884.24/112½
The Consul at Asmara (Smith) to the
Secretary of State
[Extracts]
No. 88
Asmara, February 18,
1943.
[Received May 4.]
Sir: I have the honor to report to the
Department that in accordance with the authority granted me in the
Department’s telegram
[Page 86]
dated
February 6, 10 p.m., I left Asmara at 5:00 a.m. on February 9th,
motoring to Gura, and taking a U. S. Army plane to Addis Ababa, arriving
about 9:30 a.m.
That morning I called on the Foreign Minister, Mr. E. Medhen, who had
taken the post held by B. Lorenzo Taezaz, who was the Foreign Minister
when I visited Addis Ababa in September, 1942. The new minister was a
very polished gentleman, spoke English very well, and was much more
impressive than his predecessor. I said that I presumed that my last
telegram to him regarding the reopening of the American Legation at
Addis Ababa had pleased him. This was the Department’s no. 21, dated
February 3 [January 26], 5 p.m., to me, which I
sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in clear on February 5th.
(Enclosure no. 1).10 To my amazement, he had not received it and knew
nothing about it. I gave him the substance of the telegram from
memory.…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Conditions in Ethiopia
I managed to see a number of the officials I had interviewed during my
trip last September, but was disappointed in the almost complete lack of
anything new to report to the Department. Plans were progressing slowly,
the attitude between the British and the Ethiopians had not altered,
either for better or for worse, the British advisers said that the
Ethiopians were as slow as ever to put into effect their suggestions,
but had none better to suggest themselves, and, in general, the
situation as outlined in my despatch no. 37 of October 8, 1942,11 still obtains. A few
more small stores have been opened, but trade with the outer world is
still almost non-existent.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interviews with the Emperor
On this trip I first saw the Emperor at a formal reception given at the
Palace on the afternoon of February 9th, when he received General
Maxwell and his staff, Colonel Clark, Commanding Officer of the Eritrea
Service Command, and myself. That evening the Emperor gave a state
dinner for General Maxwell and his staff. At this dinner there were a
number of Ethiopian ladies, including the Empress, several Ethiopian
ministers (War, Finance, Foreign Minister, Interior) but no British. On
February 11th, General Maxwell gave a dinner to the Emperor at “The
Residence of General Maxwell” as stated on the menu. The residence was
the ex-Japanese Legation, where the General and his staff were housed by
the Emperor. At this dinner the guests were about the same as at the
Emperor’s dinner two evenings before, except that we had no Ethiopian
ladies present. On
[Page 87]
the afternoon
of the 11th the Emperor asked for an interview with General Maxwell,
Colonel Clark and myself. No one else was present except the
interpreter, Mr. Tafari Worg. On Friday, February 12th, the Emperor had
a very lavish picnic, lasting from about noon until 5:00 p.m. On all of
these occasions I had occasion to talk to the Emperor, sometimes in
English, which he speaks haltingly, or through his very excellent
interpreter, Mr. Worg.
Interview of February 11th
This interview was by far the most important event of my trip. The object
of the meeting was the Emperor’s desire to place his views before the
guest of the occasion, General Maxwell. The Emperor had prepared his
notes very carefully, read from them in Amharic and Mr. Worg, the
interpreter, translated the Emperor’s remarks to us, (General Maxwell,
Colonel Clark and myself). I took fairly full notes of the interview, as
I did not know that I would have an opportunity to have an aide-mémoire of the interview, prepared by the
interpreter. However, the aide-mémoire differed
so from the notes that I took that I am enclosing, for the Department’s
information, copies of both. The aide-mémoire is
attached as enclosure no. 2 and the notes that I, myself, took are
attached as enclosure no. 3.12 General Maxwell was
extremely careful not to permit the Emperor to expect too much from the
United States, pointing out the difficulties of shipping and
communications. I did not receive a copy of the list of the Emperor’s
wants, but I understand from General Maxwell that, compared to some
lists he has seen, it is quite reasonable! As General Maxwell planned to
leave for the United States immediately, the list will probably be in
the hands of the Lease-Lend authorities before the Department receives
this despatch.
The American Legation
The Foreign Minister and the Emperor were both delighted with the
information in the Department’s telegram no. 21 of February 3 [January 26], 5 p.m., and naturally look forward
to the reopening of the American Legation in the near future. Although
not requested to do so, I took it upon myself to see what possibilities
there were for legation quarters, as the quarters formerly used as our
legation are, in my opinion, quite out of the question. They are very
much run down, in a sad state of disrepair, and the Italians have built
up a native quarter about it, so that its location, if nothing else,
makes it quite out of the question.
