Communicated to the C.1^3.M.104.1938.VII. Council and ... · LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Communicated to the C.1^3.M.104.1938.VII. Council and Members of the League. Geneva, May 13th, 1938.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Communicated to the C .1^3.M.104.1938.VII.Council and Membersof the League. Geneva, May 13th, 1938.

QUESTION OF THE CONSEQUENCES ARISING OUT

OF THE EXISTING SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA.

Annex to the Statement made to the Council

on May 12th, 1938, b.y His Majesty Haile Selassie.

(Translation)

Geneva, May 12th, 1938,

To the Secretary-General.

Following on the statement made this morning by

His Majesty Haile Selassie I , Emperor of Ethiopia, to the

Council of the League of Nations, I have the honour to

transmit, for coinmuni cation to all the Members of the League

of Nations, translations of the documents concerned.

The original documents are held by ne at your

disposal.

I have the honour, etc.

(Signed) L. TAEZAZ,

Permanent Delegate of Ethiopia.

Enclosures : 14 documents.

- 2 -

TRANSLAT I OILANNEX I. ~™ *

TO TIE CONQUERING LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDiiH HAILE SELASSIE I.

ELECT OF THE LORD.EÏ.EPEROR OF ETHIOPIA.

Your Majesty,

May God make His Face to shine upon you!

I did not fail in the past to write to draw YourMajesty’s attention to the foreigner’s design to send troopsacross the sea to attack our country.

As the proverb says, before the head is firmly set, the size of the headdress should not be considered.

That, however, is what we did, when we built ahouse for 30,000 thalers and a church for 50,000 thalers.My proposals were to direct our attention in the first instance to our inadequate armaments, and to build roads, one from Dessieh to Addi-kayeh and another from Gojjam by Bondar and Shireh to C-undet. Once those roads were made, you could have ordered all of us, the guilty ones of my generation and the creatures of Menelik, to march on Asmara. When we were dead, you could have ordered your chiefs to take our places.

But Your Majesty desired to remain faithful to the Covenant and to retain intact your reputation as a wise monarch. You did not wish your soldiers to become the pre­text for a conflict. You wished to save our lives. Pardon your people: for a people accursed by its king is a people accursed by God. In the province which Your Majesty entrusted to me I have done my duty; and, if I die for so doing in receipt of your blessing, the gates of Heaven will open for ue, and in this world my generation will rejoice thereat.

Save Your country by means of the Leaguej

The Italian is wic'ked. He knows that the fact of having penetrated into our country is not due to his own strength. It was the special circumstances which enabled him to do so. He will endeavour to involve us in difficul­ties with a Great Power, in order to induce the latter to recognise his crime.

Work quietly, as they (the Europeans) do, and may you succeed. Here we are able to hold our own against the enemy.

15 Meskerem 19 30 (October 1937)

( Signed) I C .

- 3 -

AlttïïCX II.

Your Majesty,

I rejoice to know that Your Majesty is alive and well. I regard it as a great honour for me to have occasion to-day to write to Your Majesty for the first tine since;he sad years of the Italian war of aggression, allat the same tine be careful in making my report to Your Majesty not to make any reference to my own service to my country, rendered as in duty bound, in painful circumstances.

I am instructed to submit to Your Majesty a report on the battles which have taken place in the province of Gojjam, in some of which I have myself taken part.

I have recorded the dates of the battles, the names of the places, the number of the enemy killed and of the material captured, as shown in the following list:

Date Place of Officers Soldiers

23 K'ehassieh Sekula 1929

(Aug. 1937)

23 do. 1929 Hankurku

battles killed Ital- Nat-__________________ ian ive

400

Materialcautured

Observations

300 bUuu 5

£13 rifles,3 ma clii ne guns

5 Meskerem 1930

(Sept.1937)

7 do. 1930 (Oct.1937)

17 do.1930 (Oct. 1937)

Danguela

Adi et

ïïombera

114

228

500

300

20 aircraft brought down 1 wireless sta­tion destroyed

140 1200 3 guns,1136 rifles, 7 ma chi ne guns

57 470 One of ourchiefs, Bed jas- match Addeme, killed in battle.

f Tekemt 1930 Enjebareh(Oct.1937)

; do. 193Q Gunareh

128 1500 5 guns,

Nov. 1937)

10 do. 1930 (Nov. 1937)

Debreh-Markos

j-6 Hedar 1930 ïïombera (Nov. 1937)

1

2

17

9

58

117

107

428

1080 rifles, 13 machineguns

5 guns,717 rifles,8 machineguns

1 gun,146 rifles, 3 machineguns

28 1051 5022 16 guns34 machine-

guns 3297 rifles

The following towns have also been taken from the Italian armies : Adi et, Medhaneh-Alen, Unzeh-Guedam, Dembetcha,3ureh-Da;not, Betcheh, Motha.

