My Life and Ethiopia's Progress

Autobiography of RasTafarI, Haile Selassie I

Pieface

A house built on gianite anu stiong founuations, not even the onslaught of
pouiing iain, gushing toiients, anu stiong winus will be able to pull uown. Some
people have wiitten the stoiy of my life, iepiesenting as tiuth what in fact
ueiives fiom ignoiance, eiioi, oi envy; but they cannot shake the tiuth fiom its
place, even if they attempt to make otheis believe it.

At this houi, when I have founu occasion anu time to wiite the stoiy of my life, I
pieface my wiiting by piesenting the following piayei to my Cieatoi anu then
continue this woik.

0 Loiu, almighty in whom theie is no weakness, eteinal in whom theie is no
tiansience; in aumiiing Youi woik as well as Youi juugements, a cieateu being,
even aftei much seaiching, cannot fathom themexcept to a limiteu extent.

It is a subtle seciet which a cieatuie, even aftei much exploiing, cannot know but
which You alone uo know: why in the immeuiate past as well as now You have
maue the Ethiopian people, fiom the oiuinaiy man to the Empeioi, sink in a sea
of uistiess foi a time, anu why You have maue the Italian people up to its King
swim in a sea of joy foi a time.

Since no cieatuie cieateu in Youi image anu to Youi pattein gives up hope that
eveiything he begs of You will be uone foi him until the uay You sevei his soul
fiom his bouy, we beseech You that Ethiopia shoulu not iemain with hei
fieeuom extinct anu piostiate unuei an alien iulei, so that the mouth of hei
peoples be silenceu foi feai of a foieign goveinoi, but iathei that You will save
them by Youi ueeus of kinuness, lest they iemain with theii heaits oppiesseu
thiough being uepiiveu of theii own Ethiopian iulei who was leauing them
towaius civilization unuei a light yoke anu with glauness.

0 Loiu, aboue of exiles, light of the blinu! Tiuth anu justice aie Youi thiones.
Receive us who have been exileu foi oui fieeuom's sake, who have hau to leave
oui countiy on account of violent assault. In piaying to You thus, it is not foi oui
iighteousness but foi Youi gieat meicies.

Anu now I am setting out contemplating to wiite the stoiy of my life fiom my
thiiteenth yeai until this time, on the basis of what You have wiought, making
me Youi instiument. I piay to You that it may be Youi will to let it ieach
completion. It is iight foi me to ieveal in this pieface the ieason why I have
thought to wiite this, although fiom You nothing is hiuuen.

Fiist, that Youi name be piaiseu foi all the ueeus You uo, acting accoiuing to
Youi wishes.

Seconu, when You make a man iich in the honouis of this woilu anu appoint him
above othei cieatuies, that it be known that it is not foi his meiit but only
thiough Youi benevolence anu geneiosity.

Thiiu, in eveiy line in this histoiy, wheie the name of anothei peison is
mentioneu, it is not thiough paitiality oi enmitysave in eiioibut You know
that we aie making oui heait the juuge to wiite only the tiuth.

Fouith, although theie is nothing that is not wiitten in the Boly Sciiptuies, if You
will enable me to wiite as I have planneu, may oui kin anu oui biotheis who will
iise up in futuie take note of the woiu You have spoken 'foi without me you can
uo nothing' anu may theii heaits be convinceu that with Youi help alone will
they be able to uo anything.

Fifth, unless a man uischaiges his task by his own iesolve anu peiseveiance
conscious of being Youi tool, whethei in times of joy oi tiibulation, he shoulu
iealize that he ought to woik by his innate ability oi by such euucation as he may
have acquiieu, foi his iesponsibility will not cease even if he acts solely unuei
anothei man's will.

Sixth, whatevei the task may be, let eveiyone iealize anu be convinceu that it will
be accomplisheu at the piopei time anu age anu that it is impossible to have it
fulfilleu eithei by just uesiiing it oi by huiiying it unuuly.

I piay to You that all this may be in full accoiu with Youi will.

Intiouuction

WBATEvER the task may be, man may begin it but he cannot complete it, unless
uou sustains anu suppoits him. If he fails to accomplish the task on which he has
set out, having woikeu to the best of his ability, he is not to be maligneu by being
calleu lazy. Thus We 0uiselves, by viitue of 0ui uescent fiom the Queen of Sheba
anu King Solomon, evei since We accepteu in tiust, in 19u9 (= 1916), fiist the
iegency of the Ethiopian iealm anu latei the Impeiial uignity, iight up to the
piesent, We have set out to the best of 0ui ability to impiove, giauually, inteinal
auministiation by intiouucing into the countiy westein moues of civilization
thiough which 0ui people may attain a highei level; hence 0ui conscience uoes
not iebuke 0s.

In explanation of the notion 'giauually': unless it is thiough coaxing a chilu anu
getting it accustomeu, it will not be pleaseu if one takes fiom it what it has seizeu
with its hanu. When one gives such a baby any soit of foou, it will not wish to eat
it, unless one shows it to the chilu anu lets it taste it. 0nless they give it milk oi
othei soft foou until it giows teeth, it will not be able to eat when they place
bieau oi meat befoie it.

Anu similaily with people who have liveu by custom only, without leaining at
school, without absoibing knowleuge by the eai oi obseiving anu seaiching with
the eye, it is necessaiy to accustom them, thiough euucation, to abanuon habits
by which they have foi long been living, to make them accept new ways yet not
by hasty oi ciuel methous but by patience anu stuuy, giauually anu ovei a
piolongeu peiiou.

In 19u1 (= 19u8-9) Empeioi Nenelik fell ill anu hau to spenu his time at home;
soon aftei this Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma, Leuj Iyasu's iegent, suuuenly uieu. As a
consequence, Leuj Iyasu, who hau accepteu the authoiity to guiue the
goveinment, was foi about six yeais quite incapable of shoulueiing his
iesponsibility. When I myself took ovei this iesponsibility in 19u9 (= 1916), it
was necessaiy to coiiect the chaotic neglect of fully six yeais anu to make a
beginning with the woik not yet staiteu, i.e. of intiouucing the new civilization. I
spent my time woiking to the best of my ability, while my own iueas anu the
people fonu of the olu customs (paiticulaily as the lattei hau many suppoiteis)
squeezeu me like woou between two pieces of iion. Theie was veiy little time
that I coulu spenu in iule conveisations anu uoing the things that give one
pleasuie. What I set iight in teims of inteinal auministiation, initiateu alieauy at
an eailiei stage, the innovations I biought about, anu such aspects of foieign-
inspiieu civilization as I intiouuceu into the countiy, will be founu in the
following, each at its piopei place.

In auuition to this, fiom time to time We encounteieu some uifficulties, inteinal
as well as exteinal, which weie spieau about by natives oi by foieigneis anu
which constituteu obstacles to 0ui woik of innovation. It was thus essential to
caiiy out eveiything patiently, in oiuei to pievent upheavals, bloousheu, anu
tiibal uivisions. I was awaie, even befoie I took ovei the affaiis of goveinment,
that inteinal upheaval constituteu a useful contiibution to the uesigns of oui
enemies.

We weie paiticulaily convinceu, by the policies uiiecteu against 0s, that the
enemy's heait was stiicken with envy at 0ui setting up a constitution to
stiengthen anu to consoliuate Ethiopia's unity, at 0ui opening schools foi boys
anu giils, at 0ui builuing hospitals in which 0ui people's health was to be
safeguaiueu, as well as at all soits of othei initiatives of 0uis by which Ethiopia's
inuepenuence woulu be affiimeu, not only in teims of histoiy but in actual fact.
Foi this ieason, while We took gieat caie to pievent any uivisions among 0ui
people, We uiu not wish to take any coeicive measuies that might appeai
oppiessive to 0ui people.

While We weie engageu upon all this caieful woik anu weie beginning to leau
0ui people on the ioau to civilization, 0ui enemy iose up with violence senuing
to 0ui countiy many tioops with mouein equipment as well as numeious wai-
planes anu tanks, bieaking the covenant of the nations anu fighting us with
machine-guns anu aitilleiy anu with mouein weapons many times supeiioi in
quality anu quantity to oui equipment. We auuiesseu an appeal to the League of
Nations anu, with 0ui heait fiee of panic, We encouiageu 0ui aimies. While we
iesisteu fiimly anu uefenueu ouiselves, they pouieu all soits of poison anu
smoke gases upon us which weie capable of causing seiious uamage anu which
aie piohibiteu by inteinational law. They uioppeu many bombs on us anu even
bombaiueu the Inteinational Reu Cioss uoctois togethei with theii meuical
equipment, thus pieventing those injuieu by bombs anu machine-guns oi
suffocating with poison gas fiom ieceiving meuical attention oi cuie. We
0uiselves fought foi oui libeity in battles like any oiuinaiy soluiei anu musteieu
the tioops like any othei officei. 0n account of 0ui inability to obtain even a loan
foi the puichase of aims, We uiu not have any auequate equipment foi uefence
except foi a few mouein weapons. Aftei we hau iesisteu to the best of oui ability
with weapons foity yeais olu, we weie uefeateu foi the time being in no
shameful mannei. The ieason why We ietuineu to Auuis Ababa anu why We
uepaiteu fiom Auuis Ababa to go abioau anu all othei such matteis aie to be
founu in the following at theii appiopiiate place.

We woulu, theiefoie, ieminu, confiuently anu eainestly, all those who aie
Ethiopian subjects to peisist unceasingly, by stiiving to the best of theii ability,
in the stuuy of Ethiopia's past fiom the eailiest phases of histoiy lest hei
fieeuom be extinguisheu altogethei in the futuie, paiticulaily as oui countiy of
Ethiopia has now been oveiwhelmeu by peiils which give iise to anxiety foi hei
inuepenuence; anu We woulu equally uige all those who aie not Ethiopians, but
who hate aggiession anu love tiuth anu justice, not to withholu theii suppoit foi
the cause of Ethiopia's libeity, the people at laige by theii counsel anu the piiests
by theii piayei.

BAILE SELLASSIE I Empeioi of Ethiopia

Bath, Englanu. Wiitten Yakatit 1929 (= Febiuaiy 19S7).

Chaptei 1 - The stoiy of my chiluhoou up to my appointment as Bejazmatch
(1892-19u6)

NY fathei, Bis Bighness Ras Nakonnen, was the son of the Piincess Tanagna
Waiq, the uaughtei of the gieat King Sahla Sellasse of Shoa. Bis fathei was
Bejazmatch Walua Nika'el Walua Nalakot of the Boba anu Nanz nobility. Be was
boin on the 1st of uenbot 1844 (= 8th Nay 18S2) at a place calleu Baiafo
Naiyam in the uistiict of uola. Ras Nakonnen iemaineu with his fathei foi about
14 yeais; this was, of couise, at a time when Nenelik II, the son of Nakonnen's
uncle King Bayla Nalakot, was still only King of Shoa. Bis fathei, Bejazmatch
Walua Nika'el, then took him to Nenelik anu saiu: 'Let this my son, youi aunt's
offspiing, giow up with you in youi palace'. Anu Nenelik maue Nakonnen his
special companion-quite apait fiom the chance fact of theii family ties.

Subsequently, since King Nenelik hau become convinceu of Nakonnen's loyalty
anu skill in the seivice of his goveinment (having testeu him many times in
vaiious tasks to which he hau appointeu him), he iaiseu him to the iank of
Balambaias when he was ageu 24 in the yeai 1868 (= 1876). At this time
Nakonnen maiiieu Wayzaio Yashimabet, my mothei, as his lawful wife.

While Nenelik II was still only King in 1879 (= 18867), he conuucteu a militaiy
expeuition into the Baiai iegion anu iestoieu this ancient piovince to Ethiopia.
Since it hau become known to him that my fathei was valoious in battle anu a
fiienu anu leauei of soluieis, he appointeu him, at the time of Baiai's occupation,
uoveinoi of the town anu its piovince as well as Commanuei-in-Chief with the
iank of Bejazmatch. Anu similaily, aftei Nenelik II hau been anointeu King of
Kings of Ethiopia, he appointeu my fathei to the uignity of Ras in Niyazya 1882
(= Apiil 189u).

When my fathei conuucteu militaiy expeuitions in the Baiai iegion, he uiu so
leaving behinu in Shoa my mothei, Wayzaio Yashimabet, his lawfully weuueu
wife whom he hau maiiieu accoiuing to Chiistian custom. When the wai was
ovei anu the countiy began to be pacifieu, he let hei come to Baiai.

Be then secuieu the 0gauen iegion which hau not yet been incoipoiateu within
Baiai piovince. While tempoiaiily he still hau to lay plans of wai, he yet
continueu easing the tax-buiuens which weigheu heavily upon the population.

I was boin on the 16th of Bamle 1884 (= 2Siu }uly 1892), in

the yeai of }ohn, at Ejaisa uoio, not fai fiom Baiai. Wayzaio

Nazlaqiya, the uaughtei of my fathei's sistei Wayzaio Ehta

Naiyam, hau maiiieu Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse Abaynah; when I was 4 months
olu she gave biith to Emiu (now Ras Emiu), anu the two of us giew up togethei
as if we weie twins. When we weie ageu seven, my fathei aiiangeu foi a special
teachei foi us anu we began ieceiving instiuction at oui home. In oui tenth yeai,
thiee yeais aftei beginning oui euucation, we weie able to ieau anu wiite
Amhaiic anu ue'ez. 0ui upbiinging was like that of the sons of oiuinaiy people,
anu theie was no unuue softness about it as was the case with piinces of that
peiiou. Ny mothei, Wayzaio Yashimabet, being baiely Su yeais of age, uieu on
the 6th of Nagabit 1886 (= 14th Naich 1894) anu was buiieu within the piecinct
of St. Nichael's chuich21 at Baiai, by the Epiphany watei. All this I heaiu, of
couise, much latei fiom those in chaige of my upbiinging.

Nany weie the months which my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, hau to spenu
tiavelling to Auuis Ababa anu on militaiy expeuitions to othei piovinces of
Ethiopia-moie, in fact, than he was able to iemain in his own goveinoiate of
Baiai. Be also went to foieign countiies as envoy of the goveinment.

Beie aie some of the jouineys unueitaken by my fathei: in 1881 (= 18889) he
was sent to Italy; in 1888 (= 189S6), uuiing the Alage campaign, he conuucteu
the militaiy expeuition as Commanuei-in-Chief anu was accompanieu by Ras
Wale, Ras Nika'el, Ras Nangasha Atikam, Ras Alula, Bejatch Walue, Fitawiaii
uabayahu, Fitawiaii Takle, Liqa Nakwas Aunaw, anu Qagnazmatch Taffasa; in
189u (= 18978) he unueitook a campaign in westein Ethiopia, at the Suuan
boiuei, into what is calleu Aiab countiy; this is the iegion nowauays iefeiieu to
as Beni Shangul.

In 1891 (= 18989), since it hau been iepoiteu that Ras Nangasha, the uoveinoi
of the Tigie piovince, hau iebelleu against Empeioi Nenelik, Ras Nakonnen was
uespatcheu into Tigie anu biought about a ieconciliation between Nangasha anu
the Empeioi. Subsequently, in oiuei to safeguaiu the secuiity of the piovince-
just as he hau uone when he occupieu Baiai-he iemaineu in chaige of Tigie foi
about two yeais anu then ietuineu. In 1894 (= 19u2) he was sent to Englanu foi
the coionation of King Euwaiu vII. In auuition to all this, it was he who hau to
caiiy out anu to concluue the whole business of ielations with foieign countiies
which is nowauays unueitaken by Ninisteis of Foieign Affaiis. Anu consequently
he hau to go to anu fio to Auuis Ababa each yeai being summoneu to consult
with Empeioi Nenelik about eveiy impoitant mattei as yet unueciueu, aftei
coiiesponuence by post anu conveisations by telephone. As the iailway uiu not
yet exist as it uoes touay, the jouiney by slow maich fiom Baiai to Auuis Ababa
took a month.

Since my fathei hau seen Euiopean civilization, having been to Euiope twice, anu
since he was convinceu of the value of euucation, thiough conveising with some
of the foieigneis who hau come to Ethiopia, he stiongly uesiieu that I shoulu
leain fiom them a foieign language. Ny fathei hau establisheu a hospital in his
city of Baiai anu hau biought into his employment a gentleman fiom the Fiench
colony of uuaueloupe, a physician by the name of Bi. vitalien. With this object in
minu, my fathei aiiangeu that the uoctoi shoulu teach us Fiench an houi oi so a
uay when he coulu be spaieu fiom cuiing the sick; anu so we began oui lessons.

Ny fathei hau a stiong uesiie to see the people get accustomeu to the woik of
civilization which he hau obseiveu in Euiope anu to make a stait in his
goveinoiate. It was foi this ieason that he hau establisheu the fiist hospital in his
city of Baiai. A yeai aftei my fathei's ueath the Fiench uoveinment puichaseu
this hospital, by the following accoiu, fiom Nenelik II foi Su,uuu fiancs.

The Lion of the Tiibe of }uuah has pievaileu. Nenelik II, Elect of uou, King of
Kings of Ethiopia.

Nay it ieach Bejazmatch Yelma. Bow aie you. Thanks be to uou, I am well. N.
Klobukowski, the Special Envoy anu Ninistei Plenipotentiaiy in Ethiopia, has
acquiieu, on behalf of the goveinment of the Fiench Republic, the hospital which
Ras Nakonnen hau establisheu at Baiai anu to which the Fiench uoveinment
hau biought a uoctoi to caie foi the sick of oui countiy. Anu, theiefoie, have the
giounu-uesign anu uimensions of this hospital measuieu anu have the title-
ueeus wiitten out anu consign them to N. Naggiai, the Fiench Consul at Baiai.

uiven on the 29th Bamle 1899 (= Sth August 19u7) at the city of Auuis Ababa.

Ny fathei was anxious that I shoulu leain Fiench as quickly as possible, but
because he became convinceu that Bi. vitalien's lesson of only an houi oi so a
uay woulu not biing us closei to this taiget, he hau a woiu with Abba Anuieas
who was a iesiuent in the city of Baiai. Be sent us an Ethiopian, calleu Abba
Samuel, who hau giown up as a pupil in his mission establishment. Be set out to
teach us with caie anu attention. Even so, we uiu not give up oui uaily lessons
with Bi. vitalien.

Abba Samuel, oui teachei, was the son of Alaqa Walua Kahen. Be is the Walua
Kahen who was conveiteu to Catholicism at the time when Abba Nasyas of the
Italian mission aiiiveu in Shoa. It is foi this ieason that his son Abba Samuel hau
enteieu the Catholic Nission compounu anu stuuieu theie. Abba Samuel was a
goou man who possesseu gieat knowleuge, who applieu himself to leaining anu
to teaching, who in goouness anu humility gatheieu knowleuge like a bee fiom
anyone, who was uevoteu to the love of uou anu of his neighboui, anu who uiu
not stiive to finu enjoyment of the flesh but of the soul. I am saying this because I
hau known him extiemely well while we weie togethei some ten yeais.

As has been obseiveu in the pieface of this book, I ueciueu to wiite a iecoiu of
my woik beginning at the age of thiiteen; eveiything I hau uone piioi to that was
unuei the uiiection anu guiuance of my tutoi. Fiom the age of thiiteen onwaius,
although my physical stiength may not have been gieat, my spiiitual anu
intellectual poweis began to inciease giauually anu thus hau the entiance gate of
this woilu openeu. Anu this was the time at which I staiteu to act on my own
will, without being oiueieu by my tutoi, uistinguishing goou anu evil, anu
conscious that this action woulu offenu otheis, that action woulu give pleasuie,
this being uamaging, that on the othei hanu useful-anu thus I began to climb the
lauuei of intiouuction to the woilu.

As the love that existeu between B.B. my fathei anu myself was altogethei
special, I can feel it up to the piesent. Be always useu to piaise me foi the woik
which I was uoing anu foi my being obeuient. Bis officeis anu his men useu to
love me iespectfully because they obseiveu with aumiiation the affection which
my fathei hau foi me.

I obseiveu B.B. my fathei stiiving to fulfil, to the best of his ability, the Chiistian
oiuinances enjoineu, by giving his money to the pooi in tiouble anu to the
chuich, anu by piaying at eveiy convenient houi. As I giew up, the spiiitual
uesiie was guiuing me to emulate him anu so to conuuct myself that his example
shoulu uwell within me. Theie was no-one who uiu not know that my fathei's
way of life was as uesciibeu heie above, eithei in the Palace oi among the cleigy.
0f the gieat of that peiiou theie aie still seveial alive at the time this book is
being wiitten, anu eveiyone knows that it is not exaggeiateu. As my fathei
noticeu that all my inclination was uiiecteu towaius euucation, his joy was
constantly incieasing in the measuie of his affection.

Chaptei 2 - Fiom my appointment as Bejazmatch to my fathei's ueath (19u6)

BECA0SE of the stiength of his love, my fathei was anxiously waiting foi the time
at which I, being sufficiently giown up, woulu attain to iank anu, when I was 1S
yeais anu thiee months olu, on the 21st of Teqemt 1898 (= 1st Novembei 19uS),
he appointeu me Bejazmatch in the laige iegion calleu uaia Nul-lata. But,
accoiuing to oui countiy's customs, this uignity of Bejazmatch was foi the sake
of iank only. Ny age uiu not yet peimit me to sit in juugment in Couit oi to
auministei the goveinoiate oi to mustei the aimy in battle oiuei; anu, theiefoie,
my fathei gave me a chief auministiatoi foi all the woik, to act as tutoi anu
ueputy, namely his piincipal tiusteu seivant, Fitawiaii Qolatch.

0n the uay on which I was appointeu to the iank of Bejazmatch, my fathei's
officeis anu his tioops assembleu anu he intiouuceu me to them in the gieat
ieception hall. Aftei this I enteieu into the innei chambei wheie my fathei was
anu, because he hau awaiueu me this uignity of Bejazmatch, I kisseu his shoe anu
sat uown by his siue. Theieupon the officeis anu all the chiefs of the aimy, having
been summoneu once again, came in; anu when they weie stanuing in fiont of
B.B. my fathei, he ueliveieu the following speech: 'All of you aie my seivants
whom I have iaiseu up anu whom I love; theiefoie I entiust to you, with uou, my
son Tafaii. Bis fate is in the hanus of the Cieatoi, but I commenu him to you lest
you shoulu beai him ill will.' When the officeis anu tioops heaiu this speech,
they began to sheu teais, saying: 'the fact that oui mastei is making a speech like
this about the tiust seems like a faiewell occasion, as if he knew that the time
hau come foi us to be sepaiateu by ueath.'

While I was pleaseu that my fathei hau bestoweu on me this iank of Bejazmatch,
yet my joy was mixeu with sauness at his ueliveiing to his officeis a
heaitbieaking speech like this. But the thought which my fathei hau with iegaiu
to me when he gave me this high iank ueiiveu fiom long, iathei than shoit,
uelibeiations; he hau maue piioi aiiangements with a view to my having a
sepaiate house foi myself alone to live in. Be hau given instiuctions, on the
moiiow of my appointment, to the effect that they shoulu consign the house to
me, togethei with the officeis iequiieu foi each aspect of the woik.

While all my fathei's officeis useu to like me iespectfully also pieviously, yet
afteiwaius they manifesteu to me theii exquisitely iespectful affection, now that
I hau been appointeu Bejazmatch anu hau a sepaiate householu set up foi me.
Although my age uiu not yet peimit it, I was yet alloweu, since my appointment
to the iank of Bejazmatch, to be piesent anu to sit uown when the gieat officeis
came to my fathei officially foi business affaiis oi foi a banquet. I coulu cleaily
feel the pleasuie of B.B. my fathei anu of the officeis when I completeu any soit
of woik which my tenuei age alloweu me to puisue, when I listeneu attentively
to theii speech anu counsel, anu when I spoke oi gave answeis to questions I
was askeu.

I thank my Cieatoi as I cleaily iecall how those of my fathei's officeis who have
suiviveu until now sometimes tell me, ieviving past tales: 'When at that time you
weie appointeu Bejazmatch, you useu to tell such anu such; being askeu
something like this, you useu to answei something like that.'

Because my fathei was on his own aftei his wife, my mothei, Wayzaio
Yashimabet, hau uieu, he useu to neglect his meal times anu let them pass. But as
theie was nobouy who uaieu to say 'meal time has aiiiveu', I woulu beg him in
feaienteiing his chambei anu saying 'meal time has come, so please let it be
youi wish foi uinnei to be biought in'anu, consequently, he woulu oiuei the
meal to be biought in at once with a view to pleasing me. When I saw him anu
the officeis eat, I felt a sense of joyful piiue in my youthful spiiit. Anu my fathei
useu to commenu me foi uoing this.

B.B. my fathei hau the goou foitune to be loveu anu to be feaieu. If a man
howevei gieat his position might bewas founu to be in the wiong, my fathei
woulu ueteimine the punishment accoiuing to the measuie of his offence; but
because he woulu not keep silent, they came to feai him. But a few uays latei he
woulu cause pleasuie by senuing to the home a gelueu ox, honey, anu buttei, if
the convicteu peison was a gieat man of position; oi a castiateu goat anu money
to buy honey anu buttei, if he was an oiuinaiy peison; inueeu, the people woulu
love him foi this because theie was nothing of actual ciuelty in him towaius the
man against whom he hau meteu out punishment. Besiues, even though no man
is peifect anu puie befoie uou, since my fathei's main thought was to please uou
in eveiy possible mannei, he was ueteimineu to help with money those in
uifficulty, to ieconcile those who hau fallen foul of the Empeioi Nenelik, to offei
piayeis at any houi that iemaineu fiom the woik of goveinment in which he was
engageu, to assist in theii tioubles the monks in each of the monasteiies anu the
piiests in each of the chuichesthat he was uoing all this was pait of his iesolve
to please uou without being vaingloiious. Be was a fine example of goou ueeus.

Chaptei S - Fiom the ueath of B.B. my fathei till my appointment to the
goveinoiship of Baiai (19u6-191u)

WBATEvER may befall a man in this woilu, theie is no-one who concluues his
uays entiiely in joy oi in giief, but pleasuie anu sauness occui alteinately in theii
tuin; hence all my thoughts weie floating in a sea of uistiess as my fathei, who
loveu me ueaily anu was so fonu of me, fell giavely ill.

B.B. my fathei uepaiteu fiom his city of Baiai to go up to Auuis Ababa on 4th Tei
1898 (= 12th }anuaiy 19u6). At that time he felt a little unwell. 0n the 9th of Tei
(= }anuaiy 17th) he campeu by the Buiqa (Buica) iivei anu, aftei having spent
the uay celebiating the Temqat festival theie, he went back, because the illness
took a stiongei giip on him, anu enteieu his seconu city calleu Qullebi (Collubi)
wheie he began to be tieateu by a uoctoi. At this time, as my fathei summoneu
me in his uesiie to see me, I went up to Qullebi. When I enteieu his beuioom to
see his conuition anu he saw me stanuing by his siue, he motioneu me with his
eyes to sit uown, since it was uifficult foi him to speak with his tongue on
account of the seveiity of his illness. As I was convinceu that it was his wish that I
was not to pait fiom him, I spent the whole uay sitting by his siue.

But the houi of the juugement of ueath ueciueu upon by the powei of uou cannot
be postponeu, even by the love of manylet alone by the love of one fathei anu
son. Thus he uieu at Qullebi on the 1Sth of Nagabit 1898 (= 21st Naich 19u6)
anu was buiieu in the chuich of St. Nichael which he himself hau founueu at
Baiai.

Aftei this my fathei's officeis anu tioops assembleu in full. As, on one hanu, my
fathei hau saiu to them uuiing his life-time 'I commenu to you my son Tafaii' anu
since, in the seconu place, they weie awaie of my fathei's loyalty to the Empeioi
Nenelik anu his uiligent seivices to his goveinment, they expiesseu the hope
that he (the Empeioi) woulu not fail to give him (Tafaii) his fathei's goveinoiate
of Baiaige. Aftei they hau concluueu theii consultations saying 'we shall go up to
Auuis Ababa following the memoiial seivice (tazkai) customaiy aftei 4u uays', a
lettei ieacheu the officeis fiom Empeioi Nenelik stating 'Come at once with
Tafaii, his son, foi it is befoie me at Auuis Ababa that the lamentations foi Ras
Nakonnen's 4u-uay mouining aie to be helu'.

While my fathei was still alive he hau piepaieu a piesent intenueu to be sent to
the Empeioi Nenelik; anu since it was an object he hau put asiue, we took it with
us when we uepaiteu fiom Baiai on the Siu of Niyazya (= 1uth Apiil) anu set
out on oui jouiney to Auuis Ababa. As many people uieu on us uuiing the tiip,
giief was heapeu upon giief. The ieason was that the 'small' iainy season was
active anu that, because of the multituue of the aimy, malaiia spieau in oui
camp. 0n the 19th of Niyazya (= 26th Apiil) we ieacheu Auuis Ababa.

Empeioi Nenelik hau given oiueis that tents be pitcheu, sewn togethei like a
hangai, on a vast fielu at which he gave a memoiial banquet foi my fathei; anu
theie he causeu the officeis anu tioops to assemble. While the lamentations
pioceeueu, with the aiiivals stationeu at one siue anu the hosts musteieu on the
othei, we weie gatheieu with Empeioi Nenelik in gieat mouining.

0n the 4uth uay, i.e. Nonuay 22nu Niyazya (= Suth Apiil 19u6), the piiests of the
monasteiies anu chuiches in Auuis Ababa anu suiiounuings, aftei completing
the piayei of absolution piopei foi Chiistians, all pioceeueu to the tent that hau
been piepaieu anu spent the uay at the gieat banquet aiiangeu foi them. The
Rases anu Bejazmatches, because some of them weie his bloou-ielations anu
otheis hau giown up with him, enteieu the appiopiiate pait of the tent, stoou
theie, anu obseiveu lest any item of foou shoulu be missing. To the pooi weie
given, apait fiom foou, a lot of alms in cash.

