Office of the Historian

765.84/432: Telegram

The Chargé in Ethiopia (George) to the Secretary of State
Addis Ababa, July 4, 1935—noon.
[Received July 4—6:42 a.m.]

52. Unexpectedly summoned to Palace last evening. Emperor gave me oral résumé of events past 6 months concluding that since [Page 724] Eden visit to Rome35 Italy’s intention conquest beyond doubt. Referring to last December’s exchange with Department (see my telegram of Dec. 19, 10 a.m.36), Emperor declared he will continue to pursue Geneva procedure but feels it his duty to ask American Government “to examine means of securing Italy’s observance of engagements as signatory of the Kellogg Pact”. I had previously mentioned and now repeated circumstances of 1931 invocation.37 Emperor’s oral statement immediately confirmed in writing and being released to press.38

George
  1. June 24–26. See statement by Anthony Eden in the House of Commons, Hansard, July 1, 1935, col. 1520–1522.↩
  2. Foreign Relations, 1934, vol. ii, p. 770.↩
  3. See telegram No. 22, December 18, 1934, 5 p.m., to the Chargé in Ethiopia, ibid., p. 769.↩
  4. Text of Ethiopian note not found in Department files; for content of the note, see London Times, July 6, 1935, p. 12.↩