- 4 -

When I left Goj jan, the only Italian troops were in Harkos, Danguela and ïïombera; and in all three places, they were completely surrounded. They were provisioned by aero­planes dropping food by parachute. The rest of the territory is in Ethiopian hands. The provinces of Gojjam and Begenedir are united.

Before this understanding {between the Ethiopian provinces), Fi taurari T., fearing the arrival of large enemy reinforcements, destoyed the bridge over the Abai. The des­truction of the bridge involved the death of some fifty soldiers who were carried away by the river, owing to the bridge collapsing prematurely.

Before this arrangement to concert resistance for the purposes of defence and fighting, I had proceeded from Gojjam to Aguow, ïïombera and Bureh preaching unity. To-day the people needs no more preaching. Its eyes are opened.I therefore took thought to do other things♦

On 18 Meskerem 1930 the Captain in command at Danguela, which was surrounded, informed his men that the world had recognised Ethiopia as Italian. Although the situ­ation of his troops was desperate, they pretended to rejoice at the news, and began to applaud. But our people knows the truth. This false news was spread abroad by the Italians : but, even if it was true, the Ethiopian people would not be discouraged.

Italy boasts that Geneva has recognised her rule over Ethiopia. But what Italian request has Geneva ever refused up till now?

If, as the Italians say, the English have given way from fear, the Ethiopians say: "No onu will ever beable to make peace be tv/e en us and the Italians7’.

It was seeing the spread of false news by the Italians that led me to t.ake the following steps. I drew up a letter of appeal to the Ethiopian people, and had it signed by each district. By this appeal, which we are send­ing to Your Majesty, we let the whole world know that the Ethiopian people does not accept, and never will accept, Italian rule and that the war continues from day to day without interruption. This decision to send you the appeal has rejoiced the people as if it had received its Emperor back in person.

Written on 5 Ykatit 1930 (February 12th, 1933).

(Signed) T.G.

- 5 -

ANNEX III.

Your Majesty,

We salute Your Majesty, and trust that you and your children and all your family are in good health.

Ethiopia, your country, will never adapt itself to a foreign ruler, and prays accordingly, in hope of your return, that long life and strength will be vouchsafed to you. We trust Your Majesty will find in our message matter which may he of use to you.

Your Majesty,

There can be no question that this heavy trial with which you have been afflicted is intended to make you greater than before. Your Majesty is aware that no great things can be done without great trials.

We have hitherto left Your Majesty to bear alone the burden of sorrows and sufferings. But to-day we are fighting energetically, and are bearing alone the burden of sorrow and anguish. Although the presence of Your Majesty is leaking, we :now that Your Majesty will never resign himself to the destruction of your people. Your Majesty’s whole life is proof of the devotion with which you have done all that was in your power for your country.In so saying, we are concerned to express our eager desire to have Your Majesty among us. We beg you at any rate to let your name be present among us.

It is true that your first disappointment was great: but have there not been other emperors before you who have also been disappointed? To-day the people and the country are yours. If you fail on one occasion, you should persevere in your efforts.

If in the past your enemy has prevailed, it is Your Majesty's turn to prevail to-day. We, your humble servants, have shut up the enemy in his fortifications. He is dying of hunger. Escorted by aircraft, he makes sallies to pickpeas and millet, and returns under the same escort.

Your Majesty,

If the plan of action in Europe still prevents you from returning to your country, we shall entrust to your protection our children of less than five years of age.

We, the peoples of G. and W., have addressed an appealto you, and we beg you to make all possible use of it in aidof your country. Let all your efforts be directed to the liberation of your country'. May God enable you to obtain a just judgment from the world'.

20 Hedar 1930 (November 29th, 1937)

There follow 62 seals, signatures and fingerprints.

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A M E X IV.

To G-reat Britain (England )

London.

APPEAL BY THE DEBJASMATCH N... AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE OF .........

To the Honourable British Government.