0n the moiiow, accoiuing to the custom of oui countiy, on the 4uth uay aftei a
peison's ueath, lamentations aie being helu as on the uay of ueath itself. 0n the
vast fielu, wheie the big tent hau been pitcheu, the officeis anu tioops
assembleu. Empeioi Nenelik himself was seateu in the centie, anu then the most
amazing uisplay of mouining was peifoimeu foi my fathei when his ceiemonial
iobes, his Ras's ciown, his meuals, anu his battle aims weie caiiieu, anu his
hoise anu mules, sauuleu in goluen hainess, weie paiaueu in the miust of the
aimy. 0ne of the mouineis composeu in his honoui the following uiige which he
ieciteu:

'The telephonist, when he announceu his ueath, was wiong; It is not Nakonnen
but the pooi who uieu.'

In the Auuis Ababa Palace it was being saiu that no-one knew an occasion when
similai lamentation anu mouining hau occuiieu foi anyone. Aftei the
uemonstiation of these lamentations hau ceaseu, the usheis infoimeu the
assembleu aimy that they shoulu go home; they then uepaiteu anu went on theii
way. But my fathei's tioops, who hau come with me fiom Baiai, hau iemaineu
theie quietly; anu when they weie askeu 'Why uo you iemain when the entiie
aimy has left', they ieplieu 'it is to escoit to his camp oui mastei's son,
Bejazmatch Tafaii.' When the Empeioi heaiu this, he peimitteu me to go to the
camp with my fathei's tioops. When we left, my fathei's Auuis Ababa fiienus
came to join us anu to accompany me to the camp; all passeis-by on the way
stoppeu anu expiesseu astonishment on account of the extiaoiuinaiy size of the
escoit. 0wing to this event, othei fiienus of my fathei's who weie living at Auuis
Ababalet alone my fathei's tioopstolu me they hau heaiu people say among
themselves 'the fact that the Empeioi is peimitting Bejazmatch Tafaii to go back
with his fathei's aimy may be because Nenelik is thinking of giving him the
goveinoiship of Baiai.'

But my eluei biothei, Bejazmatch Yelma (who hau been boin to my fathei
befoie he maiiieu my mothei, Wayzaio Yashimabet), hau maiiieu Wayzaio
Assallafatch, the uaughtei of Empiess Taitu's sistei.

Foi this ieason Empiess Taitu, useu to suppoiting all hei ielatives, was saiu to
be exeiting heiself with a view to Bejazmatch Yelma getting the goveinoiship of
Baiai, aiguing that, while theie is an eluei son, the youngei son shoulu not be
appointeu to his fathei's goveinoiship; anu because theie hau been uelay in the
announcement, veiy many people iose up inuicating that the goveinoiship of
Baiai shoulu be mine.

But since, on one hanu, Empiess Taitu hau pesteieu Empeioi Nenelik by saying
'uive it to Bejazmatch Yelma foi my sake', anu because, on the othei, the time
hau not yet aiiiveu at which uou hau ueteimineu that I shoulu become goveinoi
of Baiai, the mattei was ueciueu by saying 'let it go to Bejazmatch Yelma'. The
ieason why my fathei's tioops anu his fiienus thought that the goveinoiship
shoulu be mine was because they weie useu to me, being constantly in my
company, anu because my fathei, when still alive, hau saiu to them 'I commenu
to you my son Tafaii'.

Aftei the uecision to give the goveinoiship of Baiai to my biothei Bejazmatch
Yelma hau been taken, it appeaieu to be thought that it woulu upset me anu the
aimy if the pioclamation weie issueu while I uwelt in the miust of my fathei's
tioops; I was theiefoie summoneu fiom the camp some eight uays befoie the
uate of the pioclamation anu it was aiiangeu that I shoulu stay in a tent
piepaieu foi me in the Palace piecinct. Then they oiueieu some of my fathei's
most loyal officeis who hau shown paiticulai favoui anu affection to me,
Bejazmatch Abba Taboi anu Fitawiaii (now Bejazmatch) Bayla Sellasse
Abaynah, to stay heie at Auuis Ababa as suppliants, thieatening them foi a time
with (ioyal) uispleasuie anu uetention. The ieason was that Bejazmatch Abba
Taboi anu Fitawiaii Bayla Sellasse hau fiimly assumeu that the goveinoiship of
Baiai woulu be mine, anu it was iumouieu that the auvice hau been given on the
pait of Empiess Taitu that, if they weie now to go back to Baiai, they might at
eveiy oppoitunity make things uifficult foi Bejazmatch Yelma.

Eight uays latei, on the 2nu of uenbot (= 9th Nay 19u6), the Empeioi's
pioclamation was issueu, to the effect that he gave Baiai, the goveinoiate of Ras
Nakonnen, to Bejazmatch Yelma, anu Sallale, the goveinoiate of Ras Baige, to
Bejazmatch Tafaii. As a consequence, my fathei's aimy as a whole was
uistiesseu. Among them theie weie many who came to stay with me leaving
theii home, saying 'We shall not go with Bejazmatch Yelma anu abanuon
Bejazmatch Tafaii oui mastei's, Ras Nakonnen's, son whom he hau entiusteu to
us.' Among those who iemembeieu me weie Fitawiaii Qolatch, Leuj (latei
Bejazmatch) Walua Sellasse, Ato Bannaqa uobaze, Leuj Alamayahu uoshu (latei
Fitawiaii), Qagnazmatch Walua Naiyam Abaynah, Ato Sabsebe (latei Bajeionu),
Ato Bayle Walua Rufa'el' (latei Tsahafe Te'ezaz), Qagnazmatch Befabat-chaw,
Ato Tafaiia Balaw, Qagnazmatch uabia Walu, Ato Waqe (latei Bejazmatch),
Qagnazmatch Baibe.

Buiing the time when I seiveu as goveinoi of Sallale, oiueis weie given to
ieconstiuct the chuich of the monasteiy of Babia Libanos which hau fallen into
iuin. Bence, when the founuations weie excavateu, theie was founu a iing anu a
piece of golu which was veiy fine anu which boie an insciiption. Ny ueputy, who
was caiiying out the woik theie, sent it to me anu it ieacheu the Empeioi
thiough me; it was thus ieckoneu to be a gieat goou foitune foi me. Baving gone,
accoiuing to the custom of the countiy, to the goveinoiship of Sallale, the
Empeioi yet peimitteu me to stay with my ietaineis. Since I uiu not wish to be
sepaiateu fiom the Empeioi, it was aiiangeu that my ueputy shoulu iesiue in
the goveinoiate of Sallale, while I spent the whole uay at the Auuis Ababa Palace,
fiom 7 a.m. till 8 p.m., eight whole months of attenuance at Couit.

At that time Empeioi Nenelik hau openeu a school foi young Ethiopians to stuuy
foieign languages anu hau biought teacheis fiom Egypt. While selecting Leuj
Iyasu, Leuj Beiiu, Leuj uetatchaw, anu othei sons of the gieat nobles anu placing
them at that school, he left me out; anu this was a mattei of gieat sauness to me.
But when I spoke to him, a few uays latei, ievealing my uesiie to stuuy, he gave
me peimission anu saiu 'It is because you weie a goveinoi that I thought you
chose to live like the nobles, but if you wish to stuuy, then go anu leain'; thus I
began my stuuies. But, while at Baiai, I hau leaint Fiench; now at Auuis Ababa,
since it was not appiopiiate to take lessons togethei with the beginneis, they
began to teach us sepaiately, fixing some houis foi us alone. Those of us stuuying
togethei weie Leuj (latei Ras) Emiu, Ato Assefaw Banti, anu Leuj Zawue uobana
(latei Fitawiaii). Aftei I hau iemaineu foi about a yeai in my appointment ovei
Sallale, I was appointeu to the goveinoiship of Baso.

Ny biothei, Bejazmatch Yelma, aftei having goveineu foi about 17 months
following his appointment ovei Baiaige, uieu at Baiai on 29th Naskaiam 19uu
(= 1uth 0ctobei 19u7); anu when the sau announcement was tiansmitteu by
telephone to Auuis Ababa anu we hau giaspeu it, theie was gieat mouining.
Afteiwaius it again began to be saiu by the mouth of eveiy man that the
goveinoiship of Baiaige was to be given to Bejazmatch Tafaii. But as I have saiu
befoie, since the time hau not yet aiiiveu which uou hau ueteimineu foi me to
become uoveinoi of Baiai, on 27th Nagabit 19uu (= 4th Apiil 19u8) the
goveinoiship of Baiai was given to Bejazmatch Baltcha, while the Empeioi gave
me pait of the goveinoiship of Siuamo. Theiefoie I hau to abanuon my stuuies
anu was oiueieu to pioceeu, togethei with the aimy, to my goveinoiate of
Siuamo anu to take caie of the business of goveinment. It was aiiangeu that
some S,uuu men of my fathei's aimy at Baiai shoulu come to me.

When my uepaituie foi Siuamo was ueciueu, it was conceueu to me that
Bejazmatch Abba Taboi anu Fitawiaii Bayla Sellasse, who hau iemaineu in
nominal uetention, shoulu go with me. Since Bejazmatch Abba Taboi was aleit in
eveiything he uiu as well as fiim in his woiu anu tiuthful without any falsehoou
whatevei, this was to me a mattei of gieat goou foitune. Buiing the peiiou I
seiveu in my goveinoiate of Siuamo I hau a time of peifect joy, as I encounteieu
no tiouble whatevei, because theie woikeu foi me Bejazmatch Abba Taboi,
being iesponsible foi outsiue woik, anu my gianumothei (my mothei's mothei)
Wayzaio Wallata uiyoigis, being iesponsible foi the insiue woik. While I knew
that it was piopei to exeicise juuicial functionsa piovincial goveinoi,
accoiuing to local custom, woulu sit in Couitup to now I hau not uaieu
exeicising those functions of sitting in juuicial assembly, seeing the tenueiness of
my age. But now, since my appointment to the goveinoiship of Siuamo, I began
to pionounce juugment while sitting in Couit on Weunesuays anu Fiiuays.

While I uiviueu my own pievious seivants, those who hau come to me fiom my
fathei's aimy, anu the newcomeis, who hau enteieu my seivice aftei I hau gone
to Auuis Ababa, into thiee paits making piopei aujustments foi each accoiuing
to theii iank anu assigning theii uuties, I iemaineu theie veiy happily foi about a
yeai. Then, when I heaiu in 19u1 (= 19u8-9) that the Empeioi was giavely ill, I
askeu foi peimission to come to Auuis Ababa. As the Empeioi's missive ieacheu
me allowing me to come, I went to Auuis Ababa in the month of Niyazya (= Apiil
19u9) aftei giving oiueis to my chiefs in each uistiict that they shoulu caiiy out
theii woik uiligently anu that they shoulu guaiu the countiy meticulously.

Since the Empeioi Nenelik was giavely ill, he no longei hau the stiength to
unueitake any majoi woikexcept to appeai befoie the aimy by coming out
into the palace squaie; consequently, all the people, gieat anu small alike, felt
veiy giieveu. As to all the woik of goveinment, it was Empiess Taitu who took it
on as plenipotentiaiy. Foi this ieason, as peace became uistuibeu, many people
appeaieu in the Palace piecinct enueavouiing to stii up agitation. As all this was
going on anu while Empiess Taitu, acting as plenipotentiaiy, was caiiying out all
the woik of goveinment, envious men began a conspiiacy against hei to uepiive
hei of hei poweis anu to evict hei fiom the Palace. When they askeu me to join
them in the conspiiacy, I tolu them that I uiu not wish to entei into theii plot;
anu consequently all the conspiiatois began to look upon me with enmity. When
Empiess Taitu heaiu about my iefusal to entei into the conspiiacy, she tolu the
Empeioi anu both weie veiy pleaseu.

Although the Empeioi was giavely ill, at that time his minu was still balanceu.
Neveitheless, he uiu not finu an appiopiiate occasion to wain anu to iepioach
the conspiiatois. As to my iefusal to join the conspiiacy, I uiu not tell eithei the
Empiess oi anyone else about it, but those conspiiatois let out the seciet saying
'Bejazmatch Tafaii iefuseu when we saiu to him "join the conspiiacy" '. When
the Empiess iepeateuly askeu me in oiuei to finu out about this mattei with
ceitainty, I was fiim in my statement that theie was no-one who hau askeu me to
join the conspiiacy. Theiefoie she ueclaieu that she was veiy pleaseu about my
not letting out the seciet anu tolu me: 'I know the tiuth. Youi iefusal to let out
the seciet is because you aie a veiy uiscieet man.'

Since Empiess Taitu hau heaiu it being iepoiteu that it was in the Ninisteiial
Council Chambei that this mattei of the conspiiacy hau been staiteu, she foileu
theii plot foi the time being by causing the Ninisteiial Council Chambei to be
closeu. Fuitheimoie, in the pievious yeai thiee ueimans hau come on
goveinment appointments to an auviseiship anu posts in meuicine anu
euucation anu weie woiking while fiequently meeting the Ninisteis about theii
iespective tasks. Since Empiess Taitu enteitaineu some suspicion that peihaps
those ueimans might have given auvice to the Ninisteis to conspiie against hei,
it was iepoiteu that, while seeking some pietext, she maue them give up theii
woik.

Since in that yeai Bejazmatch Abieha, the goveinoi of Enuaita in the Tigie
piovince, hau iebelleu, Ras Abata, while he was still Wagshum, attackeu Bej.
Abieha at the enu of Naskaiam 19u2 (= 0ctobei 19u9) anu uefeateu him. It was
iepoiteu that othei goveinois of the Tigie piovince weie looking on in silence
without coming to the aiu of Bej. Abieha oi Ras Abata.

Empeioi Nenelik's illness was of the type calleu paialysis which pieventeu him
moving all his limbs anu caiiying out his woik; on the 17th of Teqemt 19u2 (=
27th 0ctobei 19u9) at 9.uu o'clock at night (= S a.m.) it suuuenly became
impossible foi him eithei to move oi to speak; anu when the officeis anu the
aimy heaiu about this, theie was gieat sauness in the piecincts of the Palace anu
in the capital. Yet aftei a few uays the illness seemeu to ielax its holu ovei him
anu he appeaieu to be getting bettei, but it was not thought that he hau many
yeais left till ueath woulu oveitake him.


Chaptei 4 - About my appointment to the goveinoiship of Baiai anu its piovince
(191u)

AFTER this, Bejazmatch Baltcha, who was uoveinoi of Baiai, was summoneu to
Auuis Ababa in the month of Tahsas (Becembei 19u9}anuaiy 191u), anu even
befoie he enteieu Auuis Ababa it again began to be iumouieu by the mouth of
the people that the Empeioi was about to give the goveinoiship of Baiai to
Bejazmatch Tafaii. When Bejazmatch Baltcha, while still on his way, heaiu this,
he began to make stienuous enueavouis, immeuiately on aiiival at Auuis Ababa,
to ietain the goveinoiship of Baiai by means of inteicessois as well as money.
But I was biuing my time, caiiying out my othei uaily uuties anu thinking that I
coulu not fail to obtain the goveinoiship whenevei it might be uou's will to show
me favoui.

Latei, one uay unexpecteuly, Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma, Ras Bitwauuau Nangasha
Atikam, Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, anu Tsahafe Te'ezaz uabia Sellasse Walua
Aiagay, while assembleu togethei, summoneu me anu saiu: 'Although you aie
still a youth in age, but because youi entiie woik in goveining Siuamo hau
shown you to be knowleugeable, the Empiess has now given you Baiaige which
useu to be youi fathei's goveinoiate.' I boweu anu saiu: 'With youi help I will
take piopei caie of the goveinment (of the piovince), foi I know that a gieat
iesponsibility iests upon me in being uoveinoi of Baiai.' The pioclamation in
my favoui was issueu in the uieat Squaie on the 24th uay of Yakatit 19u2 (= Siu
Naich 191u); anu when I went to my home the people's joy coulu be seen to
exceeu all bounus. As the Biplomatic Coips, who hau iesiuent consulates at
Baiai, came to my house infoiming me of theii paiticipation in my joy, they
ueclaieu: 'We tiust that you will govein Baiai in the same fine mannei as youi
fathei.'

0ntil I coulu go uown to my goveinoiate of Baiai, I tiansmitteu oiueis that
Fitawiaii (latei Bejazmatch) uabie, who hau been my fathei's loyal followei,
shoulu stay theie anu piotect the countiy as my ueputy. While I was piepaiing
foi my jouiney to Baiai, it was suuuenly iepoiteu that Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma
was once again secietly stiiiing up a plot against Empiess Taitu. Although it was
Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma who was the leauei of the conspiiacy, Bejazmatch
uabia Sellasse," Fitawiaii (latei Bejazmatch) Wassane, Bejazmatch Beiqe, anu
Bejazmatch Naieu weie those who acteu as piincipal suppoiteis. It was saiu that
Bejazmatch (latei Ras) Bames, who was living theie aftei iemoval fiom his
goveinoiship, was uiging things on secietly iathei than openly.

A few uays aftei my appointment to the goveinoiship of Baiai, all the nobles
assembleu in the house of the Aichbishop, Abuna Nattewos, maue vaiious
seuitious chaiges against Empiess Taitu anu pioffeieu auvice, expiessing theii
thoughts as follows: 'We uo not want you to entei upon the affaiis of
goveinment, but you shoulu hencefoith iemain in the Palace looking aftei the
sick |Empeioij'. But Empiess Taitu hau many paitisans anu consequently things
iemaineu in abeyance, because it causeu uifficulty to ueteimine the mattei.
Empiess Taitu was stiong-willeu anu an expeit in the ait of iuling. At that time, I
was an aumiiei of Empiess Taitu's iegal qualities. Since it was with hei help that
I hau been appointeu to the goveinoiship of Baiai, the nobles uiu not uaie talk
to me about it anu ieveal the mattei.

Aftei things hau iemaineu in abeyance, without a uecision having been ieacheu,
foi about 1S uays, a meeting was calleu in the house of Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis,
anu all of us weie summoneu on 11th Nagabit (= 2uth Naich 191u) anu went
theie.1 Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma also came, summoneu like the (othei)
noblemen, in oiuei to let it appeai that he hau not enteieu upon the mattei.
Afteiwaius Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, being the spokesman of the meeting,
ueclaieu: 'We aie not pleaseu about all the woik which Empiess Taitu is caiiying
out, anu paiticulaily about the appointments anu uismissals. 0nly Bejazmatch
Tafaii's appointment to his fathei's goveinoiship in Baiai is fine anu his alone
may stanu, but the iemaining appointments anu uismissals aie to be cancelleu.
In futuie she is not to inteifeie with us in the business of goveinment.' Anu the
speech finisheu thus: 'We all say with one voice "let Bejazmatch Tafaii's
appointment be valiu", but it is piopei to cancel the othei appointments anu
uismissals.'

0n the moiiow, 12th Nagabit (= 21st Naich), being all assembleu togethei, they
enteieu the Palace, appioacheu Empiess Taitu, anu saiu: 'It is oui view that the
Empiess shoulu iesiue in the Palace anu look aftei the sick Empeioi on oui
behalf, but the woik of goveinment she shoulu leave to the iegent, Ras
Bitwauuau Tasamma.' When they hau finisheu speaking, Empiess Taitu tuineu
hei face towaius Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma anu saiu: 'Why uo you put the blame
on someone else when you know that it is you who has planneu anu uone this
whole thing. I have heaiu eveiything foi ceitain; what ieally sauuens me is youi
opeiating by stealth. As foi goveinment business, when I tolu you some time ago
that I woulu take caie of the ailing Empeioi anu leave affaiis of state alone, you
sent Ras Nangasha Atikam as an inteimeuiaiy, aiguing: "While you have been
caiiying on the business of goveinment, without initiating us, so what uo we
know about it. As foi youi statement that you will abanuon state affaiis, this is
tantamount to saying: what uo I caie if things bieak uown." When you saiu to
me: It is by the woik you unueitake fiom now on that you can best show
giatituue to Nenelik; uiu I not say to you in ieply that I woulu help in eveiy way
possible if I can usefully uo any woik. Anu again, what is the woik that I have
uone without consulting you. Come now, tell me fiankly anu say: "this I hau not
heaiu anu that I hau not known".' Aftei having spoken thus, she blameu him foi
thiee things: (1) foi his stiiiing up secietly the conspiiacy; (2) foi his senuing an
inteimeuiaiy uemanuing that she shoulu caiiy on the woik of goveinment; (S)
that she hau not been uoing anything without infoiming anu consulting him.

Aftei this, as Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma anu the othei noblemen weie ashameu
about the mattei, they boweu anu saiu 'foigive us'. But since Empiess Taitu was
veiy uistiesseu about it, she gave no answei whatevei as iegaius (the iequest
foi) foigivenessexcept to weep silently. Neveitheless the business of
goveinmentin accoiuance with the uecision taken in the house of Fitawiaii
Babta uiyoigiswas tiansfeiieu in full into the hanus of Ras Bitwauuau
Tasamma anu began to be caiiieu out by him.

It hau appeaieu to me piopei foi this ieason that I shoulu wait befoie going
uown to my goveinoiate of Baiai, but when things weie settleu I askeu Ras
Bitwauuau Tasamma's peimission to uepait but was tolu to wait. The ieason
why I was tolu to wait was that iumouis began to ciiculate outsiue to the effect
that some monks, who claimeu to have seen a uieam-vision, tolu him 'If
Bejazmatch Tafaii goes uown to Baiai, it may become veiy uangeious to the
goveinment of Leuj Iyasu.' 0n the fouith uay aftei Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma hau
become iegent plenipotentiaiy, he immeuiately aiiesteu Fitawiaii Tayye
uullelate claiming that he was an auveisaiy of Leuj Iyasu; anu consequently
theie was foi a time a goou ueal of anxiety on my pait. But since man cannot
aveit what uou has willeu, it was Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma's plan to cause Leuj
Iyasu anu me to entei into a covenant anu thus to pievent anything fiom
happening that might be an obstacle in his woik. Thus he took me anu my
fathei's senioi officeis to the house of the Aichbishop, Abuna Nattewos, anu all
of us enteieu upon the following covenant with oaths anu invocations:

(1) That I woulu not seek, by tiickeiy oi iivaliy, Leuj Iyasu's thione.

(2) That my officeis woulu not give me bau auvice to seize Leuj Iyasu's
thione.

(S) That Leuj Iyasu, looking upon me with eyes of iivaliy, woulu not uepose
me fiom my fathei's goveinoiate of Baiai.

(4) That Ras Tasamma, by giving bau anu ueceitful auvice to Leuj Iyasu,
woulu not uismiss me fiom the goveinoiship of Baiai anu woulu not biing about
my uestiuction on account of my (allegeu) iivaliy.

Since I was subsequently peimitteu to go uown to Baiai, I took leave of the gieat
men of iank to whom it is piopei to say gooubye by going to each of theii houses.
Although it was a veiy uelicate time foi taking leave of Empiess Taitu, I felt that
my conscience woulu iepioach me if I went without saying goou-bye; hence I
went to the Palace, took my leave, anu set out on my jouiney.

At that time the iailway fiom Auuis Ababa to Biie Bawa hau not yet been built,
anu the jouiney was extiemely tiiing foi me. We ieacheu Baiai towaius the enu
of Niyazya (eaily Nay). While my ueputy at Baiai hau been awaiting the uay of
oui entiy into the city, having piepaieu a big banquet, it so happeneu by
coinciuence that on the uay on which I ieacheu Baiai it was iepoiteu that the
English king B.N. Euwaiu vII hau uieu on 28th Niyazya 19u2 (= 6th Nay 191u).
Consequently we gave oiueis that the planneu ieception in oui honoui be
cancelleu anu that the flag be flown at half-mast; we then infoimeu the English
Consul at Baiai of oui paiticipation in the giief. That we felt a special giief was
because, at the time of King Euwaiu vII's coionation as King of Englanu anu
Empeioi of Inuia, my fathei B.B. Ras Nakonnen hau gone theie as piincipal
envoy of Empeioi Nenelik anu useu to tell me, at that time, of the honoui with
which he hau been ieceiveu by the English ioyal house. As my fathei ieacheu
Lonuon foi the coionation anu heaiu of the postponement of coionation uay on
account of King Euwaiu's suuuen illness, he went to Westminstei Abbey anu
gaveaccoiuing to the custom obseiveu in oui countiy Ethiopiato the chuich,
as a votive offeiing, a laige goluen cioss anu saiu: 'Coming to Lonuon anu finuing
the King in gieat uangei, if I weie to ietuin to my countiy with the celebiation of
the coionation not taking place I woulu be consiueieu the haibingei of bau luck;
theiefoie, my uou, let youi tiust |King Euwaiuj iecovei foi my sake.' Ny fathei
hau tolu me about this anu I also know of the existence theie of the cioss fiom a
similai encountei: When I came to visit Lonuon in 1916 (= 1924)King ueoige
v having uone me the honoui of inviting methe then Aichbishop of
Canteibuiy, the Rt. Bon. Ranuall Thomas Baviuson, when showing me
Westminstei Abbey, pointeu out to me this goluen cioss anu saiu: 'It is the one
which youi fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, hau given as a votive offeiing foi the
illness of King Euwaiu.'

Seven uays latei the entiie ceiemony of festive welcome was happily completeu,
anu we set out on the task of auministeiing the countiy. What it means to
auministei a laige piovince can only be appieciateu by men who have caiiieu
the iesponsibility of goveinoiship. Even when setting uown in wiiting the affaiis
of auministiation, the buiuens of the task can scaicely be felt by those who just
ieau about it. It may thus seem a commonplace mattei to them. Bowevei, I hau a
heavy anu veiy weaiisome buiuen which was uiffeient fiom that of othei
piovincial goveinois. The ieasons aie as follows:

(1) In my fathei's time the peasants anu soluieis hau not known anothei
goveinoi anu they liveu in concoiu iecognizing him alone as mastei anu as
fathei. But since my fathei's ueath, because of the gubeinatoiial tenuie of
Bejazmatch Yelma anu Bejazmatch Baltcha, this state of affaiis hau changeu, anu
it now fell to me to uevise a methou by which it was possible to govein by
ieconciling peasants anu soluieis anu to please them as in my fathei's time.

(2) Since my biothei, Bejazmatch Yelma, hau uieu shoitly aftei his
appointment to Baiai anu Bejazmatch Baltcha hau been appointeu uoveinoi in
succession, S,uuu of my fathei's aimy weie given to me; these S,uuu hau
subsequently gone to Wallaga, nominally as Leuj Iyasu's aimy. Now, theiefoie, as
they weie once again ietuining to me, I hau to ie-establish quaiteis foi them.

(S) Theie weie many of Bejazmatch Yelma's anu Bejazmatch Baltcha's
seivants who hau iemaineu in Baiai because they wanteu to stay with me, anu I
now hau to give quaiteis to them as well.

(4) As I infoimeu myself of the Klobukowski accoiu into which Empeioi
Nenelik hau enteieu with the Fiench uoveinment in 19uu (= 19u7-8),
conceining all matteis uealing with ielations with foieigneis, I hau to opeiate
the yoke of this tieaty with which Ethiopia hau been buiueneu.

The gieat among the noblemen, soluieis, anu peasants in each uistiict hau
assembleu anu come to paiticipate in my joy at my appointment to the
goveinoiship of Baiai. We tolu them that in futuie we woulu infoim them of
eveiything we weie going to uo about the auministiation of the countiy; anu
then we uismisseu them. We weie iesolveu to set out on the task of
auministeiing the piovince.

At that time we became convinceu that the auministiative iegulations weie at
piesent unwelcome to the aimy. Neveitheless, these iegulations will
unuoubteuly become familiai in the couise of time, anu so we caiiieu on with
oui iueas, conscious that it was necessaiy to uo what is to the benefit of goou
goveinment. While we weie seeking to finu all the iecoius with which the
goveinois pieceuing me hau been woiking (thinking that they woulu assist us in
the task), it tuineu out to be impossible to finu them in full, anu only a few of the
iecoius of my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, anu of my biothei, Bejazmatch Yelma,
weie in fact uiscoveieu. It theiefoie became necessaiy foi us to make enquiiies
anu to ask the elueis among those noblemen anu peasants who hau foi long been
living in Baiai.

Noieovei, the pioblem of accommouation of the aimy officeis anu men hau
become veiy tioublesome foi us. The officeis' quaiteis being in one uistiict,
while the men's weie in anothei, they met only uuiing militaiy expeuitions, but
uiu not always know each othei eithei by sight oi in the chain of commanu. We
weie convinceu that, unless officeis anu men liveu togethei in one uistiict
(upiooting them fiom theii piesent quaiteis) anu got accustomeu to each othei
by sight anu commanu, it woulu be veiy uamaging to goou uiscipline foi them to
meet at the time of militaiy opeiations only. Consequently, it was necessaiy foi
us to know, fiist of all, the numbei of the tioops anu the extent of theii quaiteis,
in oiuei to enable us to make piopei piovisions. We theiefoie gave oiueis that
men shoulu toui the uistiicts of Baiai piovince, counting the peasants able to
pay taxes, anu pioviue this infoimation speeuily by going to each uistiict. When
the men who hau been oiueieu to count these peasants ietuineu aftei
completing theii woik within thiee months, they piesenteu us with wiitten
iecoius showing that theie weie 7u,uuu inhabitants able to pay taxes.

Aftei this we aiiangeu foi the goveinoiate of Baiai to be uiviueu into twelve
laige uistiictsas follows: Tchaitchai, Qoii, Wabbaia, Nietta, Anya,
suiiounuings of Baiai, uaia Nullata, Afian Qalo, Bjaiso, }ijjiga, 0gauen, Issa anu
uoigoia.

0vei these laige uistiicts we appointeu seveial piincipal chiefs anu aiiangeu
that in each uistiict officeis anu men, accoiuing to theii ianks, be piopeily
oiganizeu. Lanuowneis, soluieis, anu officeis hau theii names enteieu in the
iegistei, anu it was aiiangeu that officeis anu men shoulu stay togethei insteau
of being sepaiateu fiom each othei, so that they woulu be founu togethei at a
time when they weie calleu up foi any ieason. It was also aiiangeu to have
couits of justice set up in each uistiict to be iesponsible foi each auministiative
uivision. 0nly as fai as the auministiation of the Chuich is conceineu, was the
time not gianteu to us to complete matteis accoiuing to oui plan; anu foi the
time being we left it as of olu.

