765.84/4074: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12—12:20 a.m.]
208. My 201, April 8, 11 a.m.,11 and Department’s 136, April 10, 5 p.m.12 I now learn confidentially that the Ethiopian Government has received a definite intimation from Geneva that in view of the military situation it was useless to insist on the letter and the spirit of the League Covenant in negotiating with Italy. After a conversation with the Emperor by telegraph the Council of Ministers decided this morning to reply rejecting the suggestion and emphasizing determination to negotiate only through the League. I gather this decision was taken because military situation is not yet considered hopeless.