765.84/1094: Telegram
The Chargé in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10—11:50 a.m.]
92. Informal oral inquiry has just reached me from the Palace whether, in order to prevent a catastrophe, the United States Government would be willing to mediate between Italy and Ethiopia, provided of course, Italy accepts such mediation. It is felt here that the United States, being the only absolutely impartial great power, its moral influence would be enormous and that having just given proof of its disinterestedness by canceling oil concession,67 which must have been pleasing to Italy, the present moment may be the last opportunity to avoid long and sanguinary conflict with incalculable repercussions throughout the world.
Bearing in mind Department’s 22, December 18, 5 p.m.68 and 23, December 21, 7 p.m.,69 I merely promised to transmit the inquiry.
- For correspondence concerning the Rickett concession, see pp. 778 ff.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1934, vol. ii, p. 769.↩
- Ibid., p. 774.↩