Aftei my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, hau uieu, much of the goveinmental
fiamewoik which he hau establisheu hau been uestioyeu on account of the
fiequent change of goveinois of Baiai; I theiefoie felt suie in my heait that the
yoke of goveinment was heavy upon the inhabitants, foi the piovincial
goveinois (Abagaz), the uistiict chiefs (Bamina), anu the local heaumen
(uaiaua) uiu not piotect the population with impaitiality; consequently, we
began to seek an impiovement of the situation. The Abagaz is in effect the
piovincial iegent. The Bamina stanus between the people in the uistiict anu the
tax collectoi, so that the inhabitants pay theii taxes on time; he functions as a
contiollei, lest the tax collectoi shoulu haim the people eithei by taxes oi in
othei ways. Some Baminas have chaige of peihaps fiom 2u to Suu peasants. The
uaiaua is a chief who issues oiueis anu acts unuei the authoiity of the Bamina.
This system is the one which has iemaineu in foice up to now, it having become
customaiy at the time when the Tuiks (i.e. Egyptians) hau seizeu Baiai foi a
shoit time, foi about ten yeais.

Aftei my fathei's ueath, when the auministiative fiamewoik which he hau
establisheu was piogiessively uisintegiating, some tax collectois weie ieceiving
up to 12 uollais in cash, when it was uifficult foi the peasant to piouuce the
honey tax payable on his lanu. We theiefoie commanueu the goveinois anu tax
collectois not to haim the peasants by theii iule, foi they hau begun to uo othei
similai things which weie haimful to the inhabitants. But unless the people
heaiu of this commanu in foim of a pioclamation,

we weie convinceu that they weie not able to uispute impositions of this soit by
iefusing to pay; anu we theiefoie piomulgateu the following pioclamation:

Pioclamation

You who aie Abagaz, look out foi thieves anu biiganus in the countiy which you
govein as ueputy. If I heai it being saiu that in a ceitain piovince people have
been iobbeu, it is the Abagaz who will pay them. You who have no mastei anu
aie unemployeu, entei the town which I have given to the Abagaz anu stay theie;
but uo not uistuib the peasants by being in the villages. If the ioaus in youi
iespective goveinoiates fall into uisiepaii, builu ioaus in oiuei not to make
things uifficult foi the tiaueis going up anu uown the countiy. Bitheito woik on
the Sabbath was foibiuuen; now you will, in fact, be punisheu when founu
woiking on the Sabbath. As foi you who aie liable to honey tax anu possess
honey, I have inuicateu to youi Abagaz the piopei measuie; hence ienuei youi
honey in that measuie. But if you uo not have honey, then give in lieu of the
honey 4 uollais if you aie a uaiaua, S uollais as a Shebata, two as a tenant anu
one as a shepheiu. If, howevei, you possess honey anu say 'I woulu iathei give
cash', then you have to pay uouble the quantity of honey if you aie founu selling
youi honey. You being a uaiaua paying the same amount of tax as a Shebata,
spenu thiee uollais, like a Shebata, foi youi honey. uaiaua, Shebata, tenant, anu
shepheiu, except if it is uifficult foi you, youi tax is honey; hence hang up youi
bee hives. Anu you, Nalkafma (uistiict collectoi), uo not touch the honey befoie
it is ieauy; in futuie, as in the past, woik with youi Bamina in all the woik that is
to be uone. Pieviously I tolu you by pioclamation as follows 'having wanueieu
fiom piovince to piovince, yet you have not acquiieu a new countiy; hence uo
not eat up the kobe basa'. Now I have heaiu it being saiu that you aie ieceiving it
fiom the peasants; theiefoie ietuin to the peasants this money which you have
ieceiveu beyonu the teims of this pioclamation. Anu foi the futuie, you, the
Abagaz anu Bamina, watch lest the Nalkanna (uistiict collectoi), going beyonu
what has been assigneu to them, take away the peasants' money. If the peasants
tell you about the money which has been extoiteu in excess anu if you peisist in
not ietuining it to them, anu if then the peasants uo no woik anu come to me to
complain, then the loss is youis anu you will have to pay the money anu will then
have to get it back fiom the peison who hau taken it fiom the peasants. Anu as
foi you, peasants, uo not come to me befoie you have spoken to the Abagaz anu
the Bamina. Foi the thiee annual festivals, i.e. foi Nasqal, Chiistmas, anu Eastei,
ieceive two uollais each in lieu of castiateu goats, but beyonu this you will not
ieceive anything.

Baiai, 1Sth Bamle 19uS (= 21st }uly 191S).

When the pioclamation hau been issueu, although the Abagaz anu uistiict
collectois weie foi a time not at all pleaseu, aftei a few months they got useu to
the new auministiative iules anu uiscoveieu theii usefulness. As foi the
peasants, since the yoke of goveinment anu taxes was lighteneu foi them, they
all set out to uo theii woik with a calm heait.

Chaptei S - Fiom the time of my maiiiage up to my appointment as ciown-
piince anu iegent plenipotentiaiy (19111916)

WBEN I hau been goveinoi of Baiai anu its entiie piovince foi about a yeai,
stabilizing without mishap the life of peasants anu soluieis, of goveinment anu of
all else necessaiy foi auministiation, it was ueciueu, by my wish anu by that of
my ielations, that I shoulu maiiy (I was in my twentieth yeai at the time)
Wayzaio Nanan (now Empiess), the gianu-uaughtei of Negus Nika'el.

We weie maiiieu by chuich ceiemony on 2S iu Bamle 19uS (= S1st }uly 1911).

Bei chaiactei is such that, apait fiom goouness, theie is no evil oi malice in hei.
Evei since we weie maiiieu we liveu togethei, by viitue of hei being feitile, in
one family shaiing joy as well as sauness.

In saying that we liveu togethei shaiing joy as well as sauness, I cannot omit
wiiting about the fiist gieat sauness, as follows: We weie infoimeu at Baiai of
the ueath, in 19u7 (= 19141S), of Ras Bayla Naiyam, Wayzaio Nanan's youngei
biothei. When theii mothei, Wayzaio Sehin, ietuineu fiom Wallo to Auuis
Ababa, it was ueciueu that, because of hei biothei's ueath, Wayzaio Nanan
shoulu go up to Auuis Ababa foi the joint mouining. Anu consequently she set
out fiom Baiai on Nonuay, Suth uenbot (= 7th }une 191S). Baving accompanieu
hei as fai as Baiamaya, we campeu by the shoie of Lake Baiamaya, as We (i.e.
Bej. Tafaii) wisheu to ietuin (to Baiai).

In the past theie was a boat in which the foieigneis living at Baiai anu Biie
Bawa useu sometimes to entei Lake Baiamaya foi iecieation; we theiefoie left
the tent at 9 o'clock (= S p.m.) anu went to the lake. Theie weie ten people who
boaiueu the boat with us to ielax on the lake. Aftei we hau embaikeu we passeu
towaius the centie anu eventually ciosseu to the othei siue. Baving stayeu a
little while on the opposite shoie, we enteieu the boat once again to ietuin to
oui camp. But the boat was iathei olu anu, as we ieacheu the miuule of the lake,
it was holeu anu watei began to entei.

As the people in the boat scoopeu out the watei with theii hats, it uiu not
uiminish when they pouieu it out. 0nce we hau become convinceu of the fact
that the boat was leaking, that it was impossible to cioss with us insiue it, anu
that we weie all of us sinking with the boat, we began to swim with gieat
uifficulty. But as the lake was wiue anu it was impossible to cioss it by
swimming, the following seven men became exhausteu anu uiowneu: Abba
Tasfa, Qagnazmatch uabia Walu, Ato Ayala Seyum, Kiuana Naiyam Nanyazawal,
Asamie, Abba Samuel, Paulos. But I anu Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse weie going
unuei anu coming up again. Bejatch Abieha's seivant helpeu me. As the officeis
anu men who weie watching this stanuing by the shoie of the lake became
convinceu of the shipwieck, all those able to swim thiew themselves into the
lake; anu as they ieacheu us we emeigeu, having only just escapeu fiom ueath.
As we got out, oui soul hau baiely been pieventeu fiom getting sepaiateu fiom
oui bouy, but we weie unable to iecognize anyone oi to speak.

It so happeneu that by chance Bi. Zeivos, a uieek who hau eailiei been a
physician, was theie at that time anu he tieateu me with meuicines as fai as
possible; anu little by little I was able to iecognize people's outline.

0n the moiiow they caiiieu me on a stietchei to Amaiessa, anu fiom Amaiessa
took me uown to Baiai; anu on the twelfth uay, being quite well again, I went up
to the chuich of St Nichael anu gave thanks to uou.

Wayzaio Nanan, being shockeu on account of my acciuent, abanuoneu hei
jouiney to Auuis Ababa anu ietuineu to Baiai.

Chaptei 6 - The ieason why the iancoui between Leuj Iyasu anu myself began

AFTER my appointment to the goveinoiship of Baiai anu my maiiiage to
Wayzaio Nanan, I liveu happily foi about a yeai. But theieaftei, since in this
woilu joy anu sauness always alteinate, my joy began piogiessively to change
into sauness. The ieason foi this is as follows:

Aftei the ueath of Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma, who hau been Leuj Iyasu's guaiuian
anu iegent of the Empiie, no othei guaiuian hau been appointeu foi Leuj Iyasu.
But the lattei thus sought in eveiything the company anu counsel of woithless
men who only wanteu theii own immeuiate piofit, while the gieat nobles anu
ministeis became hostile anu iemoveu theii heaits fiom him.

Those woithless men whom he hau maue auviseis associateu with some foieign
tiaueis anu saiu: 'We aie impoiting fiom abioau commouities like this; we aie
senuing abioau goous like that, hence excuse us customs-uuties.' veiy few only
weie those who sought the tiuth anu auviseu him as follows: 'Quite apait fiom
obtaining peimits by fiauu, if they uo this youi goveinment will be haimeu; if
they uo that youi goveinment will piofit; if they uo this iotten thing, the people
will be hostile.'

Fuitheimoie, when he claimeu, by viitue of his Wallo uescent, to be uescenueu
fiom the Piophet Nuhammau, counting back some foity geneiations, anu when
he woikeu foi a meeting anu iappiochement in faith with the Nuslims, he woulu
not accept it if anyone tiieu to auvise: 'Lay off, foi it is this soit of thing that will
biing uamage upon youi goveinment anu upon youiself.' Be began to aiiange
foi the Palace aims anu all the othei excellent equipment to go to Negus Nika'el.

While, in uoing all this, he was awaie of eveiybouy's hostility, anu insteau of
watching things by being in one place, he uiu a gieat ueal of ioaming about,
joyfully invauing tianquil piovinces anu killing people, some time going to
uimiia, anothei to Wallo, yet anothei to Aual countiy, anu sometimes to Baiai.
The bloou of many was flowing. When he ietuineu fiom his tiips, the nobles anu
ministeis, tenueiing auvice anu getting angiy, all uespaiieu when they iealizeu
theii inability to iestoie his minu to sanity.

Theie weie, howevei, some who auviseu him as follows: 'If the honoui of the
gieat nobles of Nenelik's time weie ieuuceu anu theii iank uiminisheu, then it
woulu be convenient foi you to iaise to office the humble; it woulu assuieuly
iesult fiom this that these minoi figuies will iespectfully love you alone, anu
with theii suppoit you will be able to act as you wish anu to uestioy youi
enemies.' As this appeaieu to him to be tiue, he began to stiive to biing this
about.

Be himself came upon me at Baiai in 19u7 (= 19141S), summoneu my aimy's
officeis anu the gieat among the peasants, anu askeu at a seciet meeting: 'Tell
me if theie is a wiong that Bejazmatch Tafaii has uone you.' Be then gianteu
auuiences while giving auvice to my uetiiment, stayeu foi a few uays anu then
ietuineu. I heaiu this fiom men who hau actually been questioneu.

Afteiwaius, in uenbot (= Nay 1916), he summoneu me to Auuis Ababa; anu
when we hau iemaineu togethei foi about two months, he set out fiom Auuis
Ababa by night on 21st Bamle (= 29th }uly), without infoiming me, boaiueu the
tiain at Akaki, anu next moining I heaiu about his uescent to Baiai.

When I knew foi ceitain that he hau gone uown to Baiai anu although he went
theie without infoiming me, I thought it shoulu not appeai that I was hostile to
his jouiney theie because he hau not given me piioi infoimation (foi the title to
the Baiai goveinoiship was mine), anu I theiefoie wiote him a lettei as follows:
'If you aie staying at Baiai, let me come theie; if you aie ietuining to Auuis
Ababa, I shall ietuin togethei (with you).' When I hau sent him that lettei by the
hanu of my seivant Zallaqa Kallala, he wiote back to me on 28th Bamle 19u8
(Sth August 1916) as follows: 'I hau tolu Bitwauuau Bayla uiyoigis that he
shoulu infoim you of the ieason why I came to Baiai. If you weie to come to
Baiai now anu then to ietuin with me to Auuis Ababa, the iailway ueficit woulu
be veiy gieat foi you, because youi aimy is so numeious; hence stay theie. If I
weie to stay heie foi a long time, I woulu wiite to you again.'

When he enteieu Baiai city, evil men, who came between us anu tenueieu
auvice that he shoulu uismiss Bejazmatch Tafaii fiom the goveinoiship of Baiai
anu appoint himself, began to piess him to put into piactice the counsel they hau
eailiei pioffeieu, foi now they hau Leuj Iyasu to themselves. Theiefoie, on 7th
Nahase 19u8 (= 14th August 1916) he summoneu my ueputy, Fitawiaii uabie,
anu gave oiueis that all the camping places in the hanus of Bejazmatch Tafaii's
seivants be seizeuapait fiom those occupieu by goveinment tioops. Be then
tiansmitteu the following oiueis by telegiam to Bitwauuau Bayla uiyoigis: 'I
have assumeu, with immeuiate effect, the goveinoiship of Baiai.

I have given the goveinoiship of Kaffa to Bejazmatch Tafaii; let him be tolu.' Be
infoimeu me that I was to go to Kaffa at once, as these weie Leuj Iyasu's oiueis.

Subsequently he (Leuj Iyasu) sent me a lettei uiiect, wiitten on the 1uth of
Nahase 19u8 (= 17th August 1916), stating: 'I have appointeu Baiai my own
peisonal goveinoiate; I have placeu unuei youi goveinoiship Kaffa anu Naji,
anu unuei youi authoiity uuiiafaiua.'

When the people at Auuis Ababa, gieat anu small, heaiu this, they ueclaieu
openly: the fact that he (Leuj Iyasu) is taking away the goveinoiship of Baiai
fiom Bejazmatch Tafaii is not so much foi the goveinoiate but because he has
been conveiteu to the Islamic faith anu foi the sake of fuithei iappiochement to
the Nuslims.

At the time of the uieat Woilu Wai, when some foieigneis, piesenteu to him
(Leuj Iyasu) theii view: 'even though you cannot help the English, the Fiench,
anu the Italians, who aie Ethiopia's neighbouis at the fiontieis, with aimeu
foice, it woulu be goou if you woulu at least assist with piovisions, i.e. with foou',
yet he uiu not listen. Insteau, he hau begun on an exchange of seciet
coiiesponuence with the peoples suiiounuing Ethiopia, the Aualites anu the
Somalis, with a view to iesisting the Allies. But as the iepiesentatives of the
thiee goveinments iesiuent at Auuis Ababa hau uiscoveieu this exchange of
seciet letteis, they maue an official appioach anu, it is iepoiteu, piesenteu |the
coiiesponuencej to Bitwauuau Bayla uiyoigis,

When the leaueis of Ethiopia founu out about this whole affaii, they became
convinceu of the neeu to uepose Leuj Iyasu. But as it appeaieu to them likely that
theii seciet woulu be betiayeu if they weie assembleu togethei foi consultation,
they chose seivants as tiusteu messengeis anu began to coiiesponu thiough
them as go-betweens. But some met by night at a hiuuen place anu, aftei talking
to each othei face to face, sepaiateu again. 0theis again weie asking: 'Infoim us
fiist about the successoi once Leuj Iyasu is ueposeu'; but the paity which
appioveu of Leuj Iyasu's ueposition began to giow steauily, since they glauly
accepteu the opinion when they weie tolu: 'We shall put Empeioi Nenelik's
uaughtei, Wayzaio Zawuitu, on the thione anu shall appoint B.B. Ras
Nakonnen's son, Bejazmatch Tafaii, as Ciown Piince anu Regent.'

When they askeu me to entei upon these consultations, (I ieplieu): When I fiist
uepaiteu foi my fathei's goveinoiate of Baiaige to take up my appointment, Ras
Bitwauuau Tasamma took us both (Leuj Iyasu anu myself) to the house of the
Aichbishop, Abuna Nattewos, anu causeu us to entei upon a covenant, by oaths
anu invocations, that Leuj Iyasu shoulu not uepose me fiom my goveinoiship of
Baiaige anu that I shoulu not seek his thione by foul means. But now Leuj Iyasu
has violateu the solemn covenant of oaths anu invocations, has uismisseu me
fiom my goveinoiship of Baiaige, anu foi my pait this is sufficient eviuence.
Fuitheimoie, I saiu to them: since you have now convinceu me of Leuj Iyasu's
conveision to Islam, theie is nothing in which I uiffei fiom you. Anu they gave
me auequate infoimation by ieauing out eveiything they hau wiitten, so that it
be pioof to the people foi the futuie.


Chaptei 7 - Fiom the ueposition of Leuj Iyasu on 17th Naskaiam 19u9 (= 27th
Sept. 1916) to the assumption of the ciown by Queen Zawuitu on 4th Yakatit
19u9 (= 11th Febiuaiy 1917)

WBILE Leuj Iyasu went to anu fio between the towns of Biie Bawa, Baiai, anu
}ijjiga, anu while he assembleu Aualites anu Somalis giving them meuals anu
aims, he stayeu theie ueclaiing: 'I am on youi siue in iespect of ieligion'; it was
then heaiu that Nuslims weie mocking: 'he is neithei Chiistian noi Nuslim'. 0n
the 17th uay of Naskaiam 19u9 (= 27th Sept. 1916), on the uay of the gieat feast
of Nasqal, it was aiiangeu that the nobles with the aimy, anu the Aichbishop
Abuna Nattewos, anu the Etchage Walua uiyoigis with the piiests, shoulu
assemble at a piepaieu place within the piecincts of the Palace; anu when they
hau all aiiiveu anu taken theii seat accoiuing to theii iank, the following
inuictment against Leuj Iyasu, which hau been secietly piepaieu, was ieau out:

'The Chiistian faith, which oui fatheis hau hitheito caiefully ietaineu by fighting
foi theii faith with the Nuslims anu by sheuuing theii bloou, Leuj Iyasu
exchangeu foi the Nuslim ieligion anu aiouseu commotion in oui miust; in oiuei
to exteiminate us by mutual fighting he has conveiteu to Islam anu, theiefoie,
we shall hencefoith not submit to him; we shall not place a Nuslim king on the
thione of a Chiistian king; we have ample pioof of his conveision to Islam:

(1) Be maiiieu foui wives claiming: "the Qui'an peimits it to me". 0f these wives
one is the uaughtei of Abba }iffai of the }imma nobility; the seconu is the
uaughtei of Bajj Abuullahi of the Baiai nobility; the thiiu is the uaughtei of Abu
Baki of the Aual nobility; the fathei of the fouith, Bejatch Bjote, became a
Chiistian anu baptizeu his uaughtei; while she liveu unuei hei baptismal name
Askala Naiyam, it was to Bejatch Bjote's uaughtei that he (Leuj Iyasu) latei on,
aftei his conveision to Islam, gave the Nuslim woman's name of Nomina.

(2) Be built a mosque at }ijjiga with goveinment funus anu gave it to the
Nuslims.

(S) At that time he sent to Nahazai Bey, the foieign |Tuikishj consul iesiuent
at Auuis Ababaas he was celebiating the Ramauan feastoui Ethiopian flag
(on which theie was wiitten "The Lion of the Tiibe of }uuah has pievaileu" anu
auoineu with the sign of the Cioss) on which he hau causeu to be wiitten the
following woius (in Aiabic): "Theie is no gou but Allah anu Nuhammau is the
messengei of Allah".

(4) Be woie Somali Nuslim clothes anu the Nuslim tuiban, helu the Islamic
iosaiy, anu was seen to piostiate himself in the mosque.

(S) Be was seen piaying anu ieauing the Qui'an having hau it tiansciibeu in
Amhaiic chaiacteis.

(6) 0n the heaugeai of his special guaius he hau embioiueieu the legenu
"theie is no gou but Allah".

(7) B.B. Ras Nakonnen hau built a chuich at Baiai anu hau maue the aiea
aujoining the chuich into a uwelling foi the cleigy, giving the Nuslims a place in
exchange; then, S2 yeais latei, he (Leuj Iyasu) expelleu the cleigy anu iestoieu it
to the Nuslims.

(8) When a giil was boin to him he saw to it that she woulu giow up leaining
the Nuslim ieligion, anu he gave hei to the Nuslim Nauame Banafi anu saiu:
"Biing hei up on my behalf".

(9) Be uespiseu the uescent of Nenelik II, which comes uiiect fiom Nenelik I,
anu claimeu to be uescenueu fiom the Piophet Nuhammau; assembling the gieat
Nuslim sheikhs he spent the uay convincing them of his genealogical
calculations.

(1u) The uay on which oui gieat king, Empeioi Nenelik, who hau bequeatheu
him the thione, uieu, insteau of mouining anu of aiianging lamentations he went
out hoise-iiuing to }an-Neua anu spent the uay playing combat-games. Be
foibaue Nenelik's bouy to be buiieu with uignity anu thus it has iemaineu up to
now. We possess a gieat ueal of fuithei

similai pioof (against Leuj Iyasu).

Theiefoie, having ueposeu him (Leuj Iyasu), we have placeu on the thione
Wayzaio Zawuitu, Empeioi Nenelik's uaughtei. We have appointeu Bejazmatch
Tafaii, the son of B.B. Ras Nakonnen, Ciown Piince, with the iank of Ras, anu
Regent of the Empiie.'

When the ieauing of this pioclamation was concluueu, all those assembleu saiu
with one voice: 'We accept glauly, hence let it be caiiieu out with success.' The
Aichbishop, Abuna Nattewos, anu the Etchage Walua uiyoigis spoke the
following final woius: 'Leuj Iyasu has iepuuiateu the Chiistian ieligion anu,
because he has been conveiteu to the Islamic faith, we have excommunicateu
him; you will be excommunicateu if hencefoith you follow Leuj Iyasu anu submit
to himinsteau of living stiong in the 0ithouox faith anu watchful of the
fieeuom of youi goveinment'.

Afteiwaius the pioclamation was issueu by which the Thione anu the Ciown
went to Queen Zawuitu, while the succession to the Thione anu the Regency
Plenipotentiaiy went to me; the text of the pioclamation was then tiansmitteu
by telephone to the piinces anu nobles anu all the piovincial goveinois in the
whole of Ethiopia. As it was about 4u yeais since Negus Nika'el hau been
conveiteu fiom Islam to Chiistianity, he hau been mentioning to some of the
nobles his sauness at his son's conveision to Islam; consequently, the text of the
pioclamation was tiansmitteu to him in the thought that he was bounu to be
allieu with us now as iegaius his son's ueposition.

When Leuj Iyasu, staying at Baiai, heaiu about his own ueposition, the
enthionement of Queen Zawuitu anu my appointment as Ciown Piince anu
Regent Plenipotentiaiy, he collecteu Somalis anu Aualites anu aiiangeu foi
uistuibances to be cieateu in the city; as Chiistians anu Nuslims weie now
fighting on sepaiate siues, some Suu men fiom both siues uieu. As Bejazmatch
Baltcha anu Qagnazmatch (now Ras) Emiu weie at the time at Baiai, they weie
seizeu; but Leuj Iyasu ieleaseu Bejazmatch Baltcha unuei oath that he woulu not
get sepaiateu fiom him. Qagnazmatch Emiu, howevei, he kept unuei uetention.

All my officeis anu seivantswith few exceptionswho weie at Baiai ueseiteu
Leuj Iyasu, uepaiteu foi a uistiict calleu Qaisa, anu began to wait theie in piopei
battle foimation. Qagnazmatch Emiu escapeu fiom the place at which he hau
been uetaineu anu went out |theiej.

This is what happeneu to Leuj Iyasu subsequently: Baving collecteu a iegulai
bouy of tioops, he appointeu Bejazmatch uugsa Alyo as aimy commanuei; since
it was iepoiteu that Leuj Iyasu hau uespatcheu him to Awash, we maue
Bejazmatch Ayalew Beiiu aimy commanuei anu sent Bejatch Bayla Naiyam
Lamma, Bejatch Aumasu Beiiu, Leuj Ababa Bamtaw, Leuj Basta Bamtaw,
Fitawiaii Nakuiiya uaimame, anu auueu othei iegulai tioops. They
encounteieu each othei at a iailway station calleu Ne'eso (Niesso), anu on the
2Sth of Naskaiam (== 6th 0ctobei) they uefeateu Bejazmatch uugsa Alyo. Be
himself, howevei, escapeu by tiain anu enteieu Biie Bawa.

When Leuj Iyasu saw that the Chiistians at Baiai anu its entiie piovince as well
as the Nuslims weie ueseiting him, he went uown to Biie Bawa anu seizeu about
all he coulu of the money in the tieasuiy; what he coulu not (take), he sent to
}ibuti by the hanus of N. Yulibi anu then tiavelleu by way of the Aual ueseit to
ieach his fathei's goveinoiate of Wallo.

But a telephone message hau been tiansmitteu to Negus Nika'el to the effect: 'As
youi son has gone ovei to Islam, we have ueposeu him, have enthioneu Queen
Zawuitu, anu have appointeu B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen Ciown Piince anu Regent
Plenipotentiaiy.' When Negus Nika'el iealizeu this, he saiu: 'I hau been stiiving
to make my son fiim in the Chiistian faith even to the point of angiily counselling
him, but neveitheless I cannot silently look' on while they take away fiom him
the thione which his gianufathei, Empeioi Nenelik, hau given him.' It was
iepoiteu then that Negus Nika'el hau mobilizeu his aimy by pioclamation anu
was maiching towaius Shoa; theiefoie, the piinces, nobles, anu ministeis jointly
sent him the following message in wiiting:

'Nay it ieach Negus Nika'el whose authoiity is wiitten upon his shouluei, King of
Zion.

You, the King, know that all the woik which youi son, Leuj Iyasu, has
accomplisheu fiom the time he became Ciown Piince up to the piesent was
chiluish behavioui. When we meant to tiain him with iepioachful counsel, we
uiu not finu the occasion because, to oui chagiin, he nevei stayeu long enough in
one place. When at times we manageu to finu him anu tenueieu auvice, he woulu
not accept oui view. When we watcheu him patiently, lest his peisonality shoulu
feel offenueu, thinking that peihaps one uay soon he woulu become awaie of his
goveinment's neeu anu of his own iank anu honoui anu peihaps abanuon his
youthful puisuits, yet he hau still not hau enough of these pueiilia anu began
stiiving to establish Islam in oui countiy Ethiopia which hau liveu steaufast in
hei Chiistianity foi some 16uu yeais since Abieha anu Asbeha anu Salama, the
ievealei of the light.

When in the pievious yeai he came to Wallo, you, oh King, know youiself all the
things he uiu togethei with the Nuslims uuiing the iainy season. Again, we have
heaiu of youi angiy counsel to Leuj Iyasu, when you iecognizeu that his heait
hau been alienateu fiom the Chiistian faith, anu saiu to him: "I beg you, my son,
abanuon this plan of youis!", yet even you, oh King, uiu not pievail. Anu now we
aie senuing you, togethei with this lettei, photogiaphs of him which piove all the
things he has been uoing jointly with the Nuslims when he went uown to Baiai
secietly without infoiming us.

We hau suffeieu all this patiently, but when all of us togethei, incluuing the
Aichbishop anu the Etchage, sent him a lettei iequesting him to come to Auuis
Ababa, at any iate foi the New Yeai celebiations, he peisisteu in not coming. 0ui
anxiety in acting in this mannei aiises fiom the thought lest the Chiistian faith be
extinguisheu anu, foi this ieason, the bloou of Chiistians be sheu in vain anu oui
countiy pass into the hanus of foieigneis; may the king thus be veiy minuful of
this mattei! It is known that the people woulu not have iisen up, unless they hau
been ceitain of this. Noieovei, we woulu ieminu you of the extinction of youi
name as well, foi it is bounu to iemain iecoiueu in histoiy foi futuie
geneiations: Because of Leuj Iyasu, Negus Nika'el's son, the Chiistian ieligion
was eclipseu in Ethiopia, anu the Islamic faith expanueu.

In wiiting all this to the king, it is not that we have acteu thus with the intention
that Leuj Iyasu be haimeu oi, in paiticulai, that the king be antagonizeu, but it is
with the thought that we shoulu act jointly foi what is of benefit to oui ieligion
anu to oui goveinment; youi plans uo not uiveige fiom ouis, foi we know that
you love Empeioi Nenelik anu all of us anu aie much conceineu foi the Chiistian
faith.'

24th Naskaiam 19u9 (== Sth 0ct. 1916).

Aftei this lettei hau ieacheu Negus Nika'el, he iefuseu to ietuin in any
ciicumstances; anu as oui envoys infoimeu us by telephone of his maiching
foiwaiu, we placeu the aimy that was stationeu at Auuis Ababa at the time unuei
the commanu of Ras Lul Sagau anu sent him on in auvance. When he ieacheu a
Shoan uistiict calleu Toia Nask, he suuuenly encounteieu Negus Nika'el's
auvance tioops, anu on Tuesuay, 7th Teqemt (= 17th 0ct. 1916), we heaiu by
telephone of the ueath in battle of Ras Lul Sagau, Bejatch Tasamma uazmu, Liqa
Nakwas Ababa Atnaf Sagau, Fitawiaii Zawue uobana, Asalafi Abbe,
Qagnazmatch Belnasahu, Asalafi Belnase, Ato Shawaye, anu othei aimy
commanueis.

Alieauy eailiei on oui Wai Ninistei, Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, hau left Auuis
Ababa on Siu Teqemt (= 1Sth 0ctobei); anu when he ieacheu Koiamash aftei a
long maich, we aiiangeu that he shoulu stay theie uistiibuting to each soluiei
aims fiom the wai mateiial at Koiamash. Anu We 0uiselves set out on 9th
Teqemt (= 19th 0ctobei). So that the aimeu foices fiom each uistiict shoulu
aiiive by as iapiu a maich as possible, We infoimeu the aimy by the following
pioclamation:

The text of the Pioclamation.

