384.11/193: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert)
350. The following is a paraphrase of a confidential telegram of September 9, 1936, from the Embassy at London:43
It is stated by the Foreign Office that after the most careful consideration and interchange of views with Captain Erskine, the British Consul at Gore, the British High Commissioner in Egypt and the authorities in the Sudan, a decision has been reached to evacuate Captain Erskine to Gambela where for the time being he will set up his Consulate, the British having a Sudanese guard stationed at that place and having effective control of this region. The British reached this decision in spite of the disadvantages of withdrawing the British Consul from Gore since he has a certain amount of influence with the local native leaders and is the only reliable source of information. However, they believe that if Captain Erskine remains at Gore any longer he may be cut off from any chance later of escaping to Gambela and his life would be seriously endangered. It is realized by the British that any possibility of reliable communication with the foreigners, including Americans, in the Cambato district will no longer exist when the Consulate at Gore is closed. Prior to reaching the decision to withdraw Captain Erskine the British had carefully examined the possibility of his immediate evacuation by air in a moment of crisis, but on the basis of what they believe to be expert information, they have been compelled to the conclusion that it would be entirely impracticable to evacuate him by air from Gore. The British therefore are not willing to let Captain Erskine remain at Gore in danger of his life merely for the purpose of obtaining precarious information when conditions of chaos outside of Gore make it impossible for him to render to the foreigners in that area any effective assistance.
It was further indicated by the Foreign Office that their information is to the effect that conditions are appalling generally in Western Ethiopia, there being no effective control of any description or semblance of government. The British for months have been urging that their remaining nationals depart. Little doubt exists that the personal security of the scattered foreign missionaries, merchants and [Page 283] others is in great jeopardy and, except for a realistic understanding of the dangers to which they are exposed and which it appears they will have to meet as best they can, there is nothing they can depend upon.
Today the following instruction is being sent to the Embassy:44
“Upon the assumption that Captain Erskine would be willing to afford such protection as is available to him to those American nationals who can be persuaded to leave southwestern Ethiopia, please ask the Foreign Office if it will be good enough to request him to explain the dangers of the situation to American nationals in Gore and in other places with which he is in communication, and urge upon them the pressing necessity of leaving immediately. Department’s mail instruction No. 1408,45 which should reach London September 11 on S. S. Bremen, included list of American missionaries in Ethiopian provinces.”
You should use any means open to you to get word to American nationals in the unoccupied regions of the danger of the situation and urge all those who you consider would not incur greater danger by leaving their present stations to depart immediately for Gambela or some other place of safety.