124.84/128: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy ( Phillips )

166. Your 491, November 27, 5 p.m. According to Engert’s reports Italian authorities in Ethiopia do not recognize “officially” existing chiefs of missions any more than they do recently appointed British consular officers. Under the circumstances do you not think it would be in order to follow the British precedent and advise Foreign Office of Hughes’ assignment to Addis Ababa in consular capacity and to request that Italian Embassy in Washington be authorized telegraphically to grant him visa? Or do you consider it would be preferable first to assign Hughes to Rome to the Embassy or to the Consulate General for a brief period, say 2 weeks, and have him proceed to Addis Ababa from Rome? If arrangements can be made promptly in Rome Hughes and wife can probably sail via Export Line on December 8.

Please submit your recommendations.

Moore