865D.01/179

The Colombian Chargé (Vargas) to the Secretary of State

[Translation]
No. 1188

Mr. Secretary: Acting under instructions received from my Government, I have the honor to address Your Excellency in order to call to your attention that the Italian Government yesterday notified the annexation of Ethiopia to Italy and the grant of title of Emperor to the King of the Italians, His Majesty Victor Emanuel III.

Since in the declaration signed at Washington on August 3, 193292 and in Article II of the Anti-war Pact of non-Aggression and Conciliation of Rio de Janeiro of 1933, the signatory American nations declared that they will not recognize the validity of occupation or acquisition of territories which may be attained by force of arms, my Government instructs me to invite the Secretary of State to make a joint reply, or at least a uniform one, to the Italian notification, in which the annexation that has been made known shall not be recognized and in which there shall be kept alive the American principles set forth in the agreements transcribed.

I avail myself [etc.]

Alberto Vargas Nariño