384.00/13: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p.m.]
176. On March 21, Governor of Addis Ababa communicated to me text of a notice he had published calling upon Ethiopians to maintain their reputation for hospitality and courtesy by not showing any hostility [to] “foreigners who live among us as our friends” and who are engaged in peaceful work either in the capital or interior. The enemy are only the Italians who are attacking the country. Anybody threatening, insulting, or otherwise offending a foreigner will be severely punished.
The above is evidently merely a precautionary measure as no foreigners have so far been molested.