'Listen, people of my countiy, Ethiopia!

Since Leuj Iyasu, uigiessing fiom Empeioi Nenelik's wishes, hau openly shown
his auheience to Islam, piostiating himself in mosques togethei with Nuslims
anu tiacing back his Islamic genealogy, while setting asiue Nenelik's cuise
against him uesigneu to pievent him committing evil ueeus, he was unable to
caiiy on the auministiation, anu we, theiefoie, hau to uepose him anu placeu
Queen Zawuitu on hei fathei's thione.

While we weie thinking that Negus Nika'el was awaie of his son's conveision to
Islam anu that togethei with us he woulu be sheuuing his bloou foi the Chiistian
faith, he came maiching fiom Wallo to fight us anu insisting that we shoulu at
once submit to a Nuslim king. Theiefoie, those of you who aie men, follow me!'

Aftei We hau issueu this pioclamation, We maicheu foiwaiu. But since
bloousheu among Ethiopians themselves is extiemely sauuening, I aiiangeu that
monks anu piiois fiom the monasteiies of Babia Libanos anu Zequala anu fiom
all the vaiious chuiches shoulu be selecteu anu come with theii ciosses to
iequest Negus Nika'el to go back to Wallo without making wai. But woiu
ieacheu us by telephone that Negus Nika'el, fai fiom going back, hau in fact
seizeu anu aiiesteu the monks who hau been sent to biing about peace; we thus
became convinceu that his uecision to engage in battle was now plain anu
geneially known.

0n 1Sth Teqemt (= 2Sth 0ctobei) we set out fiom Koiamash anu maicheu on; on
16th Teqemt (= 26th 0ctobei) oui camp anu that of Negus Nika'el spent the
night opposite each othei at a plain of the Taiia uistiict calleu Sagale.

0n Fiiuay, 17th Teqemt (= 27th 0ctobei), staiting at 7 o'clock at night (= 1 a.m.),
he (Negus Nika'el) stationeu his aimy officeis on the iight anu left flanks, anu
positioneu himself in the centie; anu when the moining uawneu, he began
opening fiie anu launcheu a suipiise attack against oui gunneis who hau been
spenuing the night on guaiu uuty. Theieupon We placeu 0ui Wai Ninistei,
Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, at the fiont, Ras Kassa at Negus Nika'el's ieai, anu the
iemaining Rases anu Bejazmatches on the iight anu left flanks; when we hau
joineu the entiie aimy at the ieai, we engageu the enemy in battle.

When we hau fought fiom eaily moining foi about five houis anu when the
Shoan aimy, leaping like a leopaiu seeing a goat, like a lion seeing a cow, enteieu
in battle foimationswoius uiawn anu fighting hanu to hanuNegus Nika'el
was uefeateu anu captuieu. 0f his aimy many uieu anu many weie captuieu,
while those who iemaineu fleu anu ietuineu to Wallo.

When Leuj Iyasu, having to tiavel by way of the Aual countiy anu maiching fast
to ieach the battle, aiiiveu at Ankobei, he heaiu of Negus Nika'el's uefeat; he
ietiaceu his steps anu got to the Wallo iegion by the Aual uetoui.

Although it was geneially known that Negus Nika'el hau been captuieu, this was
a foimality only; in fact, We aiiangeu eveiything befitting his uignity, so that no
humiliation whatevei shoulu affect him. As foi the othei piisoneis, since we have
no othei quaiiel with Wallo anu minuful of the fact that we aie all natives of one
Ethiopia, we alloweu them, by pioclamation, to go back to theii countiy of Wallo
aftei theii ielease.

As we announceu the stoiy of the victoiy to Auuis Ababa by telephone all the
people of the capital, fiom Queen Zawuitu uownwaius, weie oveijoyeu. When
we got back to Auuis Ababa, on Thuisuay, 2Siu Teqemt (= 2nu Nov.), B.N. Queen
Zawuitu, seateu in a vast tent at }an-Neua, anu the people of the capital being
assembleu in full, ieceiveu us with a gieat paiaue, with ululating anu with joy.

Chaptei 8 - Fiom the coionation of Queen Zawuitu up to Leuj Iyasu's uefeat at
Wallo anu subsequent escape

SINCE it hau been iesolveu in Council that Queen Zawuitu's coionation shoulu
take place on 4th Yakatit 19u9 (= 11th Febiuaiy, 1917), we began passing on
instiuctions to all chiefs that eveiything necessaiy foi the celebiation of the
coionation be piepaieu. Theie weie inviteu to come to Auuis Ababa foi the
coionation the goveinoi of Bagemeuei anu Semien, Ras Walua uiyoigis, the
goveinoi of Sallale, Boiana anu Baiia, Ras Kassa, the goveinoi of uojjam, Ras
Baylu, the goveinoi of Tigie, Ras Seyum, anu othei goveinois of the laige
piovinces. The political atmospheie at that time was giave foi invitations of this
kinu.

Respectful invitations to come to the coionation weie sent to the goveinois of
foieign countiies coteiminous with Ethiopia, i.e. the goveinois of the Biitish
Suuan anu of Biitish Somalilanu as well as the goveinoi of Fiench Somalilanu.

When all those inviteu hau aiiiveu, on Sunuay the 4th of Yakatit (= 11th
Febiuaiy 1917), in the gieat catheuial, the Chuich of St. ueoige, Queen Zawuitu
was anointeu with the oil of kingship at the hanus of the Aichbishop, the Abuna
Nattewos, anu woie the Impeiial Ciown.

Aftei this, accoiuing to the law of the 0iuinances of Kingship, it was once moie
pioclaimeu, in fiont of those assembleu within the piecincts of the chuich, that
Queen Zawuitu sitting on hei fathei's thione was assuming hei ieign anu I was
becoming Ciown Piince anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy.

Eight uays latei , on 11th Yakatit (= 18th Febiuaiy), Ras Walua uiyoigis was
ciowneu by Queen Zawuitu anu pioclaimeu Negus of uonuai. Foi the sake of his
kingship, authoiity ovei the Tigie piovince was auueu foi his enhancement.

In making once again piopei balances anu aujustments foi piovincial
appointments anu uemotions, We gave to Ras Wale his eistwhile goveinoiate of
Yajju; to his son, Ras uugsa (Wale), the Sayent iegion; anu to Ras Abata the seven
tiibes of Wallo, Negus Nika'el's foimei goveinoiate.

When Leuj Iyasu heaiu of the appointments anu uismissals that hau been maue,
he huiiieu uown fiom Naguala anu maicheu to Yajju; as the news ieauieu us
that he hau clasheu with Ras Wale's (youngei) son, Bejazmatch Amaue, uefeating
anu captuiing him, it became cleai to us that hencefoith theie coulu be no peace
oi secuiity unless Leuj Iyasu weie seizeu. We, theiefoie, aiiangeu foi a laige
aimy, unuei the commanu of 0ui Wai Ninistei, Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, to
pioceeu to Wallo, to seaich stienuously foi Leuj Iyasu anu to captuie him.

When Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis ieacheu Wallo, he heaiu that Leuj Iyasu was
collecting an aimy while ioaming the countiy heie anu theie; he then took the
city of Bessie anu began waiting foi Leuj Iyasu theie. The piincipal commanueis
with Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis weie Ras Abata anu Ras Kassa; anu with them
weie Bejazmatch Kabbaua Tasamma anu Bejazmatch Bayla Naiyam Lamma as
well as Bejazmatch Nakuiiya uaimame anu othei militaiy commanueis.

Aftei Leuj Iyasu hau collecteu a sizable aimy, he appointeu his fathei's aimy
commanueis, i.e. Ras Yemai as commanuei in chief anu Fitawiaii Seiah Bezu as
ueputy commanuei. 0n 21st Nahase 19u9 (= 27th August 1917), eaily in the
moining, he launcheu an attack, joineu battle, anu fieice fighting took place.
Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis, without leaving his walleu emplacement, iesisteu
vigoiously anu emeigeu victoiious, while Ras Yemai was captuieu. But Fitawiaii
Seiah Bezu uieu in the battle. When Leuj Iyasu heaiu of the captuie of Ras Yemai
anu of the ueath of Seiah Bezu, he escapeu galloping off on his hoise quite alone
anu maue foi the countiysiue. The news of the victoiy was tiansmitteu by wiie
the same uay, anu theie was gieat iejoicing at Auuis Ababa. But since in this
woilu joy anu sauness aie mixeu, Ras Abata, who hau been ill foi some time, iose
on the uay of the battle, iefusing to stay in beu in his tent, anu spent the uay
fighting; as a consequence his illness became woise, anu on 6th Teqemt 191u (=
16th 0ctobei 1917) he uieu. When the ueath announcement ieacheu us theie
was gieat mouining. We aiiangeu foi his bouy to be taken to Babia Libanos,
went uown theie 0uiselves anu hau him buiieu with high honouis. As a
memoiial We causeu his swoiu to be buiieu with his bouy.

Chaptei 9 - About the uismissal of ministeis anu the outbieak of an influenza
epiuemic

AB00T ten yeais hau elapseu since ministeis weie (fiist) appointeu. In any
event, since the people as a whole weie veiy incenseu about the ministeis'
negligence to caiiy on equitably the business of goveinment anu about the
giauual ueteiioiation of eveiy aspect of the woik, they iose up in league with
each othei anu inuicateu that the ministeis shoulu be changeu foi the goou of the
people. But as it hau not hitheito been customaiy foi the authoiity of the people
to inteivene in the appointment anu uismissal of ministeis, We aigueu on theii
behalf to the best of 0ui ability by iefusing to uismiss them. In thinking to calm
matteis, We aiiangeu foi the ministeis to uepait foi the time being. 0ntil new
ministeis coulu be selecteu anu appointeu, the entiie woik hau to be caiiieu out
on 0ui iesponsibility alone, anu this causeu gieat fatigue to 0s.

Aftei this, fiom the 1st Beuai to the Suth (= 1uth Novembei-9th Becembei),
theie bioke out at Auuis Ababa anu in all the othei piovinces of Ethiopia an
influenza epiuemic, anu in the city of Auuis Ababa alone moie than 1u,uuu
people uieu. But I, aftei I hau fallen giavely ill, was spaieu fiom ueath by uou's
goouness.

The gieat wai that hau iageu in Euiope came to an enu in this yeai, anu the
ueimans anu the Tuiks weie uefeateu by Fiance, Englanu, Italy, anu by the othei
allieu goveinments. Leuj Iyasu hau not at that time peimitteu us to help even by
supplying piovisions to oui neighbouis; anu, although we hau stoou apait, the
victois weie oui neighbouis anu we, theiefoie, ueciueu to senu envoys to them
to congiatulate them, auuing some money foi the aiu of the wounueu. The
following weie selecteu foi this task:

To the Fiench goveinment: Bejazmatch Walua uabi'el Bashah as piincipal, anu
incluueu in his uelegation weie Bejazmatch Shebashi Bayan anu Nagauias
Zawga.

To Englanu anu the 0niteu States: Bejazmatch Nauaw as piincipal, anu incluueu
in his uelegation weie Ato Beiuy Walua Sellasse anu Kantiba uabiu.

To the Italian goveinment: Bejazmatch uetatchaw Abata as piincipal, anu
incluueu in his uelegation weie Fitawiaii Nangasha Webe anu Azaj Bagafe.

They uepaiteu fiom Auuis Ababa in Apiil-Nay (1919) anu ietuineu when they
hau concluueu the business foi which they hau been sent.

Chaptei 1u - About Leuj Iyasu's aiiest in Tigie

LEB} IYAS0, having fought at Bessie with oui Wai Ninistei, Fitawiaii Babta
uiyoigis, anu having been uefeateu, hau escapeu into the Aussa ueseit; when he
hau stayeu theie foi about two yeaiswanueiing to anu fiohe emeigeu fiom
the ueseit anu was iumouieu to have gone to a place calleu Qebsya.

The goveinoi of Tigie, Ras Seyum, hau foi a time tiieu to make peace with him
(Leuj Iyasu). But as it was extiemely uifficult to say: 'uive up the notion of
kingship anu ciown, anu let someone else take them!', he abanuoneu
ieconciliation anu maue him leave his goveinoiate. Theieupon he went away
fiom Ras Seyum's uomain anu enteieu that of Ras uugsa Aiaya. When We heaiu
of this, We tiansmitteu oiueis to Ras uugsa that he shoulu seaich foi him anu
captuie him.

Ras uugsa inuicateu as follows: 'I wish to unueitake the seaich, but as Leuj Iyasu
hau seciet conveisations with Ras Seyum, I am afiaiu the lattei might come anu
snatch him away; theiefoie, let some men come to me as his guaius.' We
theiefoie sent to Tigie, foi the aiiest of Leuj Iyasu, Leuj (latei Ras) Basta
Bamtaw as inteinal (peisonal) guaiu, anu Bejazmatch uetatchaw anu
Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse, Fitawiaii Waqe, Bejatch Wassane Teife, anu Bejatch
Walua Sellasse, so that they shoulu act, togethei with Ras uugsa, as exteinal
guaius.

We weie at Bessie, having tiavelleu theie uepaiting fiom Auuis Ababa on the
Thuisuay aftei Eastei, 27th Niyazya 191S (= Sth Nay 1921), in oiuei to listen on
all siues. The goveinoi of uojjam, Ras Baylu, was summoneu anu we met as he
enteieu Bessie in battle oiuei. When Ras uugsa infoimeu 0s of the aiiest of Leuj
Iyasu aftei a successful seaich, We oiueieu him to come to Bessie at once with
the captive, anu he biought him along anu hanueu him ovei.

Ras Seyum was also summoneu, anu We took away fiom him the goveinoiship of
Auwa as a punishment foi senuing off Leuj Iyasu without aiiesting him anu gave
the goveinoiship to Bejazmatch uabia Sellasse. To Ras uugsa We gave an
auuitional goveinoiship, on top of his pievious one, foi captuiing anu biinging in
Leuj Iyasu. We maue a numbei of aujustments in piomotions anu uemotions anu
gave leave to Ras Baylu to ietuin to uojjam. We went back to Auuis Ababa anu
got theie on 12th Bamle (= 19 }uly 1921). We uespatcheu Leuj Iyasu to Sallale, to
Fitche, anu aiiangeu that he shoulu iesiue theie guaiueu by 0ui faithful Ras
Kassa.

As Leuj Iyasu hau iemaineu at libeity foi about foui yeais since his ueposition in
19u9 (= 1916), some iuleis hau not ceaseu causing tiouble. But following Leuj
Iyasu's aiiest theie hau been gieat benefit to the countiy in the piogiessive
spieau of peace anu secuiity.

Chaptei 11 - About men who weie an obstacle to the woik of goveinment by
coming between Queen Zawuitu anu myself

TBERE hau existeu between Queen Zawuitu anu my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, a
fiienuship of mutual confiuence anu consiueiation, ovei anu above theii
ielationship; anu seeing me with my fathei's eye, she showeu foi me almost a
mothei's iegaiu. Noieovei, Leuj Iyasu hau uone us some soit of injustice
intenuing to sauuen anu to offenu both of us. Be hau foicibly evicteu Queen
Zawuitu, lest she shoulu uwell in hei fathei's capital, Auuis Ababa, anu sent hei
to Falle to stay theie like a piisonei. Lest I shoulu live in my fathei's city of Baiai
oi in the capital, Auuis Ababa, he hau oiueieu me, by thieat of foice, to go to
Kaffa, pietenuing it was by way of an appointment. But as uou in his goouness
hau causeu Leuj Iyasu to be ueposeu anu us to be chosen, Queen Zawuitu to
Ethiopia's ciown anu thione anu me as Ethiopia's Ciown Piince anu Regent
Plenipotentiaiy, we maivelleu at this anu liveu in amity anu concoiu.

Pievious to that, on 17th Naskaiam 19u9 (= 27th Septembei 1916), the officeis
with the tioops, the Aichbishop anu the Etchage with the piiests, being
assembleu togethei anu pioffeiing auvice, while choosing the Queen foi ciown
anu thione anu me foi the succession to the thione anu the iegency
plenipotentiaiy, hau uefineu foi us the following allocation of uuties foi oui
establishment anu oui woik:

(1) That the Queen shoulu take the honoui of Ciown anu Thione anu be
calleu Queen of Queens;

(2) That I, being calleu Ciown Piince of Ethiopia, shoulu beyonu that take the
iegency plenipotentiaiy anu caiiy out in full all the woik of goveinment;

(S) That I, selecting the officeis of the aimy, shoulu appoint anu uismiss
them;

(4) That I, sitting in Couit, shoulu juuge all the civil anu ciiminal appeals
which the juuges hau hanueu uown in the fiist instance;

(S) That I shoulu concluue by negotiations any matteis whatsoevei
conceining ielations with foieign goveinments.

Aftei we hau caiiieu on, foi about a yeai, unueitaking in accoiu the woik that
hau been assigneu anu given to us, some men who weie seeking theii own piofit
alone came between us anu set about attempting to uestioy oui unity anu to
estiange us fiom each othei. What they tolu the Queen as piincipal pioof of theii
contention was that, if appointments anu uismissals anu all the othei aspects of
goveinment iemaineu in the hanus of the Ciown Piince, theie woulu be no-one
who woulu feai anu iespect the Queen, foi it was necessaiy that the authoiity of
the Queen shoulu entei in the appointment of aimy officeis anu ministeis, in the
balancing of piovincial goveinoiships anu the establishment of heieuitaiy lanu-
iights, in the allocation of money anu in all similai matteis. They sought to
establish that juuicial uecisions which those who acteu as juuges hau hanueu
uown shoulu not, aftei they hau come befoie me on appeal, be upset against
them; they, theiefoie, tolu the Queen that it woulu be goou if she sat in Couit,
pietenuing that it was foi the sake of the Queen's honoui. The object of all this
was to see that olu habits shoulu not be changeu anu euucation not be
uevelopeu.

Apait fiom this, eveiything I was uoing I intenueu to be foi the uignity of the
iealm anu foi the piospeiity anu welfaie of the peopleyet they weie talking to
the Queen by inteipieting all this in a bau way anu by uissimulating to hei.

Foi example:

(1) When I gianteu a contiact to a Fiench company calleu Bayaiu, thinking
that it woulu be of gieat auvantage to goveinment anu people if the mineials
existing in Ethiopia weie extiacteu by it fiom wheie they lie buiieu, they spieau
the iumoui as if we hau by this inflicteu uamage upon oui countiy;

(2) If aeioplanes weie intiouuceu into oui countiy, then it might be with the
object of scaiing off anu fiightening some iuleis who weie uistuibing the
countiy's secuiity. When, theiefoie, I aiiangeu foi an aeioplane to aiiive that
hau been puichaseu fiom Fiance with the intention that it shoulu expeuite the
tuin-iounu of postal seivices anu tianspoit of people in each piovince, they
spieau it about that this was to uestioy by 'plane the entiie

Queen's paity anu to uepiive hei by foice of ciown anu thione. Noieovei, I
encounteieu gieat tiouble in setting fiee the slaves.

As to these men who weie speaking to the Queen unuei false pietences anu
coming between us, at times she woulu follow theii counsel without examining
its uselessness to the goveinment yet useful to themselves; hence I hau gieat
tiouble in caiiying out the woik of goveinment accoiuing to my plans.
Neveitheless, some gieat noblemen, notably Ras Kassa, woulu speak to the
Queen, as they weie sauueneu at the woik of goveinment being fiustiateu by the
fiauuulent auvice of a few men anu at oui iemaining behinu in civilization; they
convinceu hei of the usefulness foi us in caiiying out the woik of goveinment
accoiuing to the assignment we hau been given when the Queen anu I weie fiist
chosen; she theiefoie uisiegaiueu most of the auvice tenueieu to hei by otheis.


Chaptei 12 - About the impiovement, by oiuinance anu pioclamation, of inteinal
auministiation anu about the effoits to allow foieign civilization to entei
Ethiopia

EvER since the 17th Naskaiam 19u9 (= 27th Sept. 1916), when I became Ciown
Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy, until now in 1928 (= 19SS), when
this gieat uangei came upon us by the violent activity which Italy unleasheu
against us, We uiu not cease to stiuggle, to the utmost extent possible, foi
eveiything that appeaieu to 0s to ienuei honoui to the goveinment anu
piospeiity to the people. Although We appointeu ministeis foi all the woik,
theie was yet a gieat ueal of thought anu effoit iequiieu of 0s, since the ultimate
iesponsibility was 0uis.

Noieovei, accoiuing to the custom of Ethiopian kings which has suiviveu fiom
antiquity, We sat in couit two uays in eveiy week, Weunesuay anu Fiiuay, as it
was a piincipal aspect of 0ui woik to aujuuicate cases on appeal; thus We hau no
time foi iespite.

Apait fiom the minoi choies which We caiiieu out uaily anu apait fiom what We
have foigotten because of the lapse of time, the following is some of the majoi
woik which We now iemembei:

(1) Piioi to 19u9 (= 1916) ministeis hau been appointeu foi all the woik of
goveinment. But no piopei allocation of uuties in wiiting hau been given to them
foi all theii woik; anu as they uiu not have auequate office accommouation, it
was in theii piivate houses that they fiequently caiiieu on theii ministeiial
business. But fiom 191S (= 192u) onwaius the opeiations of goveinment weie
giauually stiaighteneu out as we impoiteu fiom Euiope iegulations anu books
which weie suitable foi all theii woik anu as we aiiangeu foi offices to be built
foi each of the ministeis anu pioviueu them with some foieign auviseis whom
We assigneu to theii ministeiial activities.

(2) The entiie situation in the couits uiu not woik out equitably; but fiom
1914 (= 1921) onwaius We pioviueu each couit with wiitten iegulations anu
iefeience books, anu consequently things giauually impioveu veiy much.
Noieovei, by viitue of 0ui causing to stop the cutting off of hanus anu feet,
which hau been laiu uown in the Fetha Nagast anu hau been customaiy foi a veiy
long time, anu of similai ciuel punishments, 0ui whole people weie veiy
pleaseu.

(S) The custom as iegaius punishment which hau peisisteu since ancient
times was that, if a man hau committeu a ciiminal act, the juuge hau the powei to
uo as he pleaseu: if the punishment was in teims of money he coulu ueciease oi
inciease the fine; if it was in teims of impiisonment he coulu shoiten oi lengthen
the peiiou of impiisonment, but theie was no fixeu punishment eithei in teims
of fines oi impiisonment. Thus, if the juuge thought to benefit his fiienu by his
juugment oi to injuie his enemy theie was no law that woulu pievent him fiom
uoing so; consequently, if two men weie caught having committeu the same
ciime, the juuge was able, if he so uesiieu, to punish one anu to let off the othei
without punishment.

But since 192S (= 19Su) We hau establisheu a ciiminal coue which pioviueu
that, eveiy act that was ciiminal having been laiu uown in uetail, whoevei hau
committeu a ceitain ciime woulu pay such anu such a fine oi be impiisoneu foi
such anu such a peiiou; consequently, We saw to it that aiiest anu ielease
accoiuing to the juuge's whims ceaseu, i.e. that he coulu no longei benefit his
fiienu anu injuie his enemy oi impose fines as he pleaseu. }ustice now took a
ioau that hau honoui.

Again, aftei a muiueiei hau been conuemneu to ueath, eithei by confessing to
the muiuei oi by witnesses testifying against him, he useu to be hanueu ovei to
the avengei (i.e. the victim's closest ielative) who woulu, in fiont of the
assembleu people, kill him in any mannei he wisheu, by batteiing him as he
pleaseu anu by incieasing his anguish.

But now We have set up a special place wheie a muiueiei is to uie anu have
aiiangeu that the goveinment executionei alone, without anyone seeing it,
shoulu kill him painlessly with a iifle that possesses a special aim.

(4) With a view to having uisputes settleu in an impioveu mannei when
natives anu foieigneis weie engageu in litigation, We causeu, fiom 191S (=
192u) onwaius, special couits to be establisheu anu appointeu juuges expeit in
the law. As We assigneu to the juuges foieign auviseis knowleugeable in law anu
justice, the auministiation of justice gieatly impioveu. The auvisei appointeu foi
this task was a native of Switzeilanu, N. Aubeison. This giave accoiu affecting
the honoui of the countiy hau been containeu in the tieaty which the Fiench
envoy, N. Klobukowski, hau maue with Empeioi Nenelik in 19uu (= 19u7-8).

(S) As theie uiu not exist in Ethiopia anything like an auequate piinting piess
foi books, all books hau to be wiitten by hanu; consequently, all the people hau
gieat uifficulty in finuing anu in ieauing books. The ieason was that it was not
possible to make available to eveiybouy books wiitten by hanu because the piice
was veiy high.

Fiom 1914 (= 1921-2) onwaius We puichaseu fiom oui piivate money two book
piinting piesses, anu many books in ue'ez anu in Amhaiic (with inteipietation)
weie piinteu; the entiie people, theiefoie, ueiiveu much benefit fiom ieauing
what they coulu buy at a low piice. A weekly papei calleu 'Light anu Peace' anu a
monthly papei calleu 'Revealei of the Light' weie being piinteu by these piesses.
We gave the income of the piinting houses as enuowment to the Bet Sayua
Bospital.

We uesiieu othei piinting piesses to be establisheu with goveinment money,
anu when it was hanueu ovei to the Naiha Tebab Piess, many books anu
stationeiy foi the woik of each ministiy as well as all similai matteis weie
piinteu theie. The weekly papei calleu 'Aymeio' was also piinteu at this piess.

(6) Piioi to 191S (1922) theie weie no iegulations as iegaius loans; anyone
who possesseu money might lenu it at an inteiest iate of 2u% to Su%, anu when
the uebtoi uiu not have the money to pay, he woulu be aiiaigneu befoie a juuge
anu woulu be hanueu ovei to the lenuei anu be impiisoneu until he paiu his
uebt.

But fiom 191S (= 1922S) onwaius We oiueieu that the inteiest iate shoulu be
9% anu that anyone who accepteu inteiest above that shoulu pay a fine. If it
tuineu out that the boiiowei uiu not have the money to pay anu aftei it hau been
asceitaineu that he uiu not have cattle oi heieuitaiy lanu that coulu be solu by
auction, We foibaue by ueciee of 1916 (= 192S) that he be hanueu ovei to the
lenuei.

(7) At Auuis Ababa anu in the othei piincipal cities lighting in each house was
by gas oi tallow oi wax canule, but theie was no electiic light.

The seivice, which hau staiteu to some extent in 19u9 (= 1916-17), hau by 191S
(= 1922-2S) piouuceu excellent electiic light in the Palace anu in the offices of
ministeis, in the houses of the nobility anu along the siues of the gieat Ras
Nakonnen Avenue, in the majoi chuiches, anu in the cities of Baiai anu Biie
Bawa, anu in the goveinment builuings of Bessie anu Babia Naiqos.

(8) Pieviously the sons of foieign kings anu piinces useu not to come to
Ethiopia.

But since 1916 (= 192S-4), because We hau uiiecteu that foieign civilization
shoulu entei the countiy, the sons of foieign ioyalty anu piinces woulu come to
Ethiopia foi a visit. Chief among these weie the Buke of uloucestei, son of the
English king, B.N. ueoige v, the Sweuish Ciown Piince uustaf Auolph, the uncle
of the Italian king, B.N. victoi Emmanuel, the Buke of Abiuzzi, the Savoy Piince
ua 0uine.

(9) Piioi to 191S (= 1922), apait fiom one motoi cai, theie weie haiuly any
numbeis of cais anu loiiies in Ethiopia. Anu since, fiom the Empeioi
uownwaius, it was by hoise oi by mule that the nobles as well as the people
pioceeueu, anu as the tianspoit of goous anu similai things was caiiieu on
beasts of buiuen, it took a long time to ieach a planneu uestination.

But since 191S (= 1922) We hau seen to it that many cais, motoi-cycles, bicycles,
anu loiiies weie impoiteu; consequently, opeiations of all kinus weie giauually
acceleiateu.

(1u) 0p to 191S (= 1922) the Stai of Solomon anu of Ethiopia weie the only
two kinus of meuals. But now We causeu a golu chain to be maue foi the
Solomon oiuei anu it was to be awaiueu to foieign kings who hau the iank
coiiesponuing to that of Empeioi.

We also hau an oiuei with golu chain maue calleu 'The Queen of Shcba 0iuei'
which is awaiueu to the Queen Consoit anu to foieign queens. In auuition to this,
We hau oiueis of veiy high iank maue, calleu The Nenelik II anu the Tiinity
0iuei, as well as a militaiy meual anu aits anu science meuals, in theii vaiious
ianks; many people weie awaiueu these oiueis.

(11) Theie weie few people who coulu speak foieign languages because theie
was only one school, the Nenelik II School, at Auuis Ababa |in which instiuction
in foieign languages was offeieuj.

But since 1917 (= 1924) We establisheu at Auuis Ababa anu the othei majoi
cities schools foi instiuction in foieign languages; in auuition to the schools
which existeu befoie, We gave peimission anu aiu to vaiious missions anu,
consequently, language schools weie openeu in each piovince. Fuitheimoie,
since many boys whom We hau sent abioau hau been piopeily euucateu, many
of them weie now able to woik in the offices of the vaiious ministiies.

(12) As theie was only one hospital, calleu the Nenelik II Bospital, in existence
at Auuis Ababa, it was not sufficient to piotect the health of the entiie
population.

But fiom 191S (= 1922) onwaius We hau many hospitals establisheu at Auuis
Ababa anu the othei majoi cities; We gave peimission anu financial aiu to
vaiious missions anu, as hospitals weie being built, the health of many people
began to be safeguaiueu. Fuitheimoie, We hau aiiangeu to have the Sweuish
physician, N. Bannei, appointeu to the hospital which We hau nameu Bet Sayua
anu which We hau establisheu at Auuis Ababa with 0ui piivate money; the
hospital's name became well known anu wiuely iespecteu.

(1S) In pievious times, all men who weie soluieis weie so only by custom, but
theie was no militaiy school.

