Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

740.00119 EW/8–2545: Telegram

The Minister in Ethiopia ( Caldwell ) to the Secretary of State

Addis Ababa , August 25, 1945—1 p.m.
[Received August 27—6:45 a.m.]

213. In audience August 24 concerning an impending conference in London to discuss peace treaty with Italy, Emperor¹⁹ stated that as victim of aggression Ethiopia has claims to Eritrea and Italian Somaliland and that reservations were made at San Francisco for their “return” to Ethiopian sovereignty.²⁰ He requested information from US Govt as to manner in which Ethiopian interests will be assured in coming discussions.

Note from Foreign Office received same date asks Ethiopian participation in conference and states similar note sent USSR, UK and French Govts.²¹

Caldwell

19. Haile Selassie.
20. See Documents of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 1945, vol. X (U. N. Information Organizations, London, New York, 1945), p. 499, for statement by the Ethiopian delegation in the 11th Meeting of Commission II, General Assembly, Committee 4, Trusteeship System, May 31, 1945.
21. Note 3959/50, dated August 24, 1945, from the Ethiopian Foreign Office to Minister Caldwell, transmitted the minutes of the Emperor’s conversation with Caldwell and an Ethiopian Foreign Ministry memorandum dated August 24 regarding Ethiopian territorial demands. Telegram 219, August 30, from Addis Ababa, summarized the memorandum as follows: “Memorandum expresses confidence that United States Government appreciates Ethiopia’s desire to set forth its claims as first and principal victim of Italian aggression and to participate ‘at a conference the decisions of which must have far reaching and decisive influence on Ethiopian interests’ and presents request that Ethiopian Government have ‘opportunity of participating by a delegation at the forthcoming conference of London’.” (88.014/8–3045) The note, memorandum, and minutes were transmitted to the Department as enclosures to despatch 502, August 29, 1945, from Addis Ababa, none printed (884.014/8–2945).