As mentioned above, General Maxwell and his staff were housed by the
Emperor in the ex-Japanese Legation. I was impressed by this building,
which, I understand, is owned by the Empress. It is already completely
and tastefully furnished, has a large reception room, a
[Page 88]
large dining room, a breakfast room, seven
or eight bed rooms and two baths. It is situated about a quarter of a
mile from the Palace, has about six acres (my guess) about the house,
gardens attractively laid out, ample garage space, servants’ quarters,
etc. It would make a very attractive residence, and would be considered
quite suitable in Europe. In Addis Ababa it stands out as something
unique! The Belgian Government requested it for their Legation, but it
was refused them. (See above.) I believe that this place could be
secured for use as the American Legation, and am given to understand
that the Empress is reserving it with that possibility in mind. At
present it is used now and then by the Royal family for week-ends.
As for supplies, Mr. Howe, the British Minister, states that, except for
staple foodstuffs, everything must be imported. He had just had four
tons of supplies brought to him by road from Nairobi!
What is the United States to do for Ethiopia?
In all likelihood, the American Legation at Addis Ababa will be reopened.
One of the reasons for this action is to have a representative of the
Government at Addis Ababa with whom the Ethiopian Government can
negotiate for help under the Lend-Lease program.
But it seems to me that not only the United States, but the United
Nations might use Ethiopia as an experimental field for countries that
have been the subject of aggression and then been liberated.…
It appears to me that we should use Ethiopia as an example of what the
United Nations are to do for nations that have been overrun by the Axis
juggernaut. The amount of help required is really not great. But why not
give them help, and then publicize it to the world, pointing out that,
just as Ethiopia was materially helped, experts sent to her country to
advise and assist her, material assistance given her to start again the
industries and agriculture disorganized by the Italian occupation, so
would Poland, Belgium, France, Norway, the Netherlands and others be
helped, but, of course, on a larger scale, for they would need help on a
large scale. Should not this be the work of ex-Governor Lehman’s Foreign
Belief and Rehabilitation Operations as well as the work of Lend-Lease
authorities?
It seems to me that the United States and the United Nations are missing
a fine opportunity here to encourage the peoples now living under the
heel of the Axis powers. If we could point to Ethiopia and say, “See,
this is what we did for Ethiopia. Help us throw out the Axis powers and
much more will be done for you,” it would be a great help to raise the
morale of the peoples now under the Axis powers.
Also, why not use Ethiopia as an experimental station for the Foreign
Relief and Rehabilitation Operations? Send out a committee to study at
first hand what the country needs to put it on its feet. Send out
agronomists, timber experts, agricultural experts in general, for
Ethiopia is not sufficiently advanced to be an industrial country. So
let this organization try out different forms of organization on
[Page 89]
Ethiopia, so that, when the time
comes, it will know what the best form of organization will be for it to
use in the conquered countries of Europe when they are freed. Then time
will be most valuable, and if we have a chance to experiment on a small
scale in Ethiopia, it seems common sense to do so.
Very respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
Aide-Mémoire of Remarks by His Majesty,
Haile Selassie, on
February 11, 1943 to General Maxwell, Colonel Edwin N.
Clark and E. Talbot Smith
This aide-mémoire was given
General Maxwell.
Ethiopia, which has got a respite from being used as a battlefield,
is encountering great difficulties in her internal administration
and could be regarded as suffering much more than countries which
are taking part in the actual fighting. It is obvious that Ethiopia,
where the war is believed to have ended, will have to suffer still
further owing to the fact that she has no one at her side to assist
her in the peaceful administration of her Empire since it will take
a considerable time for the nations who are at war now to divert
their activities towards peaceful administration.
Ethiopia was suffering from the afflictions of war for more than five
years. The Fascist invader has upset the peaceful administration of
the country, and has destroyed the foundation upon which the future
administration of Ethiopia was to be built up.
His Imperial Majesty, on his return to his capital with the help and
assistance given him by the British Government, found himself faced
with a fresh start in everything.
Although His Imperial Majesty is confident that the friendly
governments who have contributed so much in the restoration of the
independence of his country are anxious to assist him in the task
which lies before him, it has not so far been possible to obtain
their aid in the problems of economy, trade, internal security,
etc., as those nations are engaged in the prosecution of the
war.
The following is a summary of the events in Ethiopia since His
Imperial Majesty’s return to his capital which are self-explanatory:
- 1.
- On the return of His Imperial Majesty to his capital the
British Military Authorities who came into the country as
his Allies regarded Ethiopia as occupied enemy territory and
they adopted the name “Occupied Enemy Territory
Administration.” His Imperial Majesty protested against this
attitude which was creating ill feeling and sometimes
friction between Ethiopians and British Military
Authorities. His Imperial Majesty did not fail to make every
possible effort with a view to removing such ill feeling,
and creating the spirit of
[Page 90]
cooperation and collaboration.
