365D.1163/8: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia ( Engert )
398. Your 670, December 6, 8 p.m. Please avoid taking any position that will raise question as to the status or recognition of Italian Government in Ethiopia. Your effort should be confined to having American interests given ample opportunity to present evidence of value of property requisitioned and prevent any unreasonable delay in payment of amount of compensation determined. You will know whether appeal will be allowed from Commission finding should it be unsatisfactory.
Information is now being sought from the Sudan Interior Mission, and since its headquarters are in Canada, there is possibility that American interests are not predominant. Will inform you as to this.
Do you consider that any useful purpose would be served by our endeavoring to obtain postponement of requisition proceedings through the Embassy at Rome?