765.84/4812: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert)
Washington, July 14, 1936—5
p.m.
308. Your 455, July 6, 11 p.m., 458, July 8, 10 a.m., and 459, July 8, 11 a.m.34 In view of the situation described in above telegrams the Department would like to have your considered views on the following points:
- 1.
- Do you consider that the Italian military authorities are in a position to afford the Legation adequate protection at this time and in any circumstances that are likely to arise in the future?
- 2.
- If adequate protection is doubtful would it be possible to obtain from the Italian authorities rifles, machine guns and ammunition?
- 3.
- Is the Department correct in assuming that the Legation has in its employ an adequate number of guards? If not, please furnish estimate of cost of employing requisite number.
- 4.
- Is the Department correct in understanding that although you have agreed not to send radio messages your equipment is in such shape that you could without delay transmit messages in the event a crisis should develop similar to that which occurred on May 4?
- 5.
- Are your food supplies adequate or would it be desirable to request the Navy Department to make an additional shipment?
- 6.
- In your opinion would it be desirable or otherwise for the Department to instruct the Embassy at Rome to take up at this time with Italian authorities the question of furnishing protection for the Legation?
- 7.
- Please furnish any other comments and suggestions which would assist the Department in its efforts to see that the Legation and its personnel shall be thoroughly and adequately protected.
Hull
- No. 458 not printed.↩