to their attention. On the contrary all reported that they had been treated with courtesy and even kindliness by the authorities and people.
[Page 718]Considering that they were scattered all over the interior and spent many weeks traveling to the Sudan or Kenya or this capital while war with their country was in progress and troops were being mobilized everywhere, the fact that they were able to leave in safety and unmolested has made a very favorable impression among foreigners here. While the Emperor and local authorities deserve much credit they would have been powerless to prevent incidents if the natives were as barbaric as the Italian Government represents them to be. It remains to be seen whether the strain of drawn out hostilities and indiscriminate bombing of civilian populations will make the natives less tractable.