Unfortunately the mutual understanding which His Imperial
Majesty expected to exist between the Ethiopian and British
Authorities was lacking. His Imperial Majesty, who saw no
alternative but to come to an agreement with a view to
solving the problem and putting a limit to this state of
affairs, occupied himself in trying to find means and ways
whereby this problem could be solved. Thus, negotiations for
the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement were commenced.
- 2.
- What happened in Ethiopia during the period when Ethiopia
was regarded as Occupied Enemy Territory? The British
Military Authorities in Ethiopia removed, under the pretext
that they were required for the war effort, almost
everything they could conceive which the Italians had
brought into this country, and all the riches which the
Italians had stripped of the people of Ethiopia. His
Imperial Majesty who was, and still is, anxious to
contribute to the war effort to the limit of Ethiopia’s
capacity, even offered to provide troops from his army for
service in the Middle East or elsewhere. His Imperial
Majesty has been continually requesting that his offer be
accepted, but without success. His Imperial Majesty
requested the British Military Authorities to furnish him
with a list showing the quantity and description of all
arms, materials and other articles taken over from the
Italians with a view to enabling him to retain what was
essential for the maintenance of internal security, and
allowing the rest to be used in the war effort, but without
success. Ethiopia is, therefore, left without any means of
defense. The ten thousand troops who are being trained by
the British Military Mission are without proper arms and
equipment, although the British Military Authorities
promised to provide them with arms and equipment from the
stock captured from the enemy in Ethiopia.
- 3.
- Ethiopia has no means of communication whatsoever with the
outside world. The wireless station which was erected by His
Imperial Majesty prior to the Italo-Ethiopia war is
completely smashed, and the only one which remains is the
7–kilowatt high power transmitter which is lacking a number
of valves. A list of the missing parts was given to Mr.
Talbot Smith in September last. His Imperial Majesty’s
Government was informed that those missing parts were not
available in the United States of America, and endeavors
were made to obtain them from England, through the British
Minister here, but without success.
- 4.
- Owing to the difficulty in finding the necessary funds for
the repair of the existing roads in Ethiopia, which the
Italians built at enormous cost and labor, His Imperial
Majesty has not been able to authorize the repair and
maintenance of these roads. The question of roads referred
to above and the question of communication referred to in
paragraph 3 are vital to internal security. Needless to say
that
[Page 91]
without the
existence of these two important items it will be very
difficult to maintain the internal security of the vast
Ethiopian Empire. His Imperial Majesty has been unable to
get any assistance in connection with the repair of roads or
communication.
- 5.
- As the British Military Authorities have, under the
pretext of the war effort, removed from this country tens of
thousands of Italian-owned lorries, it would be impossible
to find the necessary vehicles to run on the roads even if
the roads were made serviceable. In the event of His
Imperial Majesty’s wishing to move a few troops from one
province to the other for security purposes, it has been
found impossible to move the troops on the spot in time, and
sometimes the idea had to be abandoned for want of
transport.
- 6.
- Up to this day, His Imperial Majesty has not been able to
obtain an airplane to carry mail from and to Ethiopia. If a
few planes were available, they could contribute to a
considerable extent towards the maintenance of internal
security.
- 7.
- Ethiopia has not carried on any trade with the outside
world owing to conditions of war. She imports certain
commodities, but not adequate to the needs of the
country.
- 8.
- There are a very limited number of Italian doctors
retained in Ethiopia for health services. Their number does
not exceed more than thirty which is inadequate to the needs
of the country. It is a different (sic) problem to rely on the services of these
doctors.
- 9.
- Owing to lack of funds and transport it has not been
possible for Ethiopia to develop her agriculture, external
trade, etc., and the matter is causing great anxiety to His
Imperial Majesty.
- 10.
- His Imperial Majesty has not been able to obtain any
assistance in the way of arms and equipment for his army.
Almost every arm and equipment which the Italians brought to
Ethiopia were collected by the British Military Authorities
under the pretext that they would be used for the war effort
and removed them from the country. Some of these were thrown
into the sea and some destroyed by fire.
- Shortly before they were driven out of the country, the
Italians distributed a considerable number of arms to
different people in Ethiopia. It is a well-known fact that a
rifle is a highly treasured possession to an Ethiopian. In
order to be able to collect the rifles which are in the
possession of the people it is necessary for His Imperial
Majesty’s army to be adequately armed and equipped. The
Somalis who raided certain districts in the Harar province
last year were encouraged to do so by the fact that they
possessed arms. Somalis living across the frontier can
easily enter into Ethiopia.
- 11.
- Ethiopia possesses a natural wealth which is sufficient
for her needs. But in order to utilize this natural wealth
she requires technicians and money. His Imperial Majesty has
not been able to get either of these.