In order that Man, tne jewel of the earth, might not perish vainly, a Society for Peace was founded at Geneva, the centre of the world, u.Aer the auspices of the British Government which has protected it with watchful care,But tne Italian, who has-- -brokeua-the —CovLejaan-t of tne League of Hâtions, has not ceased, since he first invaded Ethiopian territory until now, from discharging poison gas and slaughtering with the axe even those that had submitted to him. And we, who hoped that the British Government would assist us, have fought under Ledjasmatch N..., whom our Emperor Haile Selassie I set over us as his representa­tive in tne .province o f ...........with sword and spearagainst the foreigner who had entered our province. Me surrounded him. Other troops came to his help. We killed their officer and seventeen Italians, and also many of Askaris. we captured three guns, thirteen machine guns and an enormous quantity of "Alpini" and "Minicher" rifles. Owing to the serious losses sustained by these troops,Italian aeroplanes bombed us continuously. May the British Government, mighty in its strength, act on our behalf as it dia in the past. We, the people of the province of ........ and our Dedjasmatch, implore the British Govern­ment to help us, and that soon. We know that the. Emperor Haile Selassie is with the Briti^n Government.

17 Tekemt 19 30

(October 25th, 1^37).

(8 seals affixed).

To the British Government.

\7e know that the Ethiopian Government, the

Emperor Haile Selassie, is in England. That is ,-<hy we

are sending this appeal against the injustice we are

undergoing, knowing that, if it reaches you, it will

also reach our Government.

17 YeJcatit lb30

(February 24th, 1^38).

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ANNEX VI.

OUR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT 07 GREAT BRITAIN,OUR FRIEND.

He, the people of G ....., desire to write to ourfriend, the powerful British Government, on tne subject of the oppression from which we are suffering at tne hands of the cruel Italians. Ethiopia has not forgotten British friendship. The English v ho nave travelled in Ethiopia can bear witness to tne friendship we feel for them.

The cruel Italians are seeking to exterminate our race. 7/e know that they desire to kill the people on any pretext in order to possess themselves of their land.17e are resisting with our spears; but our weapons are not sufficient.

The powerful British Government has taken away our Guardian. How is it that they seek to separate the snepherd from his flock, and leave the flock to the rnc-rcies of the wolf? v.'hy is it better in their eyes that the shepherd should be in safety .vhile the flock is left to be devoured by the wolf?

Great Britain freed her slaves. Will she not also free the Ethiopian people, which is hunted like a wild beast?

7e have heard the story of great men in England who are said to have refused to touch sugar made by slaves before they were freed.

And you, great men of to-day, what will you do for a nation which is at this moment being oppressed, terrorised and destroyed? Are there no longer fcreat men in this great .nation?

7ie look to you for our deliverance.

You have raised v.p monuments in your cities to commemorate tne achievements of your great men. Free Ethiopia from the Italia is, and let her be a living monu­ment of your deeds to the world.

Clad in mourning garments because of the injustice corn aitted against us by tne Italians, we submit our petition to you and entreat you to save us from the jaws of these wild beasts I

20 Hedar lb30

(November 2bth, l^S? ).

( 61 seals aj-f ixed ).

ANNEX VII.

APPEAL TO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS THROUGH THE BRITISH GOVELii!!ENT~!

Italian oppression leads us to send you this furtner appeal on behalf of Ethiopia. For the sake of your honour and your o\ n existence we beg you to hear us.

Llore than two years ago our Government requested you not to allow our enemy Italy to absorb our nation but, in accordance with the Covenant, to prevent him from doing so. Yet our appeal met 1 ith no echo, like the voice of tne fish in tne depths of the sea.

It is because our requests have remained so far unheeded that we are obligea to send you this new appeal.Even though on that occasion justice was not done to us, and in spite of tne unheard of oppression from which vre are suffering at the hands of the Italians, .e cannot live elsewhere than on earth. Tne Italians have told us that their purpose was to civilise us'; but the sufferings they inflict upon us are such as mankind has never yet endured.It is not us thev desire but our land. They hunt us down li.:e wild beasts and e have no means of defending ourselves. Save us before they blot us out from the surface of the earth!

Long months ago, it is true, we signed a declara­tion that we desired no other Government tnan the Italian Government. ' e dia so not oi our o n free will, butbecause we were cowed by canaon ana machine guns, held prisoner in barbe-, wire enclosures and threatened with bayonets ana grenades.

