124.84/145a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia ( Engert )
30. Department’s 29, February 27, 3 p.m. Department will issue to press late tomorrow afternoon the following statement:
“Mr. Cornelius Van H. Engert, American Minister Resident and Consul General at Addis Ababa, is departing from his post tomorrow on leave of absence. Upon Mr. Engert’s departure Mr. Morris Hughes, American Consul, will assume charge of American interests until the end of March, at which time the office will be closed.
“The Department’s action in this respect is in accordance with its usual practice of terminating consular activities in any district where American interests no longer require such services.”
As soon as statement has appeared in American press Hughes should notify American nationals of the decision to close the office and should warn them that there will be no American Government representative in Ethiopia after March 31.