765.84/4138: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m.]
221. Situation is at present approximately as follows:
The Emperor has decided to remain in the field with a small bodyguard and will change his headquarters from time to time as the military situation may require. His present location is kept secret.
The Empress and high officials of the Government including Minister of Foreign Affairs are preparing to leave Addis Ababa within a day or two. At first it was intended they should go to Harrar but it is now more likely that they will proceed to Egypt.
Minister of Foreign Affairs is said to have received or is about to receive full powers from the Emperor to represent the Government in any negotiation that may take place with the Italian Government both as regards armistice and peace.
It is generally expected that Italian troops will occupy the capital in the course of the next week unless purely technical considerations of transport or supplies should delay them. Diplomatic Corps is making every effort to arrange for adequate police during the interval between the departure of the Government and the arrival of the Italian forces.
Diplomatic Corps has as yet taken no decision as regards procedure to be followed in dealing with the authorities of the Italian army of occupation but we shall discuss the subject at a meeting on Monday. It occurs to me that the Department may wish to advise me briefly regarding the technique adopted and approved by the Department with respect to the relations between our Legation in Brussels and the German military authorities before we entered the European war.