124.841/30: Telegram
The Chargé in Belgium (Sussdorff) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22—2:30 p.m.]
56. Department’s 24, July 20, 6 p.m. Belgian Foreign Office has informed me that the Belgian Government regrets that it is not in a position to sublease its legation quarters at Addis Ababa. This property belonged to the Czarist Government of Russia and was confiscated by the Ethiopian Government after the Bolshevik revolution. The Belgian Government rents the property from the Negus and its present 3–year lease which expires on January 1, 1938, contains a clause allowing the Negus to cancel it at any time upon 3 months’ notice. This clause was introduced in view of the possibility of a recognition of the Soviet Government by Ethiopia. In view of the above facts Belgian Foreign Office states that it would be impossible both from a technical and legal standpoint to sublease the property and it would also be awkward for the Belgian Government from a political point of view because its subleasing of the property would probably be construed as an acquiescence in the Italian desire regarding the withdrawal of foreign missions from Ethiopia. The Belgian Government does not wish to appear to be the first government to take such action.