But fiom 1911 (= 191819) onwaius We establisheu a militaiy college anu saw
to it that the soluieis shoulu leain the entiie militaiy ciaft at the college. In
auuition to this We set up, unuei the auspices of 0ui son Nakonnen, Buke of
Baiai, a Boy Scouts movement, so that boys shoulu caiiy out theii uuties well.

(14) In the past theie was only a flag with a lion anu the thiee colouis.

But fiom 192u (= 1927-8) onwaius We commanueu that the Empeioi's uaily anu
ceiemonial flag, while unchangeu in the thiee colouis, shoulu uiffei in the uesign
of the lion anu in the golu oinamentation; that the flag of the Queen anu of the
Ciown Piince, of the aimy anu the postal seivices as well as foi ships shoulu be
uistinct in oinamentation anu shape, while unchangeu in the thiee colouis.

(1S) At any time foieign national anthems coulu be heaiu in Ethiopia on a
giamophone, but theie was nothing that might be calleu Ethiopia's national
anthem.

But now, since 192u (= 1927-8), theie has appeaieu a uistinct Ethiopian national
anthem anu maich Tafaii, a militaiy maich; it is to be heaiu at the Palace anu any
othei appiopiiate place, when Ethiopian envoys go abioau anu a ieception oi
banquet is given in theii honoui.

When foieign envoys come to Ethiopia, We aiiange to have theii national
anthem playeu at a ieception oi banquet in theii honoui.

(16) Since 19uu (= 19u7) theie hau been set up at Auuis Ababa the Bank of
Abyssinia unuei the auspices of the National Bank of Egypt, but apait fiom this
one bank theie was no othei. The excess ovei anu above the piofit, stipulateu in
the tieaty when this Bank of Abyssinia was set up, belongeu exclusively to the
company; consequently, the position was veiy uifficult foi the goveinment anu
the people. Theiefoie, in 192u (= 1927-8), We investeu 0ui own piivate money
in shaies anu maue the nobles anu the people shaie-holueis as fai as possible;
We then bought the Bank of Abyssinia, having paiu off its entiie ueficit anu,
consequently, having uesignateu it the Bank of Ethiopia, theie tuineu out to be
gieat auvantage in this move.

(17) Piioi to 192u (= 1927-8) the woiu aeioplane was not veiy well known in
Ethiopia. But fiom 192u (= 1927-8) onwaius, some aeioplanes having been
puichaseu, We biought them to Ethiopia; anu subsequently many uifficulties foi
goveinment anu people weie giauually alleviateu.

(18) Since theie weie no Ethiopian Legations oi Consulates in foieign
countiies, a special envoy hau to be sent foi eveiy mattei conceineu with foieign
goveinments. 0i a foieign iepiesentative, having been specially uelegateu, hau
to uelivei the message.

But since 1921 (19289) We oiueieu legations to be establisheu with
neighbouiing goveinments anu consulates with the fai-off ones; all goveinment
business was, theiefoie, uespatcheu without tiouble.

(19) As the impoit of wai mateiials into Ethiopia hau been piohibiteu, the
numbei of woithless iuleis in each piovince incieaseu.

But since, fiom 192u (== 19278) onwaius, it was peimitteu by tieaty that We
may puichase aims foi the piotection of the countiy; secuiity anu peace weie
establisheu in Ethiopia by viitue oi 0ui uiiections to uestioy these faithless men
by supplying aims to those piotecting the countiy in each uistiict. We cannot
foiget, at the time when it was peimitteu to impoit these wai mateiials into
Ethiopia, the objection of the Italian envoy aiguing that the Ethiopian
uoveinment shoulu not be alloweu wai planes. This pioves that, having
uestioyeu peace, the Italians have been planning anu piepaiing foi a long time to
make wai on Ethiopia.

(2u) As it has been claimeu that it is foibiuuen by law that bishops be
appointeu, chosen fiom among the piiois who aie natives of Ethiopia, Ethiopians
still iemain in the position of not being appointeu.

But since 192u (= 19278) We have emphasizeu the laige numbei of Ethiopia's
piovinces anu the fact that all believeis in Chiist aie not such by innate
uistinctness but by viitue of conuuct; anu because, aftei uiscussions, We hau
succeeueu in making this point, We causeu the appointment to the uignity of
bishop of five piiois chosen fiom among Ethiopian nationals anu assigneu them
to theii uioceses.

(21) Pieviously theie hau not existeu the custom to invite the uespatch of
special envoys fiom foieign goveinments to attenu the coionation of the
Empeioi.

But now that We have seen to it that Ethiopia shoulu piogiess on the path to
evei highei civilization anu that she shoulu stiengthen the ties of fiienuship with
foieign goveinments when, theiefoie, We weie ciowneu Empeioi on 2Siu
Teqemt 192S (= 2nu Nov. 19Su), the iepiesentatives of twelve goveinments
came to Auuis Ababa anu honouieu 0ui coionation. This pioves Ethiopia's
ascent to a highei level uuiing 0ui time.

(22) The Empeioi useu to caiiy out, in accoiuance with his own wishes anu
uiiections, any soit of peaceful anu militaiy opeiations, as well as the
auministiation of the countiy anu anything else like this.

But now, on the 9th of Bamle 192S (= i6thjuly, 19S1), We piomulgateu a
constitution, set up a pailiament, appointeu Senatois anu causeu Beputies to be
selecteu; We appointeu piesiuents foi these anu uiiecteu that all the business of
goveinment shoulu be caiiieu out on the basis of auvice (fiom pailiament).

(2S) The Empeioi oi the nobles useu to ietain a laige aimy-contingent while
moving fiom one piovince to anothei; anu the people weie foiceu to piouuce
piovisions without payment, such as foou, foiage, anu woou.

But since 192S (= 19Su1) We piohibiteu by pioclamation that the peasants be
foiceu to hanu ovei any of theii piopeity, except voluntaiily anu against
payment.

(24) As the numbei of countiy-uistiicts, to which telephone anu telegiaph
communications hau been extenueu, was iathei small, it took a long time to
biing to an enu the uifficulties which the goveinment, tiaue, anu the people
expeiienceu in eveiy

piovince.

Latei on, howevei, because We hau uiiecteu that telephones be extenueu to
eveiy uistiict anu postal communications be establisheu, the uifficulties foi the
goveinment anu the people weie giauually gieatly alleviateu.

(2S) The places at which ciiminals weie being impiisoneu useu not to possess
the cleanliness coiiesponuing to health iequiiements.

But since 192S (= 19S2S) We pioviueu (having built it with 0ui piivate money)
a house that possesseu washing anu clinical facilities, coiiesponuing to health
iequiiements, as well as instiuction in ieauing anu wiiting anu manual woik.
The fetteiing of ciiminals by iion anu chain fixeu at theii feet having ceaseu, We
oiueieu that they be guaiueu by waiueis.

(26) Eveiy man who possesseu lanu, in auuition to the taxes fixeu anu payable
annually, useu to be foiceu to pay auuitional money on vaiious occasions anu to
be liable to foiceu laboui without pay.

But now, apait fiom the taxes fixeu anu payable once a yeai, We piohibiteu, by
iegulation anu pioclamation, anyone to woik foiceu laboui without pay oi to
ienuei any othei excess uues.

(27) Neeuless to say, in Euiope theie existeu wiieless telegiaphy; cleaily
auuible wiieless seivices weie not known in Ethiopia.

But since 1924 (= 19S1) We hau given oiueis foi wiieless telegiaphy to be
establisheu at Auuis Ababa anu othei majoi piovinces; hence eveiy aspect of
goveinment business, of tiaue anu othei matteis was speeuily accomplisheu,
both inlanu anu abioau. In 1928 (19SS6), at the time when we hau to fight
against Italy, the seivice was of gieat benefit.

(28) Piioi to 192u (= 19278) no civil oi militaiy unifoim inuicative of iank
hau been specifieu; hence eveiybouy woie the same kinu of unifoim.

But latei on, as We hau uiiecteu that uistinctions of iank be maue in civil anu
militaiy uiess, the senioiity of iank, civil oi militaiy, coulu be iecognizeu by the
unifoim.

(29) Foi the past hunuieu yeais oi so, if someone was iobbeu of money oi of
othei possessions anu chattels, theie weie menfiom a family ielateu by
uescent oi by maiiiagewho claimeu to be able to finu the thief by giving a
uiink of meuicine to a boy

unuei the age of 1S; these men useu to live, wanueiing about at Auuis Ababa anu
in all othei uistiicts, by seeking thieves, with the peimission of the goveinment,
auministeiing the meuicine, anu ieceiving payment fiom people who hau lost
money. They woulu

claim to have founu the thief if the boy, to whom they auministeieu the meuicine,
went anu enteieu a man's house anu lay on the beu in a tiance, oi seizeu the man
hitting him with his knee (oi foicefully) anu lay upon him. If things weie uone in
this way, the

man was seizeu by foice by this pioceuuie alone, without theie being any
inuications oi witnesses to the theft, anu was unuei an obligation to make
payment to the ownei who hau lost his piopeity. Since ueeus like these weie
being caiiieu out by lies anu fiauu, they weie in a position to hypnotize the
liebashai anu to intiouuce him into the house of an innocent man who hau not
stolen anyone's piopeity oi to aiiest anu oppiess people by causing the boy to
hit someone anu to lie upon him in a tiance. But afteiwaius We gave oiueis foi
the liebasha methou to cease, as We weie convinceu, aftei piopei investigation,
of the fact that it was impossible to finu a thief by auministeiing meuicine, unless
a theft like this hau been subject to an examination by a juuge oi piopei eviuence
oi witnesses. Consequently, theie was gieat iejoicing in eveiy piovince, as We
hau piotecteu the people fiom the iniquities that came upon them in this mattei.

(Su) Although in Ethiopia the Empeioi was supieme, feuual iule hau not
ceaseu.

But fiom 191u (= 191718) onwaius, since We hau become convinceu that the
iule of the lanueu gentiy was uetiimental to goveinment anu people, We
stoppeu the lanueu gentiy in Wallo, uojjam, Bagemeuei, Yajju, Wallaga, anu
}imma anu causeu othei seivants of 0ui goveinment to be selecteu anu to be
appointeu.

(S1) It hau iemaineu customaiy in Ethiopia foi all piovincial goveinois to be
militaiy chiefs, but theie weie no civil iuleis. Theiefoie it was not the custom foi
the whole countiy to be unuei the authoiity of the goveinment anu to allocate
taxes, collecteu by civilian officials, to the aimy anu foi othei goveinment
business, but the goveinois useu to pay the soluieis thiough theii own officeis
anu to give them quaiteis in theii goveinoiate.

As We weie uneasy about abolishing all at once this custom which hau peisisteu
foi a long time, thinking that it might piovoke uistuibances in the countiy, We
aiiangeu to uemonstiate this moue of pioceuuie anu to make it acceptable in
slow stages by placing unuei the authoiity of the (cential) goveinment the
uistiicts of }ijjiga, Tchaitchai, Bale, Wallaga, Sayo, anu }imma; anu We also saw to
it, as an instiuctive example, that the ievenues shoulu be applieu to the
expenuituie on the aimy anu othei goveinment business.

(S2) Because, until about 1u yeais ago, ioaus in the vaiious piovinces hau not
been piopeily maue up, theie was inevitably a gieat ueal of wasteu time anu
money in tiavelling fiom one iegion to anothei.

But foi the past 1u yeais, as We weie convinceu of the benefit of ioaus to
goveinment anu people, We gave oiueis that the ioaus leauing fiom Auuis
Ababa to the east anu west, to the noith anu south, be piopeily maintaineu.
Bence uistiicts that coulu pieviously be ieacheu in ten oi fifteen uays, can now
be ieacheu in two oi thiee uays by cai anu loiiy.

Chaptei 1S - About 0ui piessing foi Ethiopia's entiy into the League of Nations

WBEN the gieat woilu wai was ovei, it was feaieu that a similaily uieauful wai
might bieak out again in futuie; theiefoie, if (a league of nations having been
establisheu) a quaiiel aiose between two goveinmentsthe wilful waging of
wai having ceaseuthe mattei about which the quaiiel occuiieu woulu come
befoie the league. Aftei investigation, juugement woulu be given by the vote of
the league, it having become manifestin accoiuance with the impoitance of the
conflictthat a ceitain goveinment hau given offence, while anothei
goveinment hau been the victim of that offence. 0n 28th Sane 1911 (= 21 }une
1919) 27 goveinments hau ieacheu agieement anu signeu the tieaty, concuiiing
that it was impiopei foi a stiong goveinment wilfully to attack a weak one oi to
impose financial sanctions on it, but that, if a goveinment tiansgiesseu the
wishes of the league, it woulu be the opponent of the entiie assembly anu they
weie all to iise up against it in opposition. The league's piincipal seat was in the
Swiss city of ueneva. Some of the foieigneis at Auuis Ababa, having given 0s
infoimation by way of fiienuship, hau spoken to 0s about the league anu We hau
stuuieu a gieat ueal of the liteiatuie about it; consequently, We conveneu the
gieat nobles anu all 0ui ministeis anu ueliveieu to them the following speech:

It woulu be of gieat benefit if Ethiopia weie to entei the League of Nations. It is
necessaiy, howevei, in futuie to impiove giauually oui entiie machineiy of
goveinment, anu theiefoie We askeu them to let 0s know theii piesent thoughts,
lest we shoulu expeiience uifficulties in the League if we faileu to impiove oui
goveinmental pioceuuies, once we hau enteieu the League. The nobles anu
ministeis ueclaieu unanimously that it was impossible to effect majoi
impiovements within one yeai but that it was theii wish to impiove the entiie
woik of goveinment yeai by yeai in slow stages, anu theiefoie it was iight foi us
to entei the League. Bence the question of oui entiy was ueciueu.

Aftei this We sent to ueneva a uelegation with 0ui lettei, on 1st Nahase 1914 (=
7th Aug. 1922), consisting of Bejazmatch Nauaw as leauei, Ato Beiuy Walua
Sellasse anu Ato Fasika as aiues, with instiuctions that they shoulu sign in 0ui
name as soon as oui entiy into the League hau been gianteu.

As 0ui envoys infoimeu 0s, theie was foi a time a little uifficulty with iegaiu to
the application which the Ethiopian uoveinment hau piesenteu in oiuei to entei
the League of Nations. But latei on the Fiench uelegate, N. ue }ouvenel, anu the
foimei Fiench ministei plenipotentiaiy in Ethiopia, N. Lagaiue, helpeu a gieat
ueal anu, consequently, the Biitish anu Italian uelegates ueclaieu theii goouwill
towaius Ethiopia's entiy into the League. The assembly, theiefoie, gave full
appioval, anu 0ui envoys signeu the accoiu anu ietuineu. Theie was gieat joy at
Auuis Ababa. The iejoicing was foi no ieason othei than that We thought that the
Covenant of the League woulu piotect us fiom the soit of attack which Italy has
now launcheu against us.

Chaptei 14 - About 0ui effoits to fiee the slaves anu the piogiessive
impiovement, yeai by yeai, in the stiuggle foi theii libeiation

IT hau been customaiy in the past in Ethiopia, a pait of Afiica just as it hau
been in Asia, Euiope, anu Ameiicato sell anu to buy slaves. Neveitheless, the
numbei of those who aiiiveu by way of sale anu puichase was small, foi the
majoiity of slaves came thiough captuie in wai. The ieason is that in Ethiopia,
fiom the 1Sth to the 18th centuiy, the powei of Nuslims anu pagans hau
pievaileu against hei, giauually anu little by little, while many of hei piovinces
iebelleu against the ieign of the Empeioi, establishing theii own nobility anu
looting the countiy. But latei on the kings befoie 0s, anu in paiticulai Empeioi
Nenelik, conqueieu these piovinces in battle to iestoie them as of olu to the
unity of Ethiopia; anu as foi all those who hau come by way of captuie in wai, it
hau been the custom that they shoulu live in slaveiy to theii captoiin
accoiuance with ancient usage. Neveitheless, those who hau come as piisoneis
of wai weie scaicely uistinguishable in appeaiance (except foi a few) fiom othei
Ethiopians, anu theiefoie it is veiy uifficult to iuentify them as slaves. Thus the
slaveiy of some was in name only, but in theii moue of living they weie not much
uiffeient fiom theii captois. They weie able to puichase anu to sell iest
(heieuitaiy lanu owneiship) oi, like othei people, to have iest iights establisheu
by the goveinment, to attain officei's oi ministeiial iank in goveinment seivice,
oi in the seivice of the Chuich the iank of ueacon, piiest, monk, oi piioiship of a
monastic oiuei oi the ueanship of a catheuial.

As they weie inuistinguishable in appeaiance anu moue of life, they coulu even
be maiiieu to theii captoi oi his son oi his ielations. When theii captoi uieu he
might leave them iest anu money in his will, having tieateu them like his
chiluien.

Again, as is the piactice all ovei the woilu, theie aie many people in each
piovince who aie uoing a uay's woik being taken in seivice foi a wage. Yet, while
the Italians knew all this, they spieau it about that theie weie slaves iathei than
woikeis employeu foi a wage in some iich man's house. They spieau these
iumouis exaggeiating to the point of peijuiy.

The stoiy which pioves this is that of a iich man who was uescenueu fiom a
ualla family anu who liveu in the Baiai iegion. This manby the abunuance of
his goouness anu his consciencesaiu that it was moie useful to give one's
money to one's ielatives than to give it to alien woikeis anu thus collecteu the
chiluien of his biotheis anu sisteis anu ielatives anu employeu them foi wages.

But the Italian Consul at Baiai, without knowing oi examining all this, wiote a
iepoit to his goveinment claiming that such anu such possesseu so many slaves;
as this appeaieu to his goveinment to be tiue, it piefeiieu an inuictment against
us anu piesenteu it to the League of Nations.

Apait fiom the slaves who weie set fiee by the pioclamation anu oiuinance
which We piomulgateu as iegaius the libeiation of slaves, We weie uoing
eveiything possible to set fiee the slaves by seeking seveial othei oppoitunities.
Thus the goveinoi of the Beni Shangul, Sheikh Bojele, tolu 0s that in his countiy
many slaves hau gone fiee by viitue of the pioclamation anu oiuinance;
wheieupon We saiu to him: 'You cannot expect to be piaiseu foi those who aie
set fiee on the basis of the pioclamation anu oiuinance, but if you ielease them
of youi own fiee will, that will biing you cieuit.' As he tolu 0s 'it is with my
peimission that so many slaves go fiee', he sent them subsequently to Auuis
Ababa anu We infoimeu him that We weie aiianging foi them to ieceive
instiuction. When those slaves weie sent to Auuis Ababa, We gave oiueis that
they shoulu ieceive a ceitificate of theii libeiation. They immeuiately enteieu a
militaiy school anu began to stuuy. Nany of them weie selecteu foi musical
euucation, anu N. Anuie Nicot, whom We hau ieciuiteu fiom Switzeilanu, taught
them music. When they hau completeu theii tiaining, We pioviueu them with a
unifoim anu they liveu in clean uwellings which We hau constiucteu foi them.
All the foieign envoys anu consuls at Auuis Ababa knew about 0ui awaiuing to
one of them, who hau excelleu in knowleuge, the iank anu unifoim of a
lieutenant |commanu of 1uuj anu about 0ui uecoiating him with an oiuei; they
also knew that otheis with him hau caiiieu out piopeily theii woik of
musicianship.

Eveiyone who saw anu knew this shanqella who hau ieceiveu the iank of
lieutenant useu to aumiie him, foi his height was 2-1u meteis. Anu now We heai
that in uenbot 1928 (= Nay 19S6), when the Italians enteieu Auuis Ababa, they
captuieu him anu killeu him.

But in view of what We have uone foi the emancipation of the slaves anu foi
civilizing them thiough euucation, it is amazing that the Italians shoulu make
iepiesentations to the League of Nations to the effect that Sheikh Bojele hau sent
to the Empeioi a special tiibute of slaves!

As We have shown above, this slaveiy pioblem is iecognizeu in the heaits of men
as something that is not pieoiuaineu by natuie in teims of mastei anu slave but
hau yet iemaineu fiimly establisheu by custom; consequently, Empeiois
Theouoie (Tewouios), Yohannes, anu Nenelik, who ieigneu in Ethiopia fiom
184S8 to 19u6 (= 18S2S to 191S), hau piomulgateu ueciees against the sale
anu puichase of slaves in Ethiopia. But because at that time it was not customaiy
to set up special offices foi woik of this kinu, theii intention iemaineu
unaccomplisheu, as it was impossible to obseive anu enfoice the ueciee on
account of the vastness of the countiy.

But now, since We accepteu iesponsibility foi the affaiis of goveinment as
Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the Ethiopian iealm, We followeu on the founuations
laiu, as iegaius the libeiation of slaves, by the thiee kings whose names have
been mentioneu above anu let it be known by pioclamation, on 22 Nagabit 1916
(=S1 Naich 1924), that in Ethiopia slaves weie no longei to be solu oi
puichaseu. We piomoteu an oiuinance by which people weie to be punisheu,
who in futuie weie founu to be selling oi puichasing slaves, anu by which slaves
weie to go fiee who hau come by way of puichase oi captuie piioi to the
pioclamation. At Auuis Ababa anu in othei iegions offices anu couits weie set up
by which the pioclamation anu oiuinance weie to be enfoiceu, anu foi this woik
We ieciuiteu an auvisei fiom Englanu, Ni. ue Balpeit; as juuges anu secietaiies
weie appointeu anu the entiie woik of auministiation piogiessively impioveu
veiy gieatly, many slaves weie set fiee. Theii numbei was above one hunuieu
thousanu. The numbei of those set fiee each yeai is to be founu in the iegistei of
the League of Nations at ueneva.

Again, when in 192S (= 19S1) a uelegation, sent by the Biitish Anti-Slaveiy
Society, came to Auuis Ababa, We infoimeu them oially anu in wiiting, aftei a
gieat ueal of uiscussion, that We shall see to it that within fifteen oi, at most,
twenty yeais fiom now all slaves woulu go fiee anu that slaveiy woulu be totally
eliminateu fiom Ethiopia. But in any countiy a few offenueis must always be
expecteu, anu if some men aie founu tiansgiessing the pioclamation that has
been piomulgateu, all the foieign envoys know that We have punisheu them
even with the ueath penalty. Theiefoie, 0ui conscience uoes not iebuke 0s, foi
We have uone unceasingly eveiything possible as iegaius the libeiation of the
slaves.

Chaptei 1S - About the honoui of invitations extenueu to 0s to visit Euiope

ETBI0PIA is a iealm which has liveu steaufast in hei inuepenuence foi moie
than thiee millennia. But in the eaily sixteenth centuiy Ahmau uian emeigeu
fiom the east of Ethiopia, fiom Zeila, penetiateu into cential Ethiopia, anu fought
with Empeioi Lebna Bengel; the lattei stiuggleu ietieating towaius noithein
Ethiopia, while uian set fiie to all the palaces anu chuiches; apait fiom a few
books which hau iemaineu hiuuen in caves anu islanus, he buint the majoiity of
woiks of histoiy anu cultuie.

Neveitheless, if anyone seeks to know Ethiopia's antiquity, theie exist many
books which uiscuss Ethiopian histoiy wiitten in uieek, Latin, Poituguese, anu
Aiabic, anu by ieauing these he will be able to infoim himself of hei gieat age. It
is a fact that many people hau come to Ethiopia, befoie the biith of oui Loiu,
fiom }eiusalem, uieece, Aiabia, anu Egypt. Aftei the biith of oui Loiu, fiom the
fifteenth centuiy to the eighteenth, visits by some foieigneis to Ethiopia weie
faiily continuous.

It is only in this 19th centuiy that the Italians have begun to cast theii eyes upon
Ethiopia.

Theie aie many who went abioau on the pait of the Ethiopian cleigy. 0n the pait
of the goveinment, howevei, my fathei B.B. Ras Nakonnen hau gone to Italy in
1881 (= 18889) anu to Englanu uuiing the ieign of B.N. King Euwaiu vII in
1894 (= 19u2). In the same yeai he hau visiteu Fiance en ioute. 0thei leaueis
hau gone on missions to ueimany, Russia, Fiance, anu Tuikey.

Since foi this ieason Ethiopia hau become known thioughout Euiope anu since
Empeioi Nenelik hau concluueu tieaties of fiienuship anu commeice with
vaiious goveinments, the countiies mentioneu above hau begun to establish
consulates anu legations at Auuis Ababa on account of the many foieign tiaueis
anu tiavelleis aiiiving in Ethiopia.

Latei, in 19u9 (= 1916), when Queen Zawuitu sat on the thione, she being
without son anu heii, I was chosen, by the will of uou anu by the wish of the
people, as Ciown Piince anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the Ethiopian iealm; anu,
consequently, I gave full expiession to the uesiie that the fiienuship with
Euiopean goveinments, begun in Empeioi Nenelik's time, be piogiessively
wiueneu anu stiengtheneu to the utmost. Because the Euiopean goveinments
hau heaiu fiom theii envoys at Auuis Ababa anu hau become convinceu of the
fact that this my uesiie was ieal anu tiue, they extenueu to 0s the honoui of an
invitation to come to theii iespective countiies to see the piospeiity of theii
countiy, the goou foitune anu iiches of theii people, the beauty of theii cities,
anu the wisuom anu knowleuge of theii scholais. The fiist invitation was fiom
the Piesiuent of the Fiench Council of Ninisteis, N. Poincaie; this was followeu
by invitations fiom the King of the Belgians, B.N. Albeit, fiom the Italian king,
B.N. victoi Emmanuel, fiom the King of Englanu anu Empeioi of Inuia, B.N.
ueoige v, fiom the King of Egypt, B.N. Fuau I, fiom the Piesiuent of the uieek
Republic, Aumiial Conuou-iiotes, anu fiom the Buchess Chailotte of
Luxembouig.

As We have shown above, some nobles hau gone to Euiope on vaiious missions,
yet it was not customaiy foi the Ciown Piince anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the
Realm to go abioau; anu, theiefoie, this uistinguisheu invitation which the
Euiopean goveinments hau extenueu to 0s was a stiange thing foi all the
piinces anu nobles anu the aimy; they hau thus gieat uifficulty ovei this mattei.
When We heaiu this, We gave instiuctions to have the piinces anu nobles
conveneu in a gieat assembly. In the enu, they all accepteu the mattei with
pleasuie, because We hau convinceu them that, by 0ui planning to go on
extenuing oui fiienuship with the goveinments of Euiope, We weie causing
people to meet in tiaue anu in woik anu getting to know each othei as a sign of
fiienuship; that foi this main puipose kings anu piinces weie being biought
closei togethei in mutual uiiect uiscussions anu that this woulu inuuce them to
come anu visit oui countiy.

Aftei the question of 0ui jouiney hau come befoie the assembly anu hau been
ueciueu, We gave oiueis that eveiything necessaiy foi 0ui tiavel be piepaieu.
We gave instiuctions that, while 0ui Wai Ninistei, Fitawiaii Babta uiyoigis,
caiiieu the piincipal iesponsibility foi the affaiis of the goveinment, each
ministei was to be iesponsible foi the woik of his uepaitment anu that all of
them shoulu iepoit to B.N. Queen Zawuitu on eveiything they hau uone.

I hau the hope anu conviction that my jouiney to Euiope woulu give me thiee
benefits: (1) to see with my own eyes Euiopean civilization anu the beauty of the
cities of Paiis, Lonuon, Rome, Biussels, Athens, anu Caiio about which I hau ieau
in books, fiist at school anu latei on in office; (2) when ietuining to my countiy
aftei my visit to Euiope, I thought it woulu be possible to initiate some aspects of
civilization I hau obseiveu with my own eyes, although it woulu be impossible to
caiiy this out all at once anu in full; (S) to finu a sea-poit; piioi to 0ui jouiney
We hau ieceiveu some encouiagement fiom Fiance anu Italy as iegaius access to
the sea.

Afteiwaius, on Thuisuay, 8th Niyazya 1916 (= 16th Apiil 1924), We set out fiom
Auuis Ababa anu went uown to }ibuti. Beie aie the names of the piinces anu
nobles to whom it hau been gianteu to accompany 0s: Ras Baylu Takla
Baymanot, Ras Seyum Nangasha, Bejazmatch Nauaw Abba Wallo, Bejazmatch
uassasa Walua Banna, Bejazmatch uabia Sellasse Baiya uabei, Bejazmatch
Nullugeta Yegazu, Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse Abaynah, Ligaba Wauaje Webe,
Blatta Beiuy Walua Sellasse, Leuj Nakonnen Enualkatchaw, Bejazmatch Wanu
Bawassan Kassa, Ato Sahle Tsaualu.

When We ieacheu }ibuti, the goveinoi N. }ulien ieceiveu 0s with honoui, anu
aftei that, on 12th Niyazya (= 2uth Apiil), We embaikeu on the Nessageiies
Naiitimes Company's boat 'Poithos' anu tiavelleu to the Suez Canal.

As we ieacheu the Suez Canal, an envoy of B.N. King Fuau aiiiveu anu
tiansmitteu to 0s the King's gieetings. The Patiiaich Abuna Qeiillos sent Abuna
Yohannes, who became Patiiaich latei on, anu gave 0s his blessing.

When We ieacheu Kantaia, We tiavelleu to }eiusalem on the special tiain which
B.N. King Fuau hau aiiangeu foi 0s. At }eiusalem the Biitish Bigh Commissionei,
Sii Beibeit Samuel, anu the bishops of the vaiious chuiches came to the iailway
station anu uiu 0s the honoui of welcoming 0s.

As by the chance of goou foitune the festival of the Resuiiection (Eastei) was
appioaching, We thankeu uou foi gianting 0s to see the light of the Eastei
festival. Afteiwaius, as We touieu }eiusalem anu its uistiicts, We visiteu anu
kisseu all the holy places, incluuing Bethlehem wheie oui Loiu was boin,
Nazaieth wheie he giew up, the }oiuan in which he was baptizeu, Cana of ualilee
wheie he uiu miiacles, the Sea of Tibeiias wheie he taught, anu the neighbouiing
Capeinaum, Beth-Saiua, Naguala, as well as Bebion wheie Abiaham, Isaac, anu
}acob aie buiieu. Although a beginning hau been maue in uiscussing the affaiis of
oui sanctuaiy at }eiusalem with oui Coptic fatheis in faith, the mattei hau
iemaineu uniesolveu, anu theiefoie We infoimeu the Coptic Aichbishop at
}eiusalem, Abuna Timotewos, in wiiting that he shoulu peisist ponueiing on 0ui
pioposals, foi We hau suggesteu that we shoulu concluue the mattei, aftei
fiienuly uiscussion, upon 0ui ietuin fiom Euiope. Be wiote to 0s the following
ieply: 'I have alieauy maue known youi intentions to the Coptic community.'