Powerful Governments of powerful peoples who have striven ior the liberation of slaves, hear our request ! v.e had rather remain in a tate of what has been called "slavery11 than be oppressed by the Italians. Save us !May our misfortunes ar.d our blvOd unjustly shed disturb your sleep like tne sound of a death knell. In former times your ancestors and your Governments ireed the slaves. What they did for others, do now for us! The yoke of slavery you thought too heavy to be endured and you bro.̂ e it; save us now, we beseech you, from destruction by the Italians I Succour us before the have completed the destruction of our children ; let us be restored to our lOrmer "slavery"!

Here are some figures of those of us vho were massacred by the cruelty of the Italians at Addis Ababa on IE Yekatit (February 19th, 1937). Those killed by riflebullets and by bombs a ad those shut up in houses and burned to death are to be numbered in thousands.

On 5 Lieskeram (August 12th, 1929), the Italians brought out 44,000 people from the great prisons, market places ana streets ana spreaa abroad a report that they were being deported to Rome. Later tney threw them into the Red Sea.

- 10 -

The Italians arrested some ^,000 people in the V»est of Ethiopia and shat them up in underground chambers built of cement, ana there they perished for want of air.The door of tnose chambers has never since been ooened.

Some 13,000 people were arrested in Gojjam and Gondar and imprisoned in the upper storeys of 26 houses to which the Italians then set fire. Others were hung from trees.

One Sunday in a church at Fitche the Italians too>: the bread prepared for the Holy Communion as a curiosity and those who had come to commune - some 176 people - were led out of the church and shot. Some 1,400 people of the city and neighbouring villages were also arrested and shot or Killed by hand grenades in the valley of the rivers which surround the city. For five days the birds of prey hovered over the corpses; then came a torrential fall of rain which carried the corpses away.Our rivers are poisoned by the bodies of men thus con­tinually done to death.

The figures we have given are only those of the placos '.e have mentioned.

Peoples of the world, hear us I Governments, understand us! In our country you suffer an intruder to do as ne wills and ,,e can no longer live in peace. e cannot go to other countries because they belong to other peoples. Tell us where we can live 1

Hear our appeal against the unbelievable injustice we ure suffering, and, rather than live one inglorious year, for the sake of your good name in history live one day for us li.ve lions.

Acting as he does, the cruel Italian will perhaps exterminate our race, but history is greater than life, we senu this appeal to you so that there shall remain for all eternity this testimony in the eyes of the nations and of the historians of the entire world.

To be brief:

You have saxd the yoke of slavery was too heavy and you freed the "slaves". But ;ve beseech you to save us from the cruelty of the Italians. Help us before they exterminate oar race. Give us bacK the yoke which you thought too heavy to be borne. Do that for us and our generation will be thankful and preserve your memory.

7e come before you in tne garb of mourners to lay before you our appeal against the cruelties of the Italians : may your response be favourable.

20 Hedar lb'30

(NovembBr Ebth, 1^37)

(Signed : 64 signatures, seals and fingerprints).

- 11 -

ANNEX VIII.

TO THE HONOURABLE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

Ethiopia having lived by defending her indepen­dence , we were sent by the Emperor Haile Selassie I to pro­tect the frontier; but the cruel Italians crossed the frontierand killed people with bombs and by illegal executions. Even those that came to make their submission to them were killed by ms.chine-guns, twenty and thirty at a time.

Perceiving that no death could be worse than that, we, the people of Ethiopia, rose against them es oneman. And now, having surrounded the Italians at E. in theCh., and having killed the rest at T., we are holding our country. And now the 0. being under the orders of Dedjasmatch K.and H.

Kengasmatch I.G. being the General-in-Chief, we send you our foregoing appeal in accord with the people who live about us. 'We ask you for a reply to this present, so that we may bring it to the knowledge of our Government.

17 Ther 1930

(January 2oth, 1 9 3 8).

(Signatures : 4 seels.)

- 12

ANNEX IX.

Your Majesty,

I send Your Majesty copies of two letters addressed by the people of Gojjam to the Government of the Sudan.

The purpose of the people of Gojjam in v/riting to the Government of Khartoum (Sudan) was to request it to make easy the task of our envoys; that and no more.

19 Yekatit 1930

(February 29th, 1939)•

(Signed) T.G.

- 13 -

Copy, ANNEX- X.

(The original was sent by the writers direct to theaddressee)

To the Government of the Sudan

The world can testify that Ethiopia has preserved her independence intact from the beginning until to-day. Since the year of grace 1892 Italy has sworn to destroy that independ­ence and to dominate Ethiopia.

