765.84/5150: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:39 p.m.]
704. To illustrate the state of insecurity which still prevails in the capital, I desire to report that last night a band of 50 or 60 natives attacked a house only about 300 yards from this legation and 200 yards from an Italian military post. Owner escaped but his wife was killed and their money and valuables were stolen. Italian soldiers called by the owner failed to catch a single one of the bandits although they kept up brisk rifle and machine gun fire for over half an hour.
I have been hearing of similar incidents reported in other parts of the city but as the Italian authorities maintain strictest secrecy concerning such matters the above is the first one I have been able to verify.