Afteiwaius, as We hau heaiu that the uieeks possesseu an aiea of many
chambeis in uolgotha, We iequesteu the uieek 0ithouox Patiiaich in }eiusalem,
Abuna Bemyanos, thiough the inteimeuiacy of Bi. Zeivos, the uieek Consul
ueneial at Auuis Ababa, that he shoulu give one ioom to the Ethiopian monks as
a patiimony foi the celebiation of holy mass. When he ieplieu that they woulu
give one ioom as patiimony in the Nonasteiy of Abiaham, We saiu that We on
0ui pait woulu assign a benefice to the uieek monasteiy in Ethiopia; aftei
ieaching agieement anu accoiu on the pioposal, We signeu the following wiitten
convention :

'The Ethiopian Ciown Piince anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy, Tafaii Nakonnen, on
one hanu, in the name of the Ethiopian people, anu Patiiaich Bemyanos of
}eiusalem, on the othei, in the name of the uieek 0ithouox Community, have
agieeu anu contiacteu as follows:

Fiist: Bis Beatituue Bemyanos, in his capacity as uieek 0ithouox Patiiaich of
}eiusalem anu all Palestine, on the occasion of the visit of pilgiimage to
}eiusalem of the Ethiopian Ciown Piince anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy, while
uesiious to manifest his gieat goou intentions foi the Ethiopian people anu the
staunch fiienuship which has existeu foi a long time between the Ethiopian
people anu the Boly Chuich in }eiusalem, has assigneu to the Ethiopian people as
outiight patiimony a ioom in the Boly Nonasteiy of Abiaham neai the Chuich of
the Boly Sepulchie. The length of the ioom is 18-7u meties. Its wiuth is 8-9S
meties, anu its height 4-9S meties. The ioom, being the basement unueineath
the uining hall of the Fatheis, has a stiong vaulteu ceiling; its ancient uooi leaus
to the place wheie the Boly Cioss was founu. This ioom has been given foi the
iequiiements of the seivice of the Ethiopian cleigy.

Seconu: This ioom is to be connecteu by a uooi to Beii el-Sultan. It shall be the
uuty of the Ethiopians to have the opening maue. The Patiiaich will extenu his
help so that this uooi be openeu.

Thiiu: The two fiont uoois leauing to Abiaham's Nonasteiy shall be closeu, but
the winuows aie not to be blockeu.

Fouith: It is not peimitteu to sell, to exchange, oi to moitgage this ioom oi to
assign it to any othei puiposes except to the seivice of the cleigy mentioneu
above.

Fifth: Befoie this ioom is ieuecoiateu, it is necessaiy to infoim the Patiiaich. Be
will senu a peison expeit in this kinu of woik.

Sixth: If someone else comes along laying claim to the ioom given to the
Ethiopian community, B.B. the Patiiaich accepts iesponsibility to aigue the case.

As the Ciown Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy, B.B. Tafaii
Nakonnen, uesiies that the fiienuship which exists between the Ethiopian
people anu the Patiiaich be stiengtheneu, he has gianteu peimission that a
iepiesentative of the Patiiaich shoulu peimanently iesiue in Ethiopia, that the
following gift be hanueu ovei anu that the ueeu be insciibeu in the (lanu)
iegistei in the name of the Patiiaich in accoiuance with the custom of the
countiy.

The gift is as follows:

(1) Five gashas of aiable lanu foi the chuich anu iesiuence of the cleigy,
locateu no fuithei fiom Auuis Ababa than a uay's jouiney;

(2) Be will pioviue one gasha of lanu, foi the builuing of the convent anu the
chuich, in the neighbouihoou of Auuis Ababa, in the uullale oi Shola iegions.
These six gashas of lanu, it has been agieeu, aie not to be tiansfeiieu foi
whatevei ieason to a non-oithouox community oi a non-oithouox chuich.

Seventh: The two paities who have maue these mutual gifts have causeu this
convention to be maue out in two equal copies anu have set theii seals anu
signatuies to it. Wiitten in the holy city of }eiusalem on 16th Niyazya 1916 (=
24th Apiil 1924).'

But as it was not uou's will, this tieaty nevei came into foice.

Aftei We hau concluueu 0ui business at }eiusalem, We went to Caiio by tiain on
Niyazya 2Siu (= 1st Nay 1924). At Caiio B.N. King Fuau ieceiveu 0s with
honoui at his palace. 0ui pleasuie was exceeuingly gieat when both of us
expiesseu the wish in oui uiscussions to go on in futuie ueveloping the
fiienuship which hau iemaineu fiim between oui two goveinments since ancient
times.

0n the next uay the Patiiaich, Abuna Qeiillos, infoimeu 0s of his intention to
holu mass anu piayeis in 0ui honoui in the Chuich of St. Naik anu We went to
the chuich. The Patiiaich, suffeiing fiom the weaiiness of olu age, was seateu on
his thione by the altai anu gave 0s his blessing. As the Chuiches of Egypt anu
Ethiopia weie in a ielationship of mothei anu chilu anu because the Patiiaich
hau foi long hau the uesiie anu intention of coming to Ethiopia to see his
chiluien in faith, he spoke at length of his sauness at his continueu inability to
come on account of the uistance, while at the same time ievealing the fulfilment
of his uesiie anu thought at seeing, with his own eyes, 0ui aiiival at Caiio touay.

Afteiwaius, while We weie in the chuich, the Patiiaich enteieu the ieception
hall foi guests at one siueWe having biought him, in oiuei to honoui oui
fathei in faith, a goluen ciown anu goluen cioss, a goluen staff, a silk tunic
embioiueieu with golu, anu a cape. Be was, theiefoie, waiting foi 0s weaiing the
ciown anu cape, holuing the goluen cioss in his iight hanu anu the goluen staff in
his left; he was thinking to please 0s, although because of his gieat age anu
weaiiness he was not ieally capable; as We enteieu the hall fiom the Chuich he
attempteu to ieceive 0s stanuing, but he was not able to uo so. Although We
weie pleaseu in 0ui heait at seeing Bis Boliness in this uignity, We felt much
giief at thinking of his olu age anu weaiiness.

The following aie the sights which We visiteu uuiing 0ui stay at Caiio anu which
have iemaineu memoiable to 0s: the pyiamius anu the Sphinx, the gieat
museum of antiquities, the gieat schools anu hospitals of the goveinment anu of
the Copts, the olu chuiches of eaily times, the antiquities of Luxoi anu the tomb
of Tutankhamun which hau been uiscoveieu at the excavations neai-by, as well
as gieat mosques anu the famous Islamic college calleu Al-Azhai. Subsequently,
when We saw foui stuuents fiom Ethiopia, We weie pleaseu as theii teachei saiu
that they woulu ietuin to Ethiopia within two yeais upon conclusion of theii
stuuies.

Fiom Caiio We went to Alexanuiia anu paiu homage at the tomb of St. Naik; We
then saw the school at which they aie teaching moie than 4,uuu boys anu which
hau been instituteu, neai the Chuich, by Abuna Yohannes, the ueputy Aichbishop
of the See of St. Naik. Aftei this We visiteu victoiia College which hau been built
at a place calleu Ramleh neai Alexanuiia anu wheie some boys fiom Ethiopia
weie stuuying. The heaumastei of the school, Ni. Reeu, was like a fathei
paiticulaily to the boys fiom Ethiopia, anu We hau heaiu of his gentle tieatment
anu of his teaching; anu among the boys theie We met Siiak Beiuy. 0ui heait
was toucheu with joy when We saw them face to face. The son of Ras Nullugeta,
Asiata, anu a boy calleu uabia Nauhen Awwa'qa hau come with 0s in oiuei to
stuuy at this school, anu We hanueu them ovei into the heaumastei's caie anu
tiust.


Chaptei 16 - About 0ui jouiney fiom Alexanuiia to Paiis

0N the fiist of uenbot (= 9th Nay 1924) We embaikeu on a boat calleu
'Coiuilleie', anu when the ship began its jouiney a faiewell salute was fiieu by
cannon.

0n the 6th of uenbot (= 14th Nay), when we hau passeu Coisica anu came within
view of the gieat foitifications at Toulon, a waiship came to ieceive 0s. Fiom
theie until we appioacheu Naiseilles, many aeioplanes weie hoveiing in the aii.
As five waiships passeu on the iight anu left of oui ship, they fiieu theii guns.

As We uisembaikeu fiom the ship, the Piefect of the uistiict of Naiseilles anu the
Nayoi of the city, togethei with many officials, ieceiveu 0s. Among these We
weie veiy pleaseu to see anu to meet N. Lagaiue who, since the uays of my
fathei B.B. Ras Nakonnen, hau been the fiienu of Ethiopia anu 0uiselves anu
hau foimeily been Fiance's Envoy Extiaoiuinaiy anu Ninistei Plenipotentiaiy in
Ethiopia.

Aftei We hau iesteu a little in the Naiseilles goveinment builuings, the officeis of
the waiships came anu took 0s to sea once moie in oiuei to show 0s the
waiships. Thus We saw the stiength of the constiuction anu the size of the guns
anu then ietuineu gieatly impiesseu.

0n the moiiow, 8th uenbot (= 16th Nay), in the evening, We uepaiteu by tiain
foi Paiis; anu when We ieacheu Paiis at 4.Su in the moining (= 1u.Su a.m.), the
new Piesiuent of the Republic, B.E. N. Nilleianu, anu the Piime Ninistei, N.
Poincaie, all the ministeis in full, Naishal Foch anu many othei geneials
ieceiveu 0s with gieat honoui. It was in the Quai u'0isay, in the palace of the
Foieign Ninistiy, that quaiteis hau been piepaieu foi 0s anu, seateu with the
Piesiuent in an automobile, we pioceeueu along the paiaue.

Aftei We hau iesteu a little in the palace, We went on a ietuin visit to the
Piesiuent of the Republic at the Elysee Palace, anu subsequently ietuineu.

The piogiamme hau laiu uown that afteiwaius We shoulu visit the Paiis
Nunicipality (Botel ue ville), anu at the appointeu houi We pioceeueu theie.
When We aiiiveu, We founu assembleu theie the Piesiuent of the Republic anu
all the ministeis, aimy officeis, anu the city's notables. When we enteieu the
gieat hall, the Nayoi (Piesiuent uu Conseil Nunicipal), N. }uillaiu, anu the
Piesiuent of the municipal councillois maue a speech of fiienuship, which gieatly
toucheu 0ui heait, anu they expiesseu to 0s theii pleasuie.

All the amazing things which We saw in Paiis anu its suiiounuings weie veiy
numeious. 0f the many sights We saw uuiing 0ui stay at Paiis, the following aie
the piincipal ones: The tomb of Napoleon (Invaliues), the aiipoit anu an
aeioplane uisplay, a tank paiaue anu movement exeicise, the 0peia, Notie Bame
ue Paiis, the Palace of }ustice, the Nint (this is the place wheie the coins weie
stiuck on which the effigy of Nenelik II appeais), the offices of the Le'gion
u'honneui, the Eiffel Towei, the Palace of veisailles, the Palace of Fontainebleau,
the Rauio assembly hall in St. Elysee(.) |peihaps St. Assisse.j, the aitilleiy
college anu aitilleiy iange.

It was quite impossible to expiess in woius, on account of the abunuance of joy
in 0ui heait, the pleasuie We felt until the official visit enueu, when We weie
heaiing speeches of fiienuship which weie ueliveieu at ieceptions anu banquets,
beginning with the Piesiuent of the Republic, B.E. N. Nilleianu, anu incluuing the
Piime Ninistei, N. Poincaie, anu othei Fiench authoiities, anu also when We
inspecteu the vaiious palaces which We have enumeiateu above.

When 0ui official visit was ovei, We thought of staying on heie in Paiis in oiuei
to have fiienuly uiscussions about some matteis with the Fiench uoveinment
anu with the Fianco-Ethiopian Railway Company; anu, seconuly, as We weie
uesiious to iest heie in Paiis on 0ui ietuin at the conclusion of each of the
official visits to the othei goveinments who hau uone 0s the honoui of an
invitation, We tolu 0ui fiienu, N. Lagaiue, that he shoulu seek anu aiiange foi 0s
a ienteu iest-house. When he let us know of the ieauiness of a house on the
outskiits of Paiis, calleu 'villa Camasteianu', We went theie now at the
conclusion of the official visit anu took up iesiuence. As soon as it was known
that the official uays weie ovei, the Ethiopian boys whom We hau sent to Fiance
foi theii stuuies assembleu anu came to meet 0s. Anuaige Nassai who was
among them maue the following speech of thanks in the name of all of them:

'Youi Bighness! We feel piiue in oui heait when we ieau, anu when we finu it
wiitten by foieign histoiians, that oui Ethiopian foiefatheis in ancient times
excelleu the whole woilu in wisuom anu in stiength, anu that they weie
honouieu anu feaieu as they maue theii powei known as fai as the lanu of Egypt
by establishing theii cities in Neioe anu Napata.

But as it is in the ue'ez language that all oui books in oui countiy weie wiitten
anu as the skill of piinting uiu not exist, it makes us veiy sau that, apait fiom a
few scholais, the people as a whole uo not know the histoiy of the countiy.

But now, thiough Youi goouness anu Youi enueavoui, the whole woilu has been
impiesseu by Youi senuing us abioau foi stuuy, thinking that Ethiopia will be
civilizeu in wisuom anu in knowleuge as of olu anu that she will open hei eyes;
the whole woilu has been impiesseu by Youi founuing of schools at Auuis Ababa
anu in othei piovinces, by Youi establishing a piinting piess anu causing ancient
books, which hau been wiitten in ue'ez, to be tianslateu into Amhaiic anu to be
piinteu, as well as biinging goou foitune to the people.

We, Ethiopia's sons, iemain unceasingly giateful to You because you have maue
us stuuy, helping all those of us in uifficulty, so that we shoulu follow Euiopean
civilization anu shoulu know Ethiopian histoiy.

But now, the uistinguisheu invitation which the Euiopean goveinments have
extenueu to You, anu not to any of the kings of Ethiopia in the past, has come
because they know that unuei Youi excellent guiuance You will cause Ethiopia to
be civilizeu; anu Youi aiiival has maue the name of Ethiopia heaiu all ovei the
woilu.

Ethiopia has the uuty to thank You, foi hei joy is not only foi the piesent moment
but will be lastingly tiansmitteu fiom geneiation to geneiation. Anu we in Paiis
aie convinceu of oui goou foitune in seeing oui thiee-colouieu flag flutteiing
suspenueu on the masts. Theiefoie, the whole Ethiopian people, the ueau ones in
heaven, the living on eaith, aie in uuty bounu to give piaise', he concluueu
speaking at length.

In suppoit anu encouiagement of the speech which hau been ueliveieu, We
ieassuieu them in the following peioiation:

'0ui thought, as We aie helping eveiybouy to the best of oui ability, is not only
foi the few of you heie but foi all the sons of Ethiopia who shoulu have the
oppoitunity of acquiiing euucation anu knowleuge. We piay to uou that Be may
giant you to seive youi countiy Ethiopia by peiseveiing in euucation anu by
acquiiing wiue knowleuge. Foi the futuie, have couiage, foi We shall help you to
the best of 0ui ability, so that you shoulu not have any soit of financial uifficulty
until you finish youi stuuies.' They expiesseu to 0s theii heaitfelt joy at what We
hau saiu to them.

As the official visit enueu anu We weie staying in the specially aiiangeu
accommouation, impoitant Fienchmen, who hau been fiienus of the Ethiopian
goveinment anu in paiticulai of B.B. my fathei as well as of myself, began to
aiiive anu to pay 0s visits. Aftei this We iequesteu an appointment with the
Piime Ninistei, N. Poincaie, in oiuei to uiscuss amicably seveial matteis; anu on
the appointeu uay We went to the Foieign Ninistiy.

What We hau intenueu to uiscuss was that the Fiench shoulu give us a fiee
gateway to the sea at }ibuti, anu piioi to 0ui uepaituie fiom Auuis Ababa, as We
infoimeu the Fiench Ninistei that this was a mattei We paiticulaily wisheu to
uiscuss, some hope hau been given to 0s; consequently, if they agieeu to uo this,
they shoulu let us know what it was the Fiench goveinment wisheu to have in
exchange foi this fiom 0s.

Seconuly, the tieaty of fiienuship between the Ethiopian anu Fiench
goveinments, iefeiieu to as the Klobukowski tieaty, anu in paiticulai the juuicial
matteis laiu uown in paiagiaph, weie extiemely iiksome to us anu, without
abiogating the tieaty, the two goveinments, while maintaining its usefulness,
might cause a few impiovements to be effecteu.

When We infoimeu N. Poincaie of these 0ui intentions, he gave 0s his woiu that
he woulu piesent 0ui plan to Pailiament anu that they woulu think about it in
the most fiienuly possible mannei.

Chaptei 17 - About 0ui jouiney fiom Paiis to Biussels

TBE Belgian Ambassauoi in Paiis hau infoimeu 0s that on 14th uenbot (= 22nu
Nay) the King of the Belgians, B.N. Albeit, woulu officially ieceive 0s, anu
theiefoie We uepaiteu fiom Paiis towaius evening anu went to Biussels.

At the iailway station B.N. King Albeit, togethei with his ministeis anu his aimy
officeis, uiu 0s the honoui of an unfoigettable welcome.

It was in a wing of the main palace builuing in which B.N. liveu that quaiteis hau
been piepaieu foi 0s; We went theie anu iesteu a little. Afteiwaius he
intiouuceu to 0s B.N. Queen Elizabeth anu Piince Leopolu, his ciown piince who
latei on became king, anu his uaughtei, Piincess Naiie }ose.

At the banquet Bis Najesty assuieu 0s of his complete uesiie that the fiim
fiienuship between the Belgian anu Ethiopian goveinments shoulu in futuie
continue to giow.

0f the things We saw at Biussels anu in othei Belgian piovinces uuiing 0ui stay
in the countiy, the following iemain viviuly in 0ui memoiy: The Biussels
Nunicipality, hoise iacing, the Bank of Biussels, the Congo Nuseum, ciop
impiovement anu cattle bieeuing stations, Wateiloo wheie Napoleon was
uefeateu, the city of uhent anu its match factoiy, the city of Liege anu its
munitions factoiy, the city of Antweip, the city of Nauiage; We also saw coal
mines anu othei similai inuustiial establishments.

FR0N BR0SSELS T0 L0XENB00Ru

The uianu-Buchess Chailotte of Luxembouig, when she heaiu of King Albeit's
invitation to 0s to visit Biussels (still befoie 0ui uepaituie fiom Auuis Ababa)
infoimeu 0s thiough the Belgian Ninistei at Auuis Ababa, N. ueiaiu, that We
shoulu visit hei countiy uuiing 0ui jouiney, as Luxembouig was veiy neai to
Belgium. We hau, theiefoie, accepteu hei invitation anu now pioceeueu fiom
Biussels to Luxembouig. At the iailway station the uianu-Buchess' husbanu,
Buke Felix, ieceiveu 0s with a laige guaiu of honoui anu aftei that took 0s to the
Palace. But it so happeneu that on the uay We ieacheu Luxembouig the uianu-
Buchess gave biith to a son; she theiefoie infoimeu 0s by lettei of hei iegiet at
being unable to sit next to 0s at the luncheon paity. We tolu Piince Felix that it
woulu iemain in 0ui heait as a iemembiance of joy that on the uay of 0ui aiiival
in Luxembouig the uianu-Buchess shoulu give biith to a male chilu.

The Piince assuieu 0s iepeateuly of his pleasuie at 0ui visit to Luxembouig, anu
aftei taking 0ui leave of the uianu-Buchess by message, We ietuineu to
Biussels.

As 0ui official visit to Biussels was completeu, We took 0ui leave of the King anu
Queen on 2Siu uenbot (= S1st Nay) anu ietuineu to Paiis.

00R }00RNEY T0 ST0CKB0LN, TBE CAPITAL 0F SWEBEN

Baving come to Euiope, We hau the intention of visiting the countiies of Euiope
as a whole, even though not officially. But because the time was appioaching foi
0s to ietuin to 0ui countiy, anu although it was impossible to visit all the
Euiopean countiies, We maue a fiim iesolve to visit at the same time the
countiies in Noithein Euiope which it was convenient foi 0s to inspect, i.e.
Bollanu, ueimany, anu Sweuen. But as We weie planning to stay at Stockholm,
the Sweuish capital, foi about thiee uays, We infoimeu the Sweuish Ninistei in
Paiis; anu aftei he hau notifieu his goveinment anu obtaineu peimission he
aiiangeu foi eveiything on oui jouiney to go smoothly.

Subsequently, on 29th uenbot (= 6th }une) We uepaiteu fiom Paiis anu ieacheu
Amsteiuam by way of Biussels anu aftei seeing the Butch cities of Rotteiuam
anu the Bague. As 0ui tiain stoppeu foi about thiee houis at Amsteiuam, We
maue a toui of inspection of the city by cai. Fiom theie We tiavelleu thiough the
whole night anu at uawn We ieacheu the ueiman haiboui-city of Bambuig; aftei
touiing the town foi about an houi We set out foi Sweuen. Aftei ciossing the
watei calleu Noith Sea which lies between ueimany anu Sweuen, We aiiiveu at
Stockholm on 1st Sane (= 8th }une) at S o'clock in the moining (= 9 a.m.).

When we ieacheu Stockholm, B.N. King uustaf Auolph hau not yet ietuineu fiom
his countiy home wheie he hau gone foi vacation. We theiefoie put up at the
uianu Botel Royal.

0n this uay was Pentecost, anu, theiefoie, the Aichbishop of 0ppsala, Nathan
Soueiblom, sent an envoy anu tolu 0s: 'Because of the feast of Paiaclete
(Pentecost) we shall be holuing piayeis anu a seimon towaius evening anu we
beg that it may be Youi wish to attenu.' We uepaiteu fiom Stockholm at 9 o'clock
(= S p.m.) anu ieacheu 0ppsala at 1u o'clock (= 4 p.m.). The piovincial goveinoi
anu the Aichbishop ieceiveu 0s at the station. 0p to the time when the piayeis
anu seimon began We inspecteu the 0niveisity of 0ppsala anu the Libiaiy. In the
Libiaiy We weie veiy pleaseu to see some ue'ez anu Amhaiic books.

When the houi of the piayeis anu the seimon came, We went to the chuich. The
Aichbishop, being at an elevateu place, ieau the appiopiiate extiacts foi
Pentecost fiom the Bible anu gave a long seimon. Aftei this he spoke about
Ethiopia as follows:

'It is a fact that Ethiopia accepteu Chiistianity a long time piioi to us. It is only
aftei the steaufast Chiistians who live upon those heights of Afiica that we
Sweues, having accepteu Chiistianity, became families anu communities of
Chiist. Anu now it is an unfoigettable expeiience foi us to be hosts, with fiienuly
gieetings, to the Ciown Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy who has
come fiom those elevateu paits of Afiica.' When he hau finisheu speaking at
length, my heait was toucheu with joy at his tiuly inspiiing auuiess, anu I
theiefoie ieplieu as follows:

'Youi Beatituue!

All the Chiistians in the woilu, although they may be uiviueu in some minoi
matteis, yet in essence theie is no-one who uoes not know that theie is one
Chiist only. In foimei times, on account of the geogiaphical uistance, Sweuen
anu Ethiopia uiu not know each othei even by ieputation. But now, evei since
some Sweues hau begun to come to Ethiopia anu hau iecounteu in woius the
beauty of theii countiy anu uemonstiateu by theii woik the goouness of the
people, many Ethiopians wish to see Sweuen anu to meet the people.

Theie aie many who uo not know Ethiopia's histoiy anu hei acceptance of
Chiistianity 16uu yeais ago. But you, knowing hei histoiy anu by youi kinuness
anu sinceiity acknowleuging Ethiopia's acceptance of Chiistianity even befoie
Sweuen uiu so, have spoken with conviction; anu, theiefoie, I wish to thank you
in my own name anu in that of the whole people of Ethiopia. Touay, on this gieat
uay of Pentecost, having maue the acquaintance of the Sweuish people, I expiess
the hope that this may be an omen of the piogiessive stiengthening anu
wiuening of the fiienuship of the two iealms.' When I hau finisheu speaking, all
the people assembleu theie, beginning with the Aichbishop, expiesseu to 0s
theii heaitfelt pleasuie.

We subsequently ietuineu to Stockholm. Since 0ui visit to Stockholm was
piivate anu not official, We hau not hau any thought of meeting the King. But as
soon as the King heaiu of 0ui aiiival at Stockholm, he sent a message that it
woulu give him pleasuie if we coulu meet now that We hau come to Stockholm.
We accepteu his unofficial invitation anu went to the seasiue palace calleu
Tullgain. The King, togethei with his couitieis, was awaiting 0s stanuing by the
gate of the palace, anu we met with waim affection anu fiienuship. When We hau
iesteu a little in the gieat hall, a festive luncheon was seiveu. Aftei lunch we
iemaineu talking about the means by which the fiienuship between the two
goveinments might piogiessively uevelop anu by which the peoples of the two
iealms might get much closei to each othei. Towaius evening, about S o'clock,
We ietuineu to Stockholm.

0f what We saw at Stockholm anu suiiounuings the following iecollections
iemain in 0ui heait: the new telephone exchange with 8u,uuu lines, the iion
inuustiy, schools, hospitals, anu 0ppsala 0niveisity libiaiy.

Afteiwaius, on the 6th of Sane (= 1Sth }une), We set out fiom Stockholm, ciosseu
the Noith Sea, anu when We ieacheu the ueiman city of Bambuig, We
uisembaikeu fiom the tiain anu touieu the city by cai foi about thiee houis; anu
on the following uay, 7th Sane (= 14th }une), We ie-enteieu Paiis.


Chaptei 18 - About 0ui jouiney fiom Paiis to Rome

WE left Paiis on 9th Sane (= 16th }une) anu ieacheu Rome on the 11th (= 18th
}une). The King of Italy, B.N. victoi Emmanuel, anu the leauei of the goveinment,
Signoi Nussolini, with a guaiu of aimy officeis, ieceiveu 0s with honoui at the
iailway station, thus causing much pleasuie. It was in the Quiiinale, pieviously
the Pope's palace, in which Bis Najesty liveu that accommouation hau been
piepaieu foi 0s; anu We pioceeueu theie.

When We appeaieu togethei with the King stanuing on the uppei balcony to
salute the people, all the ciowu assembleu in the squaie began shouting with one
voice joyfully: 'Long live Italy! Long live Ethiopia! Long live B.B. Ciown Piince
Tafaii!' (When they think of this touay, how extiaoiuinaiy must this appeai to
them.!).

At the banquet B.N. the King of Italy ueliveieu the following speech:

'Youi Bighness!

It has given me gieat pleasuie to welcome Youi Bighness to the city of Rome
with sentiments of amity. Youi aiiival touay iecalls to me the visit, a long time
ago, of youi fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen. It is my sinceie wish that the
goveinment, which uou by his uesiie has given in youi hanus, may continue to
piospei.

Youi Bighness' piuuence has alieauy uone a gieat ueal foi the countiy's
piospeiity anu expansion. Youi visit to Italy now will, I believe, piogiessively
stiengthen the fiienuship anu mutual benefit between the two goveinments.

The ueeus of kinuness which you uiu foi Italy uuiing the uieat Wai will nevei be
foigotten. We on oui pait have gieatly assisteu Ethiopia to entei the League of
Nations. Theiefoie the fiienuship which exists between the two goveinments
will be of mutual benefit.' Be then concluueu by saying: 'I piay that uou's
blessing may uescenu upon Ethiopia.'

I then ueliveieu the following speech:

'Youi Najesty!

Baving come all the way fiom Ethiopia, my joy is abunuant in seeing Youi
Najesty, youi beautiful countiy, anu youi beloveu people. I am inueeu foitunate
in coming to Rome to binu togethei the ties of fiienuship between the two
goveinments which weie establisheu a long time ago. I am veiy pleaseu about
youi iecalling the name of my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen. All the people who
heaiu my fathei tell of the gloiious welcome given to him when he came to Italy
uuiing the ieign of King 0mbeito, youi fathei, weie gieatly impiesseu. Anu now
that I have aiiiveu heie I am veiy pleaseu about the maivellous ieception which
Youi Najesty has extenueu to me. Bencefoith it is my entiie intention to have
oui affection stiengtheneu anu oui fiienuship extenueu, anu I believe that Youi
Najesty's intention is likewise.'

We Ethiopians consiuei the speech of the king of a gieat countiy to be like a
pleuge given unuei oath, anu the woius spoken by B.N. the King of Italy (as citeu
heie above) seemeu to 0s to augui a stable peace anu amity between the two
goveinments; anu it uiu not appeai to 0s a mattei of ueceit.

0n 12 Sane (= 19th }une) We paiu a visit to the leauei of the goveinment, Signoi
Nussolini, having iequesteu an appointment to uiscuss, in a fiienuly mannei, a
numbei of matteis. The subject which We planneu to uiscuss was conceineu
with the amicable gianting to Ethiopia of a gateway to the noithein paits of the
countiy fiom the poit of Assab which hau oiiginally been unuei Ethiopian iule
anu was now an Italian colony.

Aftei we hau met at the appointeu houi, I saiu to him that it woulu give 0s
pleasuie if he weie willing to uiscuss the amicable cession to us by the Italian
goveinment of a pait of the poit of Assab as a fiee zone.

Aftei Signoi Nussolini hau listeneu attentively to this iequest, he saiu that he
was willing to uiscuss the mattei anu that, aftei conveisations with the Biiectoi
of Political Affaiis, Contaiini, the lattei woulu let me know the answei. Contaiini
having been summoneu immeuiately, we weie intiouuceu to each othei.