[Page 92]
Ethiopia is prepared to contribute to the limit of her capacity any
material assistance for the war effort in which the people of Great
Britain and the United States of America are engaged. In order to be
able to contribute more effectively, His Imperial Majesty would be
grateful for any assistance which the Government of the United
States of America could afford him in this respect.
His Imperial Majesty is very anxious to develop the mineral wealth of
Ethiopia so that it may be utilized in this difficult time.
Addis Ababa, February 10 [11], 1943.
[Enclosure 2]
Report of Statement Made by His Imperial
Majesty, Haile Selassie, on the
Afternoon of February 11, 1943, to
General Maxwell, Colonel
Edwin N. Clark and E. Talbot
Smith
(Note: The Emperor remarked, towards the
end of his talk, that he would be glad to furnish an aide-mémoire to General Maxwell if he so
desired. General Maxwell expressed his wish to have such a
note-mémoire, but these remarks indicate a considerable divergence
from the material in the aide-mémoire).
His Majesty stated that he believed that there should be more
effective relations between the people of Ethiopia and the people of
the U. S. A. He pointed out that the struggle for freedom of both
peoples was very similar. The future relations will be strengthened
and this strengthening must take place in the near future. His
Majesty stated that he did not wish to go into detail, pointed out
that Ethiopia had passed through her trials and that he had assumed
the burden and responsibility for 50 [15?]
million Ethiopians. This was first time he had had the honor of
receiving a great general from the U. S. A. Does not wish to discuss
politics, but wishes to speak frankly. The people of U. S. A. were
very sympathetic throughout Ethiopian trials. Such relations still
exist. Ethiopia was the first victim of aggression and U. S. and
Great Britain made great efforts to liberate the country.
His Majesty stated he was glad to understand that the U. S. A. is to
open a Legation and send a diplomatic representative to whom the
Emperor can present his views. He looks forward to the day when the
Legation will be opened and will make every effort to see that
relations are most cordial. His Majesty expressed his readiness to
discuss any question regarding the reopening of the Legation.
The efforts of the U. S., said the Emperor, and of the American
people to help backward peoples will achieve its purpose and lead to
satisfactory results. His Majesty pointed out that excellent
Ethiopian-American relations are not only desired now, but existed
before the aggression. Ethiopia is not new to the U. S. After the
occupation,
[Page 93]
the American
Government and people refused to recognize the conquest, because a
country so occupied could not be recognized. The U. S. founded the
Kellogg Pact13 to
guarantee peace and non-aggression. When Mr. Sumner Welles came to
England, His Majesty was there. His message was that America would
hold out its hand to help nations subject to aggression. His Majesty
then wrote Mr. Welles a letter,14 pointing out the position of
Ethiopia. His letter, His Majesty is sure, was not ignored. America
has not changed her attitude towards liberty from Washington to
Franklin Roosevelt. She maintains the same principles and is now
sacrificing her children in this war for them. The statement made by
Theodore Roosevelt that Ethiopia is an Empire and must remain so is
not forgotten by the present President Roosevelt. Ethiopia is now an
ally of the United Nations. The Emperor and his people hope the
overthrow of Nazism and Fascism by the U. S. and Great Britain will
not be long. Ethiopia, on her part, is prepared to contribute as
much as her capacity will allow. Ethiopia is ever grateful to the U.
S. and to Great Britain and would like to do something in return.
But she must have assistance to enable her to do her part. Ethiopia
is one of the countries which has suffered from the war and lost
much of her resources and equipment.
In conclusion, His Majesty stated that he would like to see President
Roosevelt and put his views before him. Nothing would please him
more. In the meantime, he would like to send a representative to the
U. S. After diplomatic relations are opened, there will be mutual
understanding and his difficulties will be alleviated to a great
extent. Having full confidence in the Government of the U. S., His
Majesty therefore lays his difficulties before you. He would like
help in equipping his army, one way or another, possibly through
Lease-Lend. His Majesty is ready to give you a list of what he
wants. He has not been able to get what he needs for internal
security. His Majesty wants to help the war effort, but must get
help first. He is aware of the difficulties of the U. S. A. and
Great Britain and is not asking for large amounts, but wants
assistance so that he can maintain internal security. The list will
be given if the General wishes.
If the General desires, His Majesty will have an aide-mémoire prepared for him.
The Emperor also asked General Maxwell if he would request President
Roosevelt to assign a physician to serve as family physician to the
Emperor.
General Maxwell replied, stating that he felt it his duty to say a
word of caution against expecting too prompt action because of the
[Page 94]
difficulties of
communications and shipping. He said he would be glad to receive the
aide-mémoire, the list mentioned by the
Emperor, and a letter His Majesty asked him to deliver personally to
the President.
