Office of the Historian

765.84/4243: Telegram

The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State

Addis Ababa, May 2, 1936—11 a.m.
[Received 3:55 p.m.]

263. Situation in the city evidently rapidly getting out of hand. Police protection has broken down and most shops have been looted. Much firing on all sides and although no specifically anti-foreign demonstrations circulation in streets extremely hazardous. The authorities seem to have distributed large quantities of rifles and ammunition with the idea that Addis Ababa would be defended but when the Government disappeared these arms became a menace in the hands of irresponsible persons.

Engert