365D.1163/45: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia ( Engert )
20. Your 40, February 9, 2 p.m. Sudan Interior Mission Council at Brooklyn has advised the Department that while the Mission is an international enterprise the Brooklyn office is regarded as headquarters for Abyssinian work, and that although properties were acquired in their own names by Lambie and Rhoad because of Ethiopian prejudice against using mission name, such properties were always understood to belong to the Mission. Further information from Lambie transmitted by Brooklyn office indicates that American contributions provided largely or wholly for headquarters building, for main hospital of Leprosarium, for all buildings at Jimma, and for residences at Soddu. Other properties paid for largely by Canadian gifts. Rhoad is an American citizen but Lambie lost his citizenship upon his naturalization as an Ethiopian.
The above is for your information. The Department feels that it can add nothing to instructions in its 298 [398], December 8, 5 p.m.,13a requesting you to endeavor to obtain for American interests a fair appraisal and prompt compensation in case Italian authorities take over Mission property.