884.6363 African Exploration and Development Corp./19: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Ethiopia (Engert)
[Extract]

52. The following statement was issued to the press tonight:

[Here follows the statement quoted in telegram printed supra.]

There follows the statement issued by Mr. Walden in which he reviews the history of the negotiations and concludes with the following paragraphs:

“This matter was handled in the regular course of business as a private transaction with Ethiopia, but without consultation with any other Government.

In view of the misleading nature of the news comment in Saturday morning papers, I felt it necessary to give all the facts to our State Department before issuing any public statement. Today I have done this, and after conference with the Secretary of State have decided to advise the Ethiopian Government of our intention to abandon the concession.”

You should seek an immediate audience with the Emperor and apprize him of the foregoing. At the same time you should advise him that the African Exploration and Development Company has informed the Department that the Company will transmit to Addis Ababa as soon as possible formal written notice of its intention to abandon the concession.

Hull