765.84/4573: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert)
269. The Chargé d’Affaires at Rome on June 4, 1936, reported5 a strictly confidential conversation with one of his colleagues who had had a discussion with Suvich. According to this source the Italians have not regarded the question of the recognition of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia as of immediate importance and the impression was gained that the Italian Government had no intention at the time being to confront other Powers with necessity of making a declaration on this point. Apparently Italy was willing to permit the situation to continue for 6 months or more on the present basis, in the thought that de facto recognition might be established at the end of that time and that this might be followed in about a year by de jure recognition. The most obvious manner in which the question of recognition of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia might be raised would be through the request by a foreign government for an exequatur for a consular officer in Ethiopia and possibly by the use of the title of Emperor in addressing letters of credence or other diplomatic documents to the King of Italy. Accordingly the question of whether the point would be raised might depend on some step taken by a foreign government rather than because of a demand by the Italian authorities which would have the effect of confronting other Powers with the necessity of a decision on the question of recognition.
- Telegram No. 193, June 4, 5 p.m.; not printed.↩