Italy attacked Ethiopia on two or three occasions. Having been defeated, she was forced to give up her design, but sne continued to harbour resentment against Ethiopia who was only struggling to preserve her independence. For forty years Italy prepared a war of revenge,, She began by collecting troops and material along our frontiers.

The Ethiopian Government ordered us to guard our frontiers, while remaining in our own territory, and not to give any pretext for a conflict.

Suddenly aeroplanes came to bomb us and to dis­charge gas, As we had not been ordered by the Ethiopian Gov­ernment to wage war, we withdrew from the frontier, and the enemy entered our country and, for no reason whatever, began to hang our chiefs like thieves and to machine-gun them in groups. The enemy burned our churches and our priests while they were officiating. He assembled the inhabitants and ordered each one to dig his own grave. About 200 people werekilled and buried each day. In these acts of barbarism, thelike of which was never known before in the world, we saw the intention of the Italisns to exterminate the Ethiopian popu­lation » We, the balabbats and the other inhabitants have decided to fight to the death.

We had not weapons enough. We awaited the enemywith courage and determination on all sides, and we succeeded in inflicting heavy losses upon him. As evidence of the bar­barity of the Italians we need only mention that, whenever they manage to leave their positions and lay hands on an Ethiopian, whether man or woman (even if the woman is with child), they stab and kill them. We, on the other hand, when we have captured Italian officers (captains or lieutenants) have guarded them and seen to it that they wanted for nothing. We are undismayed by Italian atrocities, and do not fear their guns end their machine guns, many of which moreover we have captured.

When we were admitted into the League of Nations, we rejoiced ; for we said that no aggression could be committed against our country„ But to-day we are keeply grieved to see that the League of Nations and the neighbour nations of Ethiopia, like England and her people, can see such an injustice being committed. But we will sooner die to a man than submit to the Italians,

We beg Your Excellency to be good enough to commu­nicate our protests to the British Government.

6 Ther 1 9 3 0.

(January 1 4th, 1 9 3 8)

(There follow seals, signatures and fingerprints)

- 14 -

A M E X XI.

(The original was sent by the writers direct to the addressee. )

TO OUR DEAR FRIEND, THE GOVERNOR OF THE SUDAN.

Peace be with you.

We, the peoples of Gojjam, trust you absolutely to forward the letter we are sencing "you.

; We have no wireless with which to communicate with foreign countries. As we have learnt that Europe hears only the reports from the Italian side, which assert that Ethiopia has become Italian, we are obliged to write letters.

Me wish the whole world to know that the war isstill continuing more violently than ever and has notceased, that tne Ethiopian people have never accepted the domination of the cruel and 1 awless Italians, and that Ethiopia will never accept Italian domination in the future. It is true that tne Italians have captured Addis Ababa, and that' many reports are spread from that city by wireless, but Adais Ababa is not the whole of Ethiopia. Our beloved King has left us, but the poeple have not gone from their homes.. They are resolved to carry on a violent struggle, even against modern arms.. Our rifles are not of the latest pattern, but, our forests and -ravines, help us to resist with a few of these old smoking rifles.

The Italian army, which had rapidly scattered, has never been able to find-, a route by which to withdraw in haste. V/e. are living according to the laws of our King.

We are not carrying on the war in- the way in whichour Emperor 'did ; we are causing our soldiers to .guardcertain egresses from the positions in which the Italians are enclosed, so that the may not be able to get out. All the rest of the population is living a secure life and is not mobilised, and the entire territory is in the hands of the people themselves.-

Dear friend, we. have sent a letter of protest against the Italian atrocities, for transmission to the League of Nations through the agency of the British Govern­ment.

;Ve urge you likewise to communicate the present letter, and we beg y-ou to help us to the best of your ability and to accord every facility to our emissaries.

If, as though by a preconceived idea, the who.le people of Gojjam are sending a letter signed by them on behalf of the Ethiopian people, it is because they have not forgotten that the British nation has always been a friend to Ethiopia.

Even to-day, we still hope that that nation, which laboured to emancipate the slaves, will help us to free ourselves from Italian oppression.

(Seals and fingerprints)

- 15 -

a n n e x x i i .

Extract from a report addressed to His Majesty on the situation in Ethiopia.

