884.515/34d: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
Washington, October
23, 1943—9 p.m.
1589. For Gunter from Treasury. Repeat to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- “1. The United States is prepared to lend-lease 5,430,000 ounces of silver for purposes of coinage to Ethiopia as requested on behalf of his government by Mr. Deressa, Vice Minister of Finance.
- 2. Further negotiations pertaining to the lend-leasing of the silver, including notification of the Ethiopian Government of the above, will be carried on through the Legation at Addis Ababa.
- 3. The United States is prepared to mint the coin here. It is understood that the costs of minting and of shipping the coin to Addis Ababa will be paid for by the Government of Ethiopia, although, if necessary, the cost of shipping may be extended to Ethiopia as additional lend-lease aid.
- 4. The Treasury will send to the Legation: (a) a suggestion of the type of statement that Ethiopia should furnish indicating the necessity for lend-leasing silver; (b) a formal contract requiring the Government of Ethiopia to return the silver to the Treasury on an ounce for ounce basis within a period of 5 years after the end of the existing national emergency in the United States, as declared by the President of the United States, provided, however, that if conditions of the world supply of silver make it advisable such period may be extended by agreement of both governments for an additional 2 years. Both of these documents should be signed by an appropriate representative of the Ethiopian Government as determined by the State Department.
- 5. The com will be shipped to the Legation in Addis Ababa for delivery to the Ethiopian Government. Upon delivery a receipt for the silver must be signed by an appropriate Ethiopian official as determined by the State Department. The form of the receipt will be sent to the Legation by Treasury. The data called for in the receipt, namely, number of coins, type of coins, denomination, and total silver consumed in minting (troy weight), will be cabled to the Legation at the time of shipment.
- 6. Pursuant to its treaty obligations, it is assumed by the United States Government that Ethiopia will notify the British Government of its intent to sign an agreement for the return of silver lend-leased for coinage. This should be made clear to the Ethiopian Government.”
Stettinius