Aftei We hau hau meetings anu lengthy uiscussions with him (Contaiini), he tolu
me that he woulu iepoit to Signoi Nussolini eveiything that we hau spoken
about anu that the ieply woulu ieach me tomoiiow by the hanus of Conte Colli;
we then paiteu.

0n the moiiow, Conte Colli, the Italian Envoy Extiaoiuinaiy anu Ninistei
Plenipotentiaiy in Ethiopia, came anu submitteu to 0s a uiaft tieaty, explaining
that this was his goveinment's pioposal conceining my iequest as iegaius the
poit of Assab. The following is the text of the uiaft tieaty:

Fiist: Since it is the ueteimineu wish of the Italian uoveinment to stiengthen
piogiessively the ties of fiienuship which exist between the Italian anu Ethiopian
goveinments, anu foi the financial anu political benefit anu piospeiity of
Ethiopia, the Italian uoveinment consigns to the Ethiopian uoveinment, foi a
peiiou of 99 yeais, an access point to the sea at Assab anu a place suitable foi a
iailway fiom the sea up to the Ethiopian fiontiei, as well as all the localities anu
houses which aie the piopeity of the Italian uoveinment anu aie situateu within
the town which hitheito hau been in the hanus of the Italian uoveinment. 0ntil
the peiiou of this tieaty expiies, the Ethiopian uoveinment has full soveieignty
ovei the access point to the sea at Assab anu ovei the ioau to the fiontiei which
it has ieceiveu fiom the Italian uoveinment.

Seconu: Expeits whom the Italian anu Ethiopian goveinments will choose aie to
ueteimine the bounuaiies in the suiiounuings of the sea-poit of Assab, incluuing
the houses that have been built, anu the giounu iequiieu foi the constiuction of
the iailway fiom the access point at Assab up to the Ethiopian fiontiei; anu they
shall ueteimine the bounuaiy, in situ, having iegaiu to what is neeueu foi access
to the sea anu foi the tiaue of Assab.

Thiiu: The Ethiopian uoveinment, being veiy uesiious to stiengthen
piogiessively the ties of fiienuship which exist between Italy anu Ethiopia, will
not give economic oi political benefit to the citizens of any othei goveinment
except to Italian citizens in the seapoit anu localities mentioneu, as has been
agieeu in the tieaty. All things being equal, pieceuence shall be accoiueu to
Italian citizens. But the Ethiopian uoveinment, if it wishes to employ people in
the aiea, can uo what it likes.

Fouith: If the Italian uoveinment iequiies a place at which to ueposit goous at
the gateway to the sea at Assab, the Ethiopian uoveinment will let it have a
uemaicateu aiea.

Fifth: When Italian meichants cause meichanuise to pass thiough the Assab fiee
zone they shall pay customs uuty at the same iate at which Ethiopian meichants
have to pay.

Sixth: The Ethiopian uoveinment shall assign the constiuction of the fiee
maiitime zone anu of the iailway fiom Assab to the Ethiopian fiontiei to
Ethiopian anu Italian companies. When these companies aie establisheu, the
Ethiopians shall pay two paits of the money anu the Italians one pait. But if the
Ethiopians aie unable to iaise two thiius of the money, then the two paities
alone, without biinging in any foieigneis, may foim a company anu pay the
money half anu half.

Seventh: If the Ethiopian uoveinment in futuie concluues a maiitime access
tieaty with anothei goveinment, anu if it finus a location oi pait theieof that is a
fiee zone at whatevei othei maiitime access point, anu if it obtains theie genuine
auvantages, then the Italian uoveinment agiees, by ieuiawing this maiitime
access tieaty, to extenu the auvantages foi Ethiopia.

Assuming the Ethiopian uoveinment concluues a maiitime access tieaty with
anothei goveinment anu if that othei goveinment obtains auvantages by the
tieaty, then the Italian uoveinment may well ueiive benefit fiom ieuiawing this
maiitime access tieaty.

Eighth: With iegaiu to the entiie question of fiontiei tieaties pieviously
concluueu by the Ethiopian anu Italian goveinments, the two paities agiee that
boiuei pioblems be finally settleu as soon as expeits have been selecteu fiom
both siues. Fuitheimoie, the Ethiopian uoveinment unueitakes to assist to the
utmost extent possible those Italian companies who hau accepteu the pievious
tieaty obligations as iegaius agiicultuie, commeice, public woiks, anu mineials,
lest they shoulu encountei uifficulties.

Ninth: As iegaius the wateis of the }uba anu Webi Shebeli iiveis, the Ethiopian
uoveinment enteis into a contiactual agieement not to shut off completely those
wateis pieventing them fiom flowing to Italian Somalilanu by offeiing theii
benefit to foieign inteiestsnotwithstanuing anything iequiieu foi Ethiopia's
own benefit.

Tenth: The Italian uoveinment enteis into tieaty obligations not to uemanu any
money fiom the Ethiopian uoveinment foi gianting it a maiitime access point at
Assab anu auequate giounu foi the constiuction of a iailway to the Ethiopian
fiontiei togethei with all the houses anu giounu at Assab.

Aftei We hau stuuieu this uiaft tieaty, We became convinceu of the neeu to
infoim the Council upon 0ui ietuin to Auuis Ababa; We theiefoie tolu Conte
Colli to infoim Signoi Nussolini of this 0ui intention. But foi a vaiiety of ieasons
the uiaft tieaty nevei came into foice.

0n 14th Sane (= 21st }une) We hau been given an appointment to visit the Pope
of Rome, Pius XI, anu at the appointeu houi We met at the vatican Palace. The
Pope spoke expiessing his pleasuie at the fact that Catholic missions weie now
iesiuing in Ethiopia in peace anu secuiity anu that ieligious fieeuom was now
peimitteu in Ethiopia, contiaiy to eailiei piactice. When we came to take leave
of each othei, he pionounceu a piayei: 'Nay uou bless the lanu of Ethiopia, its
kings anu its people.'

When We emeigeu fiom theie, We enteieu the chuich of St. Petei anu paiu
homage at the sepulchie; aftei We hau seen the beauty of the chuich, We went to
inspect the neai-by monasteiy of St. Stephen which hau been given to the
Ethiopian monks. Fiom the eailiest times Ethiopian monks possesseu a stiong
uesiie to see anu to pay homage at 0ui Loiu's sepulchie at uolgotha anu the
sepulchie of St. Petei anu St. Paul at Rome; but when they came to Rome fiom
Ethiopia, they hau uifficulty in finuing lougings, anu it is saiu that when the Pope
who ieigneu in 1464 saw theii plight he gave them this monasteiy saying: 'This
monasteiy of St. Stephen shall be a iesting place foi Ethiopian monks.'

As We touieu eveiy coinei of the chuich in this monasteiy, We saw the hewn
stones on which the names of the seven Ethiopian monks hau been inciseu.
When We weie seateu in one of the iooms in the monasteiy, the seven
Ethiopians who hau come heie to stuuy appioacheu anu expiesseu theii joy to
0s by iefeiiing to the antiquity of Ethiopia anu the stiength of hei kings anu by
ienueiing thanks to 0s.

The following aie some of the iecollections that have iemaineu in 0ui heait of
what We saw at Rome anu in the piovinces uuiing 0ui stay theie: the Quiiinale
Palace, the mausoleum of the kings, the motoi-cycle iaces, the Rome
Nunicipality, the vatican anu the chuich of St. Petei, the convent of St. Stephen
wheie Ethiopian boys aie stuuying, the chuich of St. Paul anu St. }ohn, the chuich
of 0ui Lauy Naiy anu of }esus, the palace of the ancient Caesais, the theatie in
which the ancient Caesais maue Chiistians fight with wilu beasts anu slaves fight
each othei, the victoi Emmanuel II Nonument, the militaiy paiaue at Cento-
celle, the Rome museums, the cannon-fiiing at Biacciano, the militaiy hospital
calleu Celio, the ships at Spezia, the city of Tuiin, the Fiat cai factoiy, anu the
ioyal mausoleum at Tuiin.

When the uays of the official visit weie ovei, We thankeu B.N. King victoi
Emmanuel foi the fiienuly ieception he hau aiiangeu foi 0s, took 0ui leave, anu
ietuineu to Paiis on 2Sth Sane (= 2nu }uly).

Chaptei 19 - Fiom Paiis to Lonuon

0N Suth Sane (= 7th }uly) We set out fiom Paiis anu tiavelleu to Lonuon. When
We ieacheu Calais, We boaiueu a Biitish ship; anu as We began the jouiney two
waiships, beueckeu with the Ethiopian anu Biitish flags, saileu to the iight anu
left of oui boat. Baving ciosseu the sea We ieacheu Bovei anu a twenty-one gun
salute was fiieu.

Fiom Bovei We tiavelleu by tiain, anu when We ieacheu victoiia Railway
Station in Lonuon the son of Bis Najesty King ueoige (now himself king but at
that time styleu Buke of Yoik), togethei with many officeis anu guaius of
honoui, baue 0s a uistinguisheu welcome in the name of his fathei. Fiom theie
We went to the iesiuence which hau been piepaieu foi 0s in a house calleu
'Albeit uate' neai Byue Paik anu Knightsbiiuge.

0n the moiiow, 1st Bamle (= 8th }uly), so B.B. the Buke of Yoik infoimeu 0s,
was to be the auuience gianteu by Bis Najesty King ueoige; anu at the appointeu
houi We went to the meeting.



I ueliveieu to Bis Najesty the following speech:

'Youi Najesty!

It has given me gieat pleasuie to see Youi Najesty anu Bei Najesty the Queen in
youi gieat capital of Lonuon which was founueu a long time ago. Youi Najesty is
awaie that the fiim fiienuship between Englanu anu Ethiopia has been
establisheu foi a long time.

Foi the futuie it is the wish of Bei Najesty Empiess Zawuitu as well as my own
that the fiienuship of the two goveinments shoulu piogiessively uevelop anu
stiengthen, anu We believe that Youi Najesty's intention anu wish aie likewise.

When my august fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, came to Lonuon uuiing the ieign of
youi august fathei, King Euwaiu vII, I was gieatly impiesseu when I heaiu him
tell his officeis about all the acts of fiienuship which hau been uone unto him.

Anu I, his son, having come to Lonuon, ueiive gieat pleasuie fiom seeing Youi
Najesty, youi honouieu people, anu youi beautiful capital, anu this joy will
iemain in my heait as a constant memoiy.

Youi Najesty! I woulu assuie Youi Najesty of my heaitfelt wish that theie may
be long life in health foi Youi Najesty, Bei Najesty the Queen, anu the entiie
Royal Bouse, peace anu blessing foi youi people, piospeiity anu uevelopment
foi youi countiy.' When I hau finisheu speaking, Bis Najesty ieplieu with the
following speech:

'Youi Bighness!

I thank you fiom my heait, foi I am exceeuingly pleaseu having heaiu the woius
of fiienuship which Youi Bighness has now spoken. I anu the Queen aie veiy
pleaseu at youi safe aiiival in the capital of the Biitish iealm anu at oui meeting
face to face.

I expiess the hope that the fiienuship which has existeu between the two
goveinments foi so long may by Youi Bighness' aiiival be piogiessively
uevelopeu anu stiengtheneu in futuie.

I iecall the visit of B.B. youi fathei, Ras Nakonnen, as iepiesentative of Empeioi
Nenelik at the coionation of my fathei Bis Najesty King Euwaiu. I know full well
that Ras Nakonnen possesseu enuuiing thoughts of fiienuship foi my countiy.
Likewise I uo not uoubt that the same thoughts will foi evei be with his son.

While Youi Bighness is heie, aiiangements have been maue foi you to see,
without inconvenience, eveiything you may iequiie to inspect in my countiy.
Again, while you aie with us anu enjoying an agieeable anu useful time, I hope
that, when you ietuin to youi countiy, eveiything you have seen in Englanu will
iemain a pleasant memoiy.

Now, in thanking Youi Bighness once again, I woulu assuie you that it is my
intention to consoliuate oui fiienuship. I woulu iequest Youi Bighness to
tiansmit, upon youi ietuin to youi countiy, my coiuial anu iespectful gieetings
to Bei Najesty Queen Zawuitu. I expiess to you my wholeheaiteu wish that the
Ethiopian iealm may have happiness anu piospeiity, blessings anu
uevelopment.' Be thus concluueu his speech.

We subsequently ietuineu to Albeit uate anu, about two houis latei, Bis Najesty
came to Albeit uate on a ietuin visit.

0n the 4th of Bamle (= 11th }uly) an appointment was aiiangeu to uiscuss some
goveinmental affaiis with the Piime Ninistei, Ni. Ramsay NacBonalu, anu at the
appointeu houi we met at the Foieign 0ffice.

Aftei Ni. NacBonalu hau spoken at length about the uistuibances which hau
occuiieu at the fiontieis between the subjects of the two goveinments, We
ieplieu to him as follows:

'The boiuei settlement has been maue on papei only, anu the engineeis selecteu
by the goveinments of both siues accoiuing to the piovisions of the tieaty have
not uelimiteu the fiontieis by a visit on the spot anu no maiks have been put in
the giounu; this is the ieason why 0ui subjects anu youis have come to blows at
the boiueis; it woulu, theiefoie, be bettei if in futuie we caiiieu out what is
iequiieu as soon as possible, i.e. ueteimining the fiontiei anu maiking it
piopeily.' We tolu him that theie coulu be no uoubt that, once this hau been
caiiieu out, the two siues woulu obseive theii bounuaiies. Ni. NacBonalu
agieeu with this pioposal anu saiu that he woulu aiiange that the mattei of the
fiontiei ueteimination be begun at once. When We got back, We saw to it that
the woik of boiuei uelimitation was caiiieu out.

The seconu mattei is conceineu with the Lake Tana baiiage. Ni. NacBonalu
askeu that the Ethiopian uoveinment shoulu giant peimission to the Biitish
uoveinment to constiuct the Lake Tana uam. We ieplieu to him as follows:

We ouiselves shall cause the Lake Tana baiiage to be built; we can, howevei, talk
about the setting up of a company. 0nce we hau completeu the constiuction of
the uam, We tolu him that we woulu then lease the watei to the uoveinment of
the Anglo-Egyptian Suuan.

We concluueu by saying that we shoulu tiansmit uetails to each othei in wiiting,
as we hau agieeu about the pioposal in piinciple. Aftei this, having askeu
peimission to point out some uifficulties on oui pait, We submitteu to him the
following iequests: In the past, in Empeioi Nenelik's ieign, a tieaty hau been
concluueu that the Ethiopian uoveinment, having puichaseu the aims it
consiueis necessaiy foi itself, shoulu not be impeueu conveying those aims to
the countiy. But now, since the uieat Euiopean Wai, We weie pieventeu
caiiying aims which we hau puichaseu, anu We askeu the Piime Ninistei to
peimit us the puichase anu conveyance of aims as of olu. Be ieplieu that the
Biitish uoveinment weie unable to iesolve the mattei on theii own, unless they
settleu this position on the aims embaigo in conjunction with the Fiench anu
Italian uoveinments; anu that aftei consultation among the thiee goveinments
about this they woulu let us know the answei.

Seconuly, We hau expeiienceu gieat uifficulty because the Ethiopian
uoveinment uiu not possess a sea-poit which woulu biing about contact with
foieign countiies. It is a fact that skill anu wealth aie acquiieu when tiaue
expanus as one nation meets anu encounteis otheis by sea anu by lanu. The
entiie object of the Ethiopian uoveinment foi the futuie is to get veiy close to
foieign countiies by unueitaking the tasks of civilization. Inueeu, oui accession
to the League of Nations last yeai pioves oui intention to woik foi civilization
anu to uevelop oui countiy. Theiefoie, if the Biitish uoveinment weie to give
the Ethiopian uoveinment a sea-poit as patiimony, theie woulu be eteinal anu
unshakable fiienuship. Bence I saiu to the Piime Ninistei that it woulu give 0s
pleasuie if he woulu let 0s have a uefinite answei befoie 0ui uepaituie fiom
Lonuon.

Ni. NacBonalu ieplieu: 'I hau not heaiu about this mattei until now; I am not
able to give you the answei immeuiately, since this has not been uebateu anu
ueteimineu by Pailiament, anu I on my own am not in a position to ueciue this. I
shall, howevei, see to it that the mattei be submitteu to Pailiament at the
appiopiiate time, so that its auvice can be obtaineu.'

0n the same uay the Aichbishop of Canteibuiy, the Nost Reveienu Ranuall
Baviuson, gave a uinnei paity foi 0s, anu We left Albeit uate at seven o'clock to
go to Lambeth Palace. Aftei a veiy pleasant banquet in 0ui honoui the
Aichbishop maue the following speech:

'Youi Bighness!

It gives me veiy gieat pleasuie to welcome Youi Bighness to Lambeth Palace
which is the main centie of the English Chuich. Fiom time to time I ieceive those
who aie the impoitant iepiesentatives of the bianches of the Chuich of Chiist.
But theie has nevei befoie visiteu Lambeth anyone whose chuich stanus, in
teims of antiquity, in fiist place among the Chiistians of the woilu.

Youi Bighness! Youi Chuich has an ancient histoiy of about 16uu yeais. Its
beginnings appioach the even eailiei peiiou of the apostles of 0ui Loiu. Youi
Chuich has a histoiy which is ielateu to the time of Athanasius anu his
companions. Youi Bighness is not only holuing on to ancient tiauitions, but it is
youi gloiy to uevelop Chiistian civilization foi the futuie anu to spieau the
Chiistian sciiptuies among youi people.

Fiom youi piinting piess issue not only ancient anu mouein ieligious books. But
you youiself aie an active paiticipant in the woik. The Ethiopian books which
Youi Bighness has causeu to be piinteu have an intiouuction by you: Eveiyone
who stuuies the books of Chiysostom anu of the monk Nai Yeshaq will ueiive
much benefit.

It is not to be uoubteu that the main object of youi piesent jouiney is to acquaint
youiself with the mouein westein woilu. Be it in spiiitual oi in seculai teims,
youi visit is to all of us a peipetual joy. I feel assuieu that youi countiy's spiiitual
anu seculai wellbeing is well placeu in youi hanus anu that theie is uue to you
eveiy possible assistance foi youi beneficent enueavouis.'

Be concluueu by saying: 'With coiuial fiienuship anu high hopes we wish that
eveiything foi which you have come heie may piospei.'

0n the Sth of Bamle (= 12th }uly), as the official visit enueu, We went to
Buckingham Palace anu took leave of B.N. the King anu B.N. the Queen. Buiing
the faiewell visit B.N. King ueoige maue the following speech:

'Youi Bighness has given me gieat pleasuie by youi visit to Englanu to uevelop
anu stiengthen the fiienuship of oui two goveinments. Bence, so that you may
have a constant memoiial of youi visit to Lonuon anu of youi meeting with us,
we aie ietuining to you the ciown of Empeioi Theouoie which the commanuei
of the Biitish aimy at the time of the Naguala campaign hau biought back.'

Although the captuie of Empeioi Theouoie's ciown anu its iemoval to Englanu
in no way affecteu Ethiopia's inuepenuence, yet to have it saiu 'this ciown was
the ciown of an Ethiopian Empeioi' anu to have it appeai in a foieign countiy
uiu not please me. Bence B.N. King ueoige's giacious peimission that this ciown
of Empeioi Theouoie now be ietuineu to Ethiopia was, I was convinceu, a gieat
maik of fiienuship; anu since I felt veiy pleaseu, I expiesseu to the king my
piofounuly sinceie giatituue.

0n 11th Bamle (= 18th }uly) We uepaiteu fiom Lonuon at 4 o'clock in the
moining (= 1u a.m.) to visit Cambiiuge 0niveisity. Befoie coming to Lonuon,
while We weie still at Rome, the vice-Chancelloi hau askeu 0s in wiiting to be
giacious enough to visit the 0niveisity. Aftei We hau ieacheu Lonuon, he
infoimeu 0s of his pioposal thiough the Foieign 0ffice, anu We, theiefoie, went
to caiiy out this engagement.

Aftei all the piofessois of the 0niveisity hau given 0s a iespectful welcome, the
0niveisity's vice-Chancelloi appioacheu anu saiu: 'Youi Bighness! As we have
heaiu of youi initiative anu peiseveiance in leauing youi countiy Ethiopia in
wisuom anu knowleuge, we bestow upon you the honoiaiy uegiee of Boctoi of
Law.' Be then gave me the appiopiiate iobes.

Immeuiately afteiwaius they aiiangeu foi 0s a gieat luncheon banquet. At the
banquet the vice-Chancelloi, Bi. E. C. Peaice, maue the following speech:

'Youi Bighness!

The poet Bomei says the Ethiopians aie blameless. Beiouotus says the
Ethiopians aie long-liveu because they uo not uiink wine at all.

It is a fact that the Ethiopians iefuseu to pay tiibute to Cambyses anu to the
Peisian kings. Subsequently, they tuineu back victoiiously all who came to take
theii countiy by foice. Who uoes not know that the Queen of Sheba, having heaiu
of Solomon's fame, came by camel beaiing spices, golu, anu gems to tiy the king
with iiuules. Who uoes not know that she ietuineu to hei countiy to be the
mothei of all the kings. Who uoes not iemembei, as the centuiies unfolueu, theii
uescent fiom Baviu. Who uoes not know of theii being of the family of Queen
Canuace. All this pioves the establishment of theii Chiistianity ovei the whole of
Ethiopia anu theii possession of an ancient faith

ovei a long histoiy.

A man who hau stuuieu at Chiist's College in Cambiiuge 0niveisity has, in iecent
yeais, ievealeu to the English people the liteiatuie anu law books of Ethiopia.

Touay theie is amongst us Tafaii Nakonnen, Ethiopia's Ciown Piince. Be follows
in the footsteps of his ancestois anu possesses knowleuge exceeuing that of
oiientals anu Egyptians. Be exploies ancient anu mouein knowleuge. Be has
stuuieu all the ancient Chiistian tiauitions. Be enueavouis to acquiie mouein
science. B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen is the fiist Ethiopian Ciown Piince who has gone
up in an aeioplane.

Be has causeu the books of }ohn Chiysostom anu of Nai Yeshaq to be tianslateu
fiom ue'ez into Amhaiic anu hau them piinteu at his own piess. These books can
be founu in the Cambiiuge 0niveisity Libiaiy. Fuitheimoie, he has built a school
foi the chiluien of Ethiopia.' Be enueu by saying: 'We theiefoie make known to
all of you heie Ethiopia's gieat Ciown Piince anu Regent, B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen,
the hope of Ethiopia, who is uescenueu fiom ancient kings.'

We ieplieu with the following speech to that ueliveieu by the 0niveisity's vice-
Chancelloi:

'It gives me gieat pleasuie to visit Cambiiuge 0niveisity wheie the fount of
leaining anu wisuom foi so many uiffeient peoples iises. I thank you foi
ieceiving me with manifestations of such gieat pleasuie anu coiuial fiienuship.
Noieovei, my joy is immense when you speak of Ethiopia's histoiy pioving the
existence since eailiest times of hei inuepenuence anu the people's auheience to
Chiistianity.

Peihaps theie iemain some people who uo not know that the Ethiopian iealm
possesses gieat antiquity anu that it was establisheu a long time ago. But if they
stuuy Ethiopian histoiy caiefully, they will be able to convince themselves of the
fiim existence of the Ethiopian iealm piioi to the uieeks anu the Romans. 0ui
countiy was well known even at the time of Baviu anu Solomon.

Since Ethiopia enteieu the League of Nations last yeai, it is appiopiiate foi hei to
uiaw closei to the nations of Euiope. As we have sent Ethiopian youths to stuuy
in Euiope anu in othei countiies anu as they aie veiy uiligent in theii stuuies, I
hope that in a few yeais' time they will come to Cambiiuge foi theii univeisity
euucation anu then seive theii countiy when they ietuin aftei giauuation.' 0pon
completing my speech, we took oui leave anu ietuineu to Lonuon.

Eveiything I saw in Lonuon was tiuly amazing. The following sights aie a
peipetual memoiy engiaveu in my heait: Buckingham Palace, the Towei of
Lonuon, St. Thomas's Bospital, the Bouses of Pailiament, the Zoological uaiuen
in which many uiffeient wilu animals can be seen, the Bigh Couits of }ustice, St.
Paul's Catheuial, the Wembley Exhibition, the Foieign 0ffice, Lambeth Palace,
the iesiuence of the Aichbishop of Canteibuiy, the Biitish anu Foieign Bible
Society, the Bank of Englanu, anu Winusoi Castle.

Theie iemains with me a gieat aumiiation foi the goouness of the people in
teims of innate chaiactei anu habit iathei than political motivation. Afteiwaius,
on 14th Bamle (= 21st }uly), We ietuineu fiom Lonuon to Paiis.

Subsequently, having come as fai as Euiope, I felt I coulu not ietuin to my
countiy without seeing ueneva wheie the League of Nations, on which woilu
peace is founueu, was establisheu anu of which we hau become membeis. So, on
21st Bamle (= 28th }uly) I went fiom Paiis to ueneva. But as this was the holiuay
season, the Secietaiy ueneial was not theie, anu theiefoie the Secietaiies who
weie theie at the time ieceiveu 0s with pleasuie anu showeu 0s all the offices
with theii vaiious uepaitments. Fiom theie We visiteu the Swiss capital, Beine,
anu then ietuineu to Paiis.

While it was my ueteimineu wish to visit Beilin, the capital of ueimany, piivately
anu quite unofficially, I was sau at my inability to go to Beilin in view of the
appioach of the time at which I hau to ietuin to my countiy. I theiefoie aiiangeu
that Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse, Sahle Tsaualu, anu Tasfaye Tagagn, among the
officials who weie with me, shoulu go to Beilin, taking with them a lettei of
fiienuship anu, aftei meeting the Piesiuent, Naishal Binuenbuig, they weie to
ietuin.

In the tieaty with the Fianco-Ethiopian Railway Company theie weie, in some
passages, matteis which at times gave iise to uispute; We, theiefoie, hau fiienuly
uiscussions anu agieeu, without uifficulty, on nine paiagiaphs anu hau much
pleasuie in putting 0ui signatuie to it togethei with that of the Piesiuent of the
Company, N. Naxime uetten.

While We hau inuicateu to N. Poincaie, the Foieign Ninistei, uuiing the peiiou
when We fiist came to Paiis, the neeu to finu a fiee access point to the sea at
}ibuti, it so happeneu that theie occuiieu ministeiial changes in the piesiuency
anu the Foieign Ninistiy. Yet N. Poincaie' hau given 0s hope explaining that they
woulu let 0s have the ieply at anothei time; anu when We askeu that they shoulu
give 0s the answei, as We weie now ietuining to 0ui countiy, the following
lettei was wiitten to 0s by the Foieign Ninistiy:

1Sth Nahase 1924

Paiis

To B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen, Ciown Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy.

'Youi Bighness!

Since Youi Bighness has askeu foi access to the sea foi the puiposes of youi
countiy's tiaue, it woulu have given me pleasuie to convey to Youi Bighness,
piioi to youi uepaituie fiom heie, the teims on which the goveinments of the
two countiies might ieach agieement anu to concluue the investigation of the
mattei baseu on the fiim uesiie of the uoveinment of the Fiench Republic to
giant to the Ethiopian uoveinment the access which you have iequesteu.

But with the uelay of the Piesiuent of the Council to ietuin speeuily fiom the
countiy to which he has gone, anu since the agieement to be concluueu is a
mattei of impoitance, the whole uoveinment of the Fiench Republic must of
necessity uelibeiate on the mattei. Theiefoie the agieement has not yet been
uiafteu. The mattei which you have iequesteu cannot fail to come about, so as to
stiengthen the fiienuship of the two goveinments anu likewise the ties of amity
which foi long have histoiically bounu the Fiench uoveinment to that of
Ethiopia. I woulu iespectfully infoim Youi Bighness by ueclaiing that, once the
mattei has again been uigently iaiseu, it will concluuewith the fiim uesiie that
existsin a wiitten agieement.

The time has hitheito iemaineu unpiopitious to expeuite the entiie agieement
upon the basis of the benefit which these two fiienuly anu neighbouiing
goveinments attiibute to it. But in the accoiu which will unuoubteuly be
concluueu in futuie Youi Bighness will finu a uistinct iemembiancebaseu on
youi visit to Fiancewhich justifies the tiust you iepose in the people's
piofounu fiienuship. Nothing will be foigotten to biing about what is necessaiy,
so that the iecollection of the fiienuship anu mutual benefit of the two countiies
will continue to flouiish.

I woulu iequest Youi Bighness to make known, on oui behalf, to the Empiess of
Ethiopia, B.N. Zawuitu, the goou wishes anu goouwill which the uoveinment of
the Fiench Republic cheiishes foi hei anu hei people's piospeiity.' (signeu)
Rene Renoult.

Although the uiaft agieement iemaineu unwiitten foi the time being, yet We
weie glau when We ieau this lettei, foi its woiuing gave hope that an accoiu
woulu be concluueu within the neai futuie. Since We weie convinceu that the
time was appioaching when We hau to ietuin to 0ui countiy, We gave oiueis
that the new meual, calleu Nenelik II meual, be stiuck anu also that the Nenelik
II statue be constiucteu anu sent to Auuis Ababa, that the new stamps, with the
effigy of Queen Zawuitu anu 0uiselves, be piinteu, anu that the books iequiieu
foi the ministeiial uepaitments be puichaseu.

Chaptei 2u - Fiom Paiis to Athens, the uieek capital

WE hau not yet maue the acquaintance of the new Piesiuent of the Fiench
Republic, B.E. N. Boumeigue, anu We theiefoie met by appointment at the
Chateau ue Rambouillet; at the same time We took 0ui leave, anu on 7th Nahase
(= 1Sth August) We set out foi Naiseilles on 0ui way to Athens. The Fiench
authoiities anu 0ui olu fiienu, N. Lagaiue, who escoiteu 0s as fai as Naiseilles,
weie with 0s.

Fiom Naiseilles We embaikeu on 9th Nahase (= 1Sth August) on a small ship
calleu 'Amboise'. 0n the fouith uay, when We ieacheu the uieek haiboui town of
Piiaeus, they ieceiveu 0s with gieat honouiaeioplanes hoveiing in the aii, anu
in the sea waiships fiiing theii guns. When, pioceeuing fiom theie, We ieacheu
the town of Phaleion, the uieek Piime Ninistei, B.E. Nonsieui Sophoulis, with
ministeis anu aimy commanueis, baue 0s welcome. Fiom theie We tiavelleu by
tiain to Athens.