1. Thus on 20 Megabit (March 27 th, 1938), St. Mary's Day, Dedjatch A.A. and Dedjatch A., and other important military leaders, encountered 5 Italian battalions between Min jar and Mojo, in the region of Ada, and destroyed them.

This victory was announced to the people by pro­clamations posted in the area, in the following terms :

"People of Ethiopia, Moslems and Christians, you are all now convinced that our common enemies are committing acts of barbarity against aged people and children, and now our strength is increasing daily and the hope of our libera­tion grows greater. Therefore, men and women, united in the same faith, it is your duty to help your fighting brothers to the utmost of your power, wherever they may be. This day's victory has been won by your help and the Divine Power."

Though conscious of their strength, our warriors .have .preferred no-t -to- destroy the railway-line,' so as to avoid any risk of antagonising France and thereby indirectly helping the enemy. On the other hand, they have destroyed all the lorries that were using the road parallel to the railway.

2. On 24 Megabit (April 2nd, 1938)., the Day of Tekle Haimanot, our fighting men reached Wochecha Mariam, and cap­tured it after a herd battle.

3. On 1 Miazia (April 9th, 1938), the Day of the Nativity, our warriors on the borders of the Chercher region reached Asbe Teferi, where an engagement took place and they captured 40 lorries with their loads complete.

4. At the end of Megabit (beginning of April), the B.T.W. fought a great battle on the "Jimma road and captured a large Quantity of material, and on 1 Miazia the army ofB .T . attacked the town of Ambo.

5. In the province of Wollo, our armies, under the command of Dedjasmatch M.A., succeeded in dislodging the Italians from their positions, and the road between Dissieh and Add is Ababa is still cut.

6 . The army of Gojjam is under the command of Has Hailu's son-in-law, who was appointed representative of Has Emeru when the latter left the province for Gore. The Italian forces, however, are encircled in fortified positions at Debre Marcos. To relieve them the Italians are sending some 40,000 men in that direction.

- 16 -

7. In the Garamuleta and Anya regions, and in the Hauya area, the Gallas have risen against the Italians. The same thing has taken place in the provinces of Sidamo,Wollega, and Kaffa.

8 . The whole of the province of Begemeder except,the town of - Oonctar has been 1 cleared of Italians.

In the province of Tigrai, Ded jasmatch Gebre Hiot has not given the Italians a single day’s respite.

The people continue to pay their taxes .to our authorities in the customary way.

From all the events that are taking place in Ethiopia we can see that a real unity has been established between the people, and the' army - both Christians and Moslems in the single resolve to drive the cruel Italians from their territory.

Those' tribes which had hitherto remained more or less indifferent - the Is sa., the Aussa, and the Ogaden - have risen, following the example of the other peoples of Ethiopia.

7 Miazia 1930

(April 15th, 1938)

(signature)

- 17 -

ANNEX XIII.

Extract from a letter addressed to His Majestythe Emperor.

The following is the text of the leaflets which the new Governor, Amedeo di Savoie, Duke of Aosta, has caused to be disseminated throughout Ethiopia in face of the hostility of the entire country:

"Hear I These aeroplanes which you see flying in the sky, and which are capable of hurling death and desolation, and these armies which you see marching upon the earth, have come to strengthen the work of pacification and peace. If, therefore, you hasten to deliver up your arms to our military chiefs. you will be pardoned, but if you do not do so I shall cause terror to rain down from the sky upon you, your goods, a _d your kindred, who will neces­sarily include women, children and old men, and I shall destroy you all."

14 Yekatit 1930

(February 21st, 1938)

(signature)

- 18 -

ANNEX XIY .

To Grazmatch W.

In the past . e thought that you had friendship for the Italian Government and bore no malice against it.We do not know why you, our old friend, remain aloof from those who, although they did not knov/ us, have submitted to us and are no,; privileged.

The region of ........ was previously pillagedby the oeople of Go J j am when they returned from th_e front as deserters, but since they did this at the orders of their (the Ethiopian) Government, the Italian Government pardons them. If it proves that the captured men of GojJam owe reparation, our Government will pay in their stead. That the people, whose protection is entrusted to us by God, may suffer no damage or loss, whether from aeroplanes or otherwise, we ur^e you to advise them and cause them to submit to us within three days of the receipt of this letter ; otherwise, let us know what is the answer.

24 Genbot IV28 A.G.

(May 1S56)

(Seal of the Italian autnorities and signature :

(Seal of the Italian authorities and signature : FUCCIO).