701.6511/854
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Dunn)
Various ministers have called here to inquire as to the circumstances of our recent exchange of new ambassadors with Italy—specifically whether, in making this exchange, we referred to the King of Italy as “Emperor of Ethiopia”.
We have replied, orally in every instance, that the exchange of new ambassadors and their letters of credence changed in no way the relations between the United States and Italy, and that no new questions arose as a result thereof. We have informed them that Mr. Phillips’ letters of credence were addressed to the “King of Italy” and that Mr. Suvich’s letters to the President were from the “King of Italy and Emperor of Ethiopia”. But this, we emphasized, constituted no change in the relations between the two countries.
We have not informed these ministers who have called of the agreement with the Italian Government whereby no question of recognizing Italian dominion over Ethiopia would arise as a consequence of the action in exchanging ambassadors. We have not made any written communication to any government in connection with this matter.
You13 may, therefore, wish to call in the Minister of Panama and inform him orally of the situation or instruct our Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Panama to convey this information orally to the Secretary of State for Foreign Relations.
- This memorandum was routed to the Division of Latin American Affairs.↩