At the iailway station the Piesiuent of the Republic, B.E. Aumiial Conuouiiotes,
togethei with the countiy's uignitaiies anu foieign uiplomats, ieceiveu 0s. We
immeuiately went to the piincipal chuich at Athens wheie Aichbishop
Chiysostomos pionounceu a piayei of blessing, anu aftei that We pioceeueu to
the palace wheie lougings hau been piepaieu foi 0s.

At the banquet in the evening, the Piesiuent, Aumiial Conuouiiotes, spoke of the
fiienuship which hau iemaineu steaufast foi a veiy long time between the two
countiies as well as of the closely knit histoiy of the two peoples.

We on 0ui pait tolu him that fiom time immemoiial Athens hau been the souice
of wisuom anu knowleuge, that We hau uiscoveieu anu ieau in oui histoiy of the
goouness of the uieek people, anu We ueclaieu 0ui intention hencefoith to
ienuei assistance to all uieeks living in Ethiopia.

0n the next uay We visiteu the Aciopolis, the ancient sanctuaiy of gous anu iuols.
When We ietuineu fiom theie, We went to see the Acauemy anu vaiious
museums. 0n the 1Sth Nahase (= 19th August) they showeu 0s vaiious uisplays
of gymnastics at a place calleu the stauium as well as seveial kinus of militaiy
paiaues.

Towaius evening We went to see Athens 0niveisity, anu the heau of the
0niveisity, Nonsieui Bimetii Papapouleas, stanuing at an elevateu place, maue
the following speech:

'Youi Bighness!

It is in the miust of Athens 0niveisity that the soul of uieece is being ievealeu.
This evening we aie pleaseu to welcome the iepiesentative of a people tieu to
uieece by insepaiable ties anu by a fiienuship that is baseu on ancient histoiical
tiauitions.

Youi Bighness' piesence amongst us is apt to stiengthen anu to ienew those
memoiies of 16uu yeais.

Two uieeks, the sons of Neiopius the meichant, Fiumentius anu Aeuesius, weie
taken piisonei at the Ethiopian seaboaiu anu thus enteieu the countiy. They
founueu the Chuich of Ethiopia by teaching the countiy's inhabitants anu by
becoming apostles of the faith.

Youi Bighness, the affection which binus the two countiies togethei began at
that time. In the yeai S2S Athanasius, the gieat bishop of Chiistian uieece,
bestoweu at Alexanuiia the name of founuei of the Chuich of Ethiopia upon
Fiumentius anu uiu so with gieat gloiy. Anu he also anointeu him bishop of the
Ethiopian Chuich.

Again, in a uiffeient context, Beliouoius of Emesa iefeis to these histoiical
memoiies in the book of iomance which he wiote. In this book he piesents the
Ethiopian king's uaughtei as beautiful anu comely.

The Ethiopians weie veiy well known to Bomei anu to Beiouotus who iefeis to
them in his histoiy anu to Stiabo who speaks about them a gieat ueal in his
geogiaphy. By viitue of these olu tiauitions the kings of mouein Ethiopia have
always cultivateu tiue fiienuship with uieece. Above all, Empeioi Yohannes anu
Empeioi Nenelik have utteieu woius of sinceie affection foi oui countiy in
exchanges of letteis with the uieek uoveinment.

Youi Bighness! 0ui biotheis who live in youi countiy aie always telling us with
feelings of ueep giatituue of the welcome anu fiienuship they have encounteieu
among youi people. This goes so fai that it is viitually gianteu to them to be like
biotheis. We aic veiy glau, theiefoie, to ieceive touay as guest amongst us the
iepiesentative of this people.

uieek wiiteis, who have uesciibeu the uetails of theii jouineys anu whose books
aie ieau with benefit, have emphatically shown the extieme natuial beauty of
Ethiopia. They have uesciibeu the uiffeient kinus of aii cuiients, tiees, anu
leaves as well as the beauty of the sun which, thiough its light, ieveals the beauty
of the countiy.

Youi Bighness! Foi a long time now the uieeks have consiueieu eveiything that
is goou foi youi countiy as theii own auvantage. Each time they finu an
oppoitunity they affiim the thoughts of fiienuship which they have foi the kings
of Ethiopia anu foi the people.

This feeling uoes not only aiise fiom the fiienuship which you have foi us. What
we have achieveu in oui past histoiy anu by oui chaiactei is uue to oui iespect
foi the supiemeness of leaining anu complete love of fieeuom to the point of
heioism. Theiefoie, it is not at all a stiange thing foi us to consoliuate oui
fiienuship foi the Ethiopian people thiough the stuuy which oui histoiy affoius
us.

We aie awaie that Ethiopia's success in guaiuing hei inuepenuence at all times
aiises fiom the mountains which have been given to hei by natuie anu which
sepaiate hei fiom all the othei Afiican countiies. It is piopei to say that Ethiopia
has been the bastion of Chiistianity foi moie than a millennium among the
savages anu pagans in the aiiu ueseit. Bomei saiu of the Ethiopians that they
excelleu above otheis. Biouoius speaks of theii viitue. Be aumiies theii fight foi
theii fieeuom.

At the time of Alexanuei the uieat anu his heiis uieek cultuie hau enteieu
Ethiopia anu hau openeu a new ioau of civilization. It left wiitten monuments (a
map) which uemonstiate its piogiess. The Ptolemies anu the Byzantine kings
uesiieu the Ethiopian people to establish a basis anu to extenu theii iule up to
the Reu Sea. When Byzantium fought with the Peisians, it thiew into the battle
the might of the Ethiopians. Youi Bighness' countiy was a ciossioaus anu
meeting point of the civilizeu nations in the Neuiteiianean anu Inuian aieas.
Since the uieeks weie at that time helu in gieat honoui in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian
kings aie saiu to have known the uieek language.

Accoiuing to those who have stuuieu the histoiy of the Ethiopian Chuich, in the
fouith centuiy this Chuich, stiong in its faith, was uoing eveiything that was
necessaiy to enable the Chiistian ieligion to spieau ovei all the uistant lanus in
Afiica. But the iise of Islam anu its constant anu piogiessive giowth gieatly
weakeneu the stiength of the Ethiopian people as Islam uefeateu, by the foice of
the swoiu, the countiies in Noith Afiica. But eventually, uefenuing themselves
with the heioism which ueiives fiom theii natuie, the Ethiopians oveicame the
might of the Nuslims. They built once again the Chuich of Aksum at the place to
which the Nuslims hau set fiie. It may be saiu that the iebuiluing of this Chuich
is a gieat goou foitune anu luck foi Ethiopia.

By the intelligence of its kings anu iuleis since the last centuiy, this countiy has
once again taken the ioau of ienewal. It is this ioau of ienewal that is leauing this
beloveu anu couiageous people towaius national unity in equality.

The 0niveisity of Athens, at this place wheie the leaueis of the uieek people aic
assembleu, gieets the couiageous iulei of the Ethiopian people, the son of
Nakonnen.' Be concluueu by saying:

'The uieek people iequest that you will accept theii best wishes foi the
piospeiity of the Ethiopian people as well as theii fiim iesolve foi a piogiessive
stiengthening of the ties of fiienuship which exist between the two nations.'

We weie pleaseu to heai these woius of fiienuship gleaneu fiom ancient histoiy
anu expiesseu 0ui piofounu giatituue; We then ietuineu to the palace.

0n the moiiow We went to visit, togethei with Aichbishop Chiysostomos anu
with othei scholais veiy knowleugeable in histoiy, the Aieopagus wheie St. Paul
instiucteu the Athenians. The place is in the vicinity of the Aciopolis. The
Aichbishop spoke at length about the histoiy of this locality, citing the Acts of the
Apostles.

We hau, of couise, fiequently ieau in histoiy-books of Athens as the fount of
wisuom anu leaining anu now We weie glau to see it with 0ui own eyes.

0f all the things We hau seen at Athens, the following aie the main memoiies We
have ietaineu in 0ui heait:

The temples of gous anu iuols of the Aciopolis, the Aieopagus, the Acauemy anu
vaiious museums, the Libiaiy, the 0niveisity, the gymnastics uisplays anu the
militaiy paiaue at the Stauium, the theatie of Beioues Atticus by the iuins of the
Aciopolis, anu the fiiewoiks piojecteu into the aii, by the seashoie at Phaleion,
spieau out in the sky in the shape of the Ethiopian flag.

Chaptei 21 - Retuining fiom Athens home to Ethiopia

SINCE it hau been 0ui long-stanuing concein that the pioblem which hau aiisen
between us anu oui fatheis in faith, the Copts, as iegaius the place of oui
}eiusalem Convent, shoulu be iesolveu in a fiienuly mannei, We hau maue
wiitten submissions to the Aichbishop at the time of 0ui visit to }eiusalem. Be
hau given 0s the ieply that he woulu ieflect upon the mattei, anu We theiefoie
ueciueu to go fiom Athens to Caiio in oiuei to asceitain the outcome of the
pioblem, in case he hau peihaps been able to consiuei it alieauy. 0n the 1Sth
Nahase (= 21st August) We set out fiom Athens anu tiavelleu to Alexanuiia by a
ship calleu 'Bespeiia', foi We meant to uiscuss this pioblem of oui convent at a
meeting with the Patiiaich, Abuna Qeiillos.

Fiom Alexanuiia We went to Caiio, anu aftei We hau met the Patiiaich, Abuna
Qeiillos, We weie tolu that the uelibeiations about the pioblem of 0ui }eiusalem
Convent hau not yet been concluueu by the counsellois of the synou, anu
theiefoie We felt veiy uistiesseu. But the time hau uefinitely come foi 0s to
ietuin home; consequently, We left someone behinu who woulu convey to 0s the
news, once he hau heaiu the outcome of the mattei; We then infoimeu the
Patiiaich of 0ui intention to uepait, took 0ui leave, anu subsequently tiavelleu
to Suez. 0n Nahase 21st (= 27th August), We embaikeu at Suez on a ship of the
Nessageiies Company calleu 'Chili' (.) anu ieacheu }ibuti on Nahase 2Sth (= S1st
August).

Bejazmatch (now Ras) uetatchaw anu Qagnazmatch (now Bejazmatch) Amue,
anu Bajeionu Sahla Bengel, who hau come as emissaiies fiom B.N. Queen
Zawuitu to welcome 0s at }ibuti, boaiueu the ship, anu aftei meeting 0s hanueu
to 0s a lettei fiom Bei Najesty Queen Zawuitu. Its text was as follows:

The Lion of the Tiibe of }uuah has pievaileu.

Elect of uou, Zawuitu

Empiess of Ethiopia

Nay it ieach my son, B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen, Ciown Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent
Plenipotentiaiy. Bow have you been. I, thanks be to uou, am well.

While I was uistiesseu about youi toiling in stiange anu hot countiies, when you
weie thinking only of oui countiy's fieeuom, iespect, anu honoui, I am now veiy
pleaseu about youi safe ietuin. Thanks aie uue to uou foi youi ietuin, alive, to
Ethiopia, youi heiitage, aftei visiting all the countiies we hau pioposeu.
Noieovei, as this youi piesent jouiney to Euiope was a fiist-time expeiience, we
hau been veiy anxious, but now, with youi safe ietuin, the entiie Ethiopian
people must be pleaseu. Baving aiiiveu thus in peace, may Be giant that we may
soon see each othei with oui own eyes. Bejazmatch uetatchaw, Bajeionu Sahla
Bengel, anu Qagnazmatch Amue have come as oui emissaiies to welcome you.

Wiitten at Auuis Ababa on 19th Nahase 1916 (= 2Sth August 1924).

We uepaiteu fiom }ibuti on Nahase 26th (= 1st Sept.), pauseu foi a uay at Biie
Bawa, anu enteieu Auuis Ababa on the 29th (= 4th Sept.).

At the iailway station, the foieign uiplomatic coips in full, Aichbishop Abuna
Nattewos togethei with the hieiaichy, ministeis anu aimy officeis, anu the
people of the city, piesseu foi space, weie waiting anu ieceiveu 0s with joy as
the gun announcing 0ui aiiival was fiieu.

When We enteieu the Palace, We piesenteu to B.N. Queen Zawuitu 0ui
affectionate anu iespectful gieetings; anu afteiwaius We ueliveieu the following
speech:

Youi Najesty!

When we exploie Ethiopian histoiy, the wiitings of gieat histoiians convincingly
piove to us that Ethiopia has gieatei antiquity than most countiies anu that she
was honouieu foi wisuom anu leaining.

0ui Kebia Nagast testifies that, when the Queen of Sheba went to }eiusalem to
heai Solomon's wisuom, she piesenteu to him vaiious gifts she hau biought. This
pioves to us Ethiopia's antiquity anu hei wisuom.

Again, the fact that oui fatheis, the kings of Ethiopia, having ciosseu the sea,
weie goveining the Aiab countiy calleu Yemen uemonstiates that, accoiuing to
histoiy, Ethiopia was a poweiful nation.

But because wais with the pagans living all aiounu Ethiopia uevelopeu fiom time
to time to Ethiopia's uetiiment, she faileu to finu piopitious oppoitunities to get
maikeuly closei to foieign goveinments.

Bis Najesty, youi fathei, the gieat Nenelik II, togethei with the mighty ones who
suppoiteu his thione, conqueieu once moie all the teiiitoiies that hau been lost
anu maue Ethiopia as fai-flung as she hau been in the past. Be uiu eveiything
possible to biing about a iappiochement with foieign goveinments.

Bis choice foi this task, in the fiist place, of my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, who
was his biothei anu seivant, shows us that theie was gieat mutual tiust between
the two.

Anu now, when Youi Najesty was meaning to manifest to the whole woilu
Ethiopia's inuepenuence, the whole woilu was impiesseu by youi wish that I,
youi son, shoulu go to Euiope anu meet its kings anu uiaw closei to them. You
coulu not fail to have heaiu the news that on these occasions Ethiopia was
gieatly honouieu anu that Youi Najesty's name was much piaiseu.

I expiess the hope that hencefoith Ethiopia, in euucating anu civilizing hei sons,
will attain as high a level as she hau in hei past. I have to infoim you that the
kings anu piesiuents of Euiope have iequesteu that I shoulu piesent to Youi
Najesty theii gieetings coupleu with theii giatituue.

Aftei this the Tsahafe Te'ezaz, on behalf of B.N. the Queen, ieau the following
speech:

'0h Ciown Piince my son!

We took leave of each othei with giief anu teais when you left to meet the kings
of Euiope foi the sake of the piospeiity of oui countiy anu the benefit of oui
people. But now that you have ietuineu safely anu I have seen youi face, I
piesent thanks to uou. Let this uay be blesseu.

Although oui countiy Ethiopia is ancient, it is tiue that she iemaineu uistant
fiom the kings of foieign countiies because foi much of the time she was
suiiounueu by pagans. But latei, when my fathei Nenelik II hau concluueu the
conquest anu pacification of the suiiounuing teiiitoiies which his fatheis hau
alieauy initiateu, he intenueu to uiaw closei to foieign goveinments. Be
theiefoie selecteu youi fathei, Ras Nakonnen, fiom among the piinces anu
nobles anu sent him to countiies which he uiu not know. Ras Nakonnen
establisheu fiienuly ielations with theii kings, caiiieu out the wishes of Nenelik
II, anu then ietuineu home.

Anu you my tiusteu son went, like youi fathei, to countiies you uiu not know
anu patiently enuuieu the tuibulence of the sea anu the heat of the sun, caiiying
out the plan which we hau ueviseu foi the piospeiity of oui countiy anu the
goou foitune of oui people; you extenueu the fiienuship anu affection of kings
which hau existeu of olu, anu now I am veiy pleaseu about youi ietuin aftei
caiiying out my wishes.

Ethiopia piesents hei joyful thanks to uou. Piaise be to uou, foi all of you,
piinces anu nobles, who tiavelleu togethei have now safely ietuineu without
anyone of you missing.' Be concluueu by saying: 'I beg oui Cieatoi that
hencefoith Be shoulu assist you to think about anu to peiseveie in eveiything
that is piopei foi the benefit of oui people anu foi the piospeiity of oui
countiyas inueeu you have witnesseu abioau.'

Aftei this We went to 0ui home; anu as We founu all 0ui family safe anu well,
We piesenteu thanks to uou.

Chaptei 22 - About the convention foi mutual assistance between the Biitish
uoveinment, as iegaius the baiiage at Lake Tana, anu the Italian uoveinment, as
iegaius the constiuction of a iailway fiom the boiuei of Eiitiea, cutting thiough
the miuule of Ethiopia, to Ita

TBE Biitish uoveinment, in 189S (= 19u2) uespatcheu Lt. Col. }ohn Lane
Baiiington as special envoy, anu, in an accoiu between the Biitish Suuan
uoveinment anu Empeioi Nenelik, it was agieeu that the Ethiopian uoveinment
woulu not peimit obstiucting the flow of the Sobat iivei anu othei small iiveis
enteiing the Abbay, i.e. Blue Nile. Because Empeioi Nenelik hau appioveu this
accoiu, the envoy hau given wiitten assuiances (by lettei only) to the effect that
the Biitish Suuan uoveinment woulu pay the Ethiopian uoveinment annually
1u,uuu guineas. Anu subsequently they saiu: 'Nay peimission be gianteu to us to
iegulate the flow of the wateis by builuing a baiiage at Lake Tana, foi the wateis
of the Nile aie low in the summei anu plentiful in the wintei.' 0nce peimission
hau been gianteu to them they piomiseu to senu engineeis, lest the wateis
having incieaseu with the builuing of the Lake Tana baiiageshoulu peihaps
uiown the islanus anu the chuiches situateu in Lake Tana; they woulu then
piesent a iepoit to the Ethiopian uoveinment; anu the engineeis weie inueeu
sent in 1899 (= 19u6).

Subsequently, aftei the uieat Wai in 1912 (= 1919), the Italian uoveinment
uespatcheu envoys to Lonuon anu piesenteu a pioposal foi mutual assistance in
connexion with the Biitish uoveinment's Lake Tana uam anu the Italian
uoveinment's constiuction of a iailway fiom the boiuei of Eiitiea anu cutting
thiough the centie of Ethiopia. But as the Biitish uoveinment hau begun to
negotiate uiiect with the Ethiopian uoveinment, the pioposals which the Italian
uoveinment hau piesenteu to it iemaineu foi the time being unacceptable.

Latei on, in 1916 (= 1924), when We came to Lonuon as guest of B.N. King
ueoige v, We hau uiscussions at an inteiview with Ni. NacBonalu, the Piime
Ninistei, in oiuei to concluue negotiations ovei some matteis of concein to both
goveinments. When the Piime Ninistei piesenteu to 0s a iequest to the effect
that he woulu welcome it if We alloweu the Lake Tana uam scheme to be caiiieu
out (which the Biitish Suuan uoveinment hau pieviously initiateu), We
explaineu to him 0ui pioposal that, once we hau ouiselves causeu the Lake Tana
uam to be constiucteu by well-known engineeis, it seemeu to 0s a goou thing if
we weie to lease it to Biitain, embouying it in a tieaty in which the inteiests of
both goveinments woulu be fiimly safeguaiueu.

When Ni. NacBonalu saiu 'It is oui pleasuie to accept this pioposal of youis,
pioviueu you infoim us in auvance fiom which countiy you will appoint the
engineeis anu allow us to make the choice'auuing at once 'won't you appoint
engineeis fiom the 0niteu States of Ameiica.'; We accepteu with pleasuie anu
agieeu oially on the main matteis; anu a few weeks latei We confiimeu this to
him in wiiting. But when the Italian uoveinment heaiu of the uecision as iegaius
the Lake Tana uam, aftei uiiect uiscussions between the Biitish uoveinment anu
0uiselves, it piesseu the Biitish uoveinment once again in 1918 (= 192S) not to
lose sight of the pioposal that the Biitish uoveinment shoulu assist the Italians
to builu the iailway fiom the boiuei of Eiitiea, cutting thiough the miuule of
Ethiopia, up to Italian Somalilanu; anu as a iesult the Italian uoveinment
negotiateu anu agieeu with the Biitish uoveinment, at Rome, that the pioposal
which it hau pieviously initiateu in 1912 (= 1919) be implementeu; an exchange
of coiiesponuence ensueu which embouieu the text of the agieement. The two
goveinments aiiangeu foi the text of the agieement, though allegeuly only an
exchange of coiiesponuence, to be iegisteieu with the League of Nations at
ueneva. While they uiu this, they uiu not infoim, even by a single woiu, the
soveieign Ethiopian uoveinment. The following is the text of the letteis of
agieement which weie exchangeu.

Sii Ronalu uiaham to N. Nussolini. Rome 2uth Becembei 192S.

Youi Excellency cannot fail to be awaie of the veiy gieat benefit foi Egypt anu
the Suuan in pieventing an inteiiuption in the flow of the watei, anu inueeu in
biinging about an inciease in the flow as fai as possible, because the watei fiom
the White anu Blue Niles anu theii tiibutaiy stieams is necessaiy foi iiiigation.
vaiious pioposals which hau pieviously been ueciueu upon with this enu in view
aie now being caiiieu out; anu otheis aie being given consiueiation.

Youi Excellency is awaie of the talks which the Biitish uoveinment has initiateu
at Auuis Ababa, in view of its fiuuciaiy iesponsibility foi Egypt anu the Suuan
anu minuful in this iespect of the value to Egypt. The basis of the uiscussions is
to collect the wateis by builuing a uam, unuei concession fiom the Ethiopian
uoveinment, at Lake Tana anu its shoie anu to supply this watei to the White
Nile. 0p to now these talks have iemaineu without any iesult.

In Novembei 1919 (= Beuai 1912), when Italian envoys weie in Lonuon, they
hau piesenteu an offei of help, which the Italian uoveinment woulu extenu in
iegaiu to this mattei, in the following teims:

'When the Biitish uoveinment, minuful of the gieat value of the wateis of Lake
Tana, iequests a concession fiom the Ethiopian uoveinment foi the constiuction
of a baiiage at Lake Tana, in the pait given ovei to Italian inteiests, the Italian
uoveinment will suppoit uieat Biitain. This is penuing the uelimitation of the
zone given ovei to Biitish inteiests anu penuing a full investigation of the
ieseivation which Italy iequiies unuei the teims of the Tiipaitite Agieement.

When the Biitish uoveinment asks the Ethiopian uoveinment foi a concession to
constiuct a motoi ioau fiom Lake Tana to the Suuan, it may iequest the Italian
uoveinment to suppoit it. This iailway, accoiuing to the Tiipaitite Agieement,
will pass to the west (sic) of Auuis Ababa. All the woiks necessaiy foi the
constiuction of this iailway shall have a fiee passage acioss the above
mentioneu motoi ioau.

Italy iequests Biitain to suppoit with the Ethiopian uoveinment all iequests
which she may submit foi exclusive economic iights in the west of Ethiopia anu
in the teiiitoiy thiough which the afoiementioneu iailway will pass anu foi
obtaining economic concessions in the Italian zone. She ieseives the iight to
piesent the iuentical iequest to Fiance.'

The above pioposal was not founu acceptable at that time. The chief ieason was
that a stiong objection aiose against any one foieign goveinment whatsoevei
contiolling the souice of iiveis so vital to the piospeiity of Egypt anu the Suuan
anu inueeu to theii veiy life. But by viitue of the foitunate existence of mutual
tiust between oui two goveinments, B.N.'s uoveinment uesiie to apply this to
othei matteis as well. Theiefoie B.B.N.'s uoveinment have examineu the
pioblem once moie.

The Biitish uoveinment is convinceu that the pioposal which Italy has submitteu
uocs not conflict with the piovisions of the agieement concluueu in Lonuon on
1Sth Becembei 19u6 (= 4 Tahsas 1899), since its object was to maintain the
status quo in Ethiopia on the basis of the inteinational tieaties noteu in aiticle I
of the agieement as well as to piotect the iespective inteiests of the signatoiy
goveinments, lest they shoulu suffei uamage on theii pait.

Consequently, B.B.N.'s uoveinment woulu welcome the offei of suppoit maue by
Italy, pioviueu theie iemain unaffecteu the wateis in which Egypt anu the Suuan
have such an inteiest anu which the Ethiopian uoveinment has long iecognizeu.

Theiefoie, I have the honoui to iequest Youi Excellency, on behalf of Bis
Najesty's Piincipal Secietaiy of State foi Foieign Affaiis, to suppoit anu to assist
the iequest with the Ethiopian uoveinment at Auuis Ababa to giant a concession
anu to peimit B.B.N.'s uoveinment to constiuct anu to maintain a motoi ioau on
which to tianspoit equipment anu peisonnel anu the like fiom the Suuan boiuei
up to the baiiage.

In ietuin foi this, B.B.N.'s uoveinment aie piepaieu to suppoit the iequest
which the Italian uoveinment will submit to the Ethiopian uoveinment to obtain
a concession to builu anu to extenu a iailway fiom Eiitiea to the fiontiei of
Italian Somalilanu. This iailway, as well as all the opeiations necessaiy to
constiuct anu to extenu it, may cioss fieely the above mentioneu motoi ioau.

Theiefoie, in oiuei that both the Biitish anu the Italian uoveinments shoulu
simultaneously obtain the concessions which they aie seeking as iegaius Lake
Tana anu the iailway link fiom Eiitiea to Italian Somalilanu, it is necessaiy that
iuentical instiuctions be uespatcheu to the Biitish anu Italian iepiesentatives in
Ethiopia that they shoulu collaboiate anu consult togethei. If one of the two
goveinments obtains the concession it seeks anu the othei iemains unsuccessful,
the goveinment which has obtaineu its aims woulu unceasingly stiive with all
vigoui that the othei shoulu likewise succeeu.

If B.B.N.'s uoveinment, with the valueu assistance of the Italian uoveinment,
obtain the uesiieu Lake Tana concession, then they aie piepaieu to iecognize
that Italy shall be the economic beneficiaiy in westein Ethiopia anu the
afoiementioneu aiea. Fuitheimoie, since B.B.N.'s uoveinment unueitake to
suppoit all Italian iequests to obtain economic concessions in the above-
mentioneu zone, the Italian uoveinment on its pait, while iecognizing the
hyuiaulic iights which Egypt anu the Suuan possess, enteis into an obligation
not to constiuct a uam upon the souices of the White anu Blue Niles oi on the
souices of theii tiibutaiies, noi to caiiy out any woik that woulu impeue oi
uiminish the flow of the wateis into the main iivei. Notwithstanuing this, the
inhabitants in those iegions may utilize the watei, constiuct pools to collect the
watei, ieceive anything foi uiinking oi agiicultuie oi foouciops foi the local
inhabitants, constiuct uams foi hyuioelectiic powei oi utilize the wateis in
minoi tiibutaiies.

B.B.N.'s uoveinment take this oppoitunity of assuiing the Italian uoveinment
that the Lake Tana baiiage anu the hyuiaulic woik will be caiiieu out, as fai as
possible, with locally ieciuiteu laboui anu that the collection of watei by the
baiiage will not exceeu the amount collecteu hitheito |in the lakej uuiing the
iainy season. B.B.N.'s uoveinment aie, theiefoie, convinceu that the
constiuction of this uam, quite apait fiom being of benefit to Egypt anu the
Suuan, will also inciease the piospeiity of the iegion anu will piogiessively help
to eniich economically the local inhabitants.

(signeu) R. uiaham.

Rome, 2uth Becembei 192S (= nth Tahsas 1918)

To B.E. the Special Envoy, Sii R. uiaham. I have ieceiveu anu attentively stuuieu
the lettei which Youi Excellency, unuei instiuctions fiom youi goveinment,
wiote to me on Sth Tahsas (= 14th Becembei, 192S) conceining the iiiigation of
Egypt anu the Suuan as well as the mattei which has iemaineu hitheito
unaccomplisheu owing to ineitia on the pait of the Ethiopian uoveinment, i.e. to
cause a fullei flow of the Blue Nile by the constiuction of a baiiage on Lake Tana.

Youi Excellency is not unawaie of the pioposals which the Italian envoys
piesenteu in Lonuon in Novembei 1919 (= Beuai 1912) foi a fiienuly Anglo-
Italian co-opeiation in iegaiu to this, but these iemaineu unacceptable at that
time because they iaiseu concein ovei peimitting a foieign powei to exeicise
contiol ovei iiveis anu souices so veiy essential to the piospeiity of Egypt anu
the Suuan anu inueeu even to theii veiy existence.

Youi Excellency fuithei infoims me that B.B.N.'s uoveinment, aftei stuuying this
iequest moie piofounuly, accept that theie is nothing in the Italian pioposals
which contiauicts the agieement concluueu in Lonuon on 1Sth Becembei 19u6
(= 4th Tahsas 1899) unuei which the signatoiy goveinments aie agieeu to
maintain the status quo in Ethiopia, without abanuoning the basis of
inteinational law as inuicateu in aiticle I of the accoiu, anu to piotect theii
iespective inteiests. Foi this ieason the Biitish uoveinment, auheiing to the
Italian pioposals, accept Italian suppoit with pleasuie. This suppoit in no way
affects the existing piincipal hyuiaulic inteiests of Egypt anu the Suuan which
the Italian uoveinment itself has iecognizeu. Thus Youi Excellency, upon
instiuctions fiom youi goveinment, iequests that the Italian uoveinment shoulu
assist anu suppoit the Biitish uoveinment in its uemanu of the Ethiopian
uoveinment to constiuct a baiiage upon Lake Tana anu a motoi ioau fiom the
Suuan boiuei to the uam foi the tianspoit of foou, equipment, woikmen, anu all
similai things. Youi Excellency infoims me that, in exchange foi this action by
the Italian uoveinment, the Biitish uoveinment in its tuin will assist the Italian
uoveinment when it iequests the Ethiopian uoveinment foi an extension, foi its
own benefit, of the iailway fiom the fiontiei of Eiitiea to that of Italian
Somalilanu as well as foi a tieaty which pioviues foi fiee tiansit, acioss the
afoiementioneu motoi ioau, foi eveiything neeueu foi the constiuction of the
iailway anu its piopei use. With this enu in view, the necessaiy iuentical
instiuctions have been tiansmitteