775.00/8–1250: Telegram
The Ambassador in Ethiopia ( Merrell ) to the Secretary of State
priority
45. Emperor’s private secretary called and left following memorandum with me this morning:
“His Imperial Majesty has expressed his will to help the friendly government of US in its struggle in Korea on behalf of UN.
“As Ambassador is probably aware, principal difficulties which have prevented His Imperial Majesty from carrying out what he has in mind are the limited transport and total lack of port facilities of Ethiopia for the sending of troops and the continuous provisions thereafter of rations and supplies.
“Ethiopia has respected her international obligations and has been and continues to be a firm believer in collective security. The stand Ethiopia took in 1935 and 36 against Fascist invasion is proof of this. He still believes in justice of UN and collective security and does not swerve from this belief. His Imperial Majesty is guiding the international affairs of Ethiopia along these lines. The assistance so far accorded Ethiopia by US has not enabled Ethiopia to do as much as she would have liked in carrying out these sacred principles. Ethiopia will always be found at side of democratic Governments either in war or peace, and particularly at side of her friends, US and UK and she is hopeful of receiving assistance from these governments in order to carry out her desires in this respect. His Imperial Majesty, informed of the assistance given to other countries, does not wish to conceal his surprise at Ethiopia not having received comparable assistance from US to enable him to carry forward his economic development plans.
[Page 1699]“Italy, who yesterday violated her obligations to the League of Nations and the principles of collective security and made a war of aggression against Ethiopia, and who today presents herself as another Italy, has received considerable military and economic assistance from America, in order to save herself from sinking into sea of Communism. But Ethiopia, who has held constantly to the same principles in the past and present and who nevertheless was victim of aggression, has not received any such assistance in her military and economic recovery from aggression. Italy has been allowed to return to Somalia, about which Ethiopia protested before UN and is now parading her tanks and airplanes in this neighboring territory as a threat to Ethiopia. His Imperial Majesty’s Government has not been able to buy such airplanes with armament from US.
“Various propaganda reports and foreign comments have suggested that Ethiopia provides an open field for Communist infiltration. Although this problem has been left entirely to Ethiopia, and it is the duty of Ethiopia to suppress Communism, His Imperial Majesty considers that suppression of Communism depends upon successful carrying out of his program of economic development however, Ethiopia’s needs for economic assistance have been relatively ignored by US.
“The message of the President US to Congress on 19 July was gratifying to all small countries such as Ethiopia, and it is good to note that Congress has approved content of message. Ethiopia does not wish to delay her assistance to the democratic governments and wishes to be at their side in order to share their fortunes or misfortunes and His Imperial Majesty would wish to make the following inquiries:
- “(a) To what extent would US be able to assist in equipping and arming a unit of approximately 1,000 officers and men and to transport them to and supply them at the fighting front?
- “(b). To what extent is US prepared to assist in further equipping and strengthening the Ethiopian Armed Forces in order that Ethiopia may be able to increase her usefulness in the common defense of democratic institutions and her friends and allies?
- “(c) What practical steps may be taken by Ethiopia to obtain US financial assistance to enable her to develop more rapidly her economic resources for her own needs and the needs of the world in peace and in war?
“His Imperial Majesty would be grateful to the American Ambassador if he would convey this message to US Government and obtain its reply.”