been received to my telegram 214, October 24, our attitude is negative and negotiations with British will proceed without expectation of support hoped for. CALDWELL 741.8411/10-2444: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) WASHINGTON, November 6, 1944-7 p. m. 161. Department has been discussing the subject of your 214, October 24, with the British Embassy.22 Further word will be sent you shortly. STETTINIUS 741.8411/11-744: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, November 7, 1944—10 a. m. [Received 2:28 p. m.] 225. Upon being informed by British delegation that British Government, after consideration by Cabinet in response to telegram mentioned in my 214, October 24, insisted that without Ethiopian acceptance of British administration of reserved areas and Ogaden during life of agreement there could be no agreement and complaining of Ethiopian ingratitude, Ethiopian delegation delivered memo (copy of which I am forwarding 23) in which inter alia: Objection is made to application to Ethiopian territory of agreement between Britain, Russia and America 24 mentioned by Lord de la Warr (ReLegs 206, October 12 25) and question is asked whether this principle is to be applied to other liberated territory, reference is made to de la Warr's allegation that this British demand is required by needs of war with Japan and his statement that policy of Britain and United States precludes present consideration of questions such as above-mentioned territories and it is suggested that as America is at present conducting main Pacific operations Britain should approach and reach agreement with United States, adding that as members of United Nations Ethiopia would place Ogaden (but not 22 Conversations concerning the British claim to control the Ogaden and the reserved areas were held between the Chief of the Division of African Affairs (Villard) and Mr. John Russell, Second Secretary of the British Embassy, on October 30 and November 4, 1944. The information received by Mr. Villard in these conversations corresponded to that received from the Legation in Ethiopia. Memoranda of the conversations were received in the Legation on November 22. Despatch No. 274, November 7, from the Minister in Ethiopia, not printed. 24 For Department's comment on this alleged agreement, see telegram No. 164, November 9, 8 p. m., to the Minister in Ethiopia, infra. 23 25 Not printed. mentioning reserved areas) under British military administration until end of either agreement or Pacific War whichever is earlier if United States considers this necessary for military reasons and account will be taken of this action in post-war settlements. Spencer states reference to United States was not due to effort to involve us in dispute but was unavoidable because of de la Warr's statements. I understand unofficially that de la Warr now refuses to confer with Ethiopian delegation but yesterday in audience with Emperor said no further negotiations are possible unless Ethiopia agrees to British military administration of both reserved areas and Ogaden; he had spoken frankly and his words had been used against him; tone of memo was discourteous and would be resented by his Government and particularly by Churchill if he should see it; reference to United States was objectionable; he had telegraphed for authorization to return home and reserved all space on plane leaving 9th; and requested Emperor's reply today which was not promised. Agreement regarding Ogaden while seemingly impossible at moment may still be reached; it will be much more difficult to persuade Ethiopians to accept British demands for reserved areas which Ethiopians consider less justified than demands regarding Ogaden. CALDWELL 741.8411/11-744: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) WASHINGTON, November 9, 1944-8 p. m. 164. The British Embassy today was requested 26 to clarify the references in your telegrams 206 of October 12 27 and 225 of November 7 to the alleged existence of a British-American-Soviet agreement, or a British-American policy, to refrain from discussing territorial questions until the end of the war. It was pointed out to the Embassy that even if such an agreement existed it would be difficult to understand why it should be applied to areas embraced within the territory of Ethiopia. A request for clarification was also made in regard to Lord de la Warr's reported assertion that the Ogaden was required for prosecution of the war against Japan. Finally, the Embassy's attention was called to your conversation with Lord de la Warr regarding the probable effect on public opinion in the United States and England if the treaty negotiations should fail because of the British demand for retention of the reserved areas and the Ogaden. Despite the statement in your 214, October 24, that the Embassy was being kept currently informed as to the negotiations it is apparent that very little has reached Washington from British sources. The Embassy promised to telegraph immediately for further information and clarification regarding the British position. STETTINIUS 741.8411/11-2744: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, November 27, 1944-2 p. m. [Received November 27-1:45 p. m.] 245. ReLeg's 225, November 7. Negotiations again suspended. Emperor finally agreed, as unavoidable if any agreement is to be reached, to transfer both reserved areas and Ogaden to British military administration for life of agreement or till end of hostilities (whichever is earlier) as contribution as one of United Nations in war against Japan (wording as in draft of article 8 with despatch 274, November 7 28 except for inclusion of reserved areas), but British have objected both to exclusion of reason and period of validity, stating that although reason should be included, since that given is only part of reason, an additional important consideration being inability of this Government to maintain order, which neither Government would wish to include; and period should be either life of agreement or till peace settlement. Termination of negotiations appears imminent, as Ethiopians not now disposed to make further concessions; however, they may eventually do so. Ethiopians find it strange that objection to wording was not made earlier as draft of article 8 was attached to memorandum to British of November 4 (enclosed with despatch mentioned above). CALDWELL 741.8411/11-2944: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, November 29, 1944-10 p. m. [Received November 29-3:50 p. m.] 248. Re Legation's 245, November 27. Acceptance by Emperor this evening of British formula in which Ethiopia as contribution of ally to prosecution of war places reserved areas and Ogaden under ad 28 Despatch and enclosures not printed. ministration of British military for life of agreement ensures resumption of negotiations and makes possible successful conclusion. Copies of documents in pouch on tomorrow morning's plane.29 CALDWELL 741.8411/12-744: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, December 7, 1944-4 p. m.. [Received December 8-1:30 a. m.] 255. Re Legation's 248, November 29. Financial matters have now been reached in negotiations de la Warr informed me. He stated that: British finally received financial statement indicating balanced budget and no need of financial aid and at same time request for loan of 10 million pounds; as British consider loan not likely to be repaid request was refused with statement that loan was contrary to British policy; but development trust of 1 million pounds a year for life of agreement may be arranged; he regretted trust was not joint BritishAmerican affair, and said British are prepared to undertake it alone, but hoped there might be consultation and cooperation, or at least coordination of such British and American efforts in Ethiopia, particularly UNRRA 30 work. CALDWELL 741.8411/12-944: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, December 9, 1944-9 a. m. [Received 2:42 p. m.] 257. ReLegs 255, December 7. Unless some objection made by London, where draft resulting from negotiations has been referred, or difficulty arises regarding details of railway transfer, agreement should be signed next week. Ethiopians refused offer of development trust, even after suggestion of de la Warr that some Americans be included on control board, as they consider that amount is too small and since they surrender control of reserved areas and Ogaden for 2-year life of agreement without guarantee or compensation they should receive loan also without guarantee and without interest. Ethiopians feel that they have been compelled through fear of hostile British action in absence of any agreement to yield to superior strength and give British practically all they wanted with too little 29 Despatch No. 296, November 29, from the Minister in Ethiopia, not printed. 80 United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. benefit to Ethiopia, and negotiations have not decreased their suspicion and dislike or [of] British. Although no one has so stated, I suspect that Ethiopians feel some disappointment at response, so far as known to them, to inquiry of Emperor transmitted in my telegram 214, October 24, although I have been most careful to avoid giving any encouragement to expectation or hope of support which might not be forthcoming; Spencer has assured me he has followed same course, but he probably hoped for more support than was given, so far as is known here. CALDWELL 741.8411/12-1944: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) WASHINGTON, December 21, 1944–9 p. m. 193. Reurtels 262 December 16 and 264 December 19.31 Department is anxious to obtain brief telegraphic summary of provisions of final agreement 32 re following points: 1. Were Ethiopian rights to subsoil exploitation limited and was it agreed that enterprises in reserved areas and Ogaden should be subject to military control or other restrictions? Do you consider it likely that the British would take advantage of such restrictions effectively to hamper or prevent possible exploitation of the areas by American concerns? 2. Any exclusive features of military or commercial aviation rights. 3. What is period of validity of agreement and how may it be terminated? STETTINIUS 741.8411/12-2744: Telegram The Minister in Ethiopia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State ADDIS ABABA, December 27, 1944-11 a. m. [Received 11:47 a. m.] 268. ReDepts 193, December 21. Agreement runs until superseded by treaty; after 2 years it may be terminated by either party upon 3 months' notice. Subject to Ethiopian regulations and any future international aviation agreements, British civil planes may operate in Ethiopia; planes registered in Ethiopia have similar reciprocal right; and British companies selected by British Government may operate commercial and mail services in Ethiopia. British and other Allied Air Forces 1 Neither printed. 32 Signed at Addis Ababa on December 19, 1944, British Cmd. 7722, Treaty Series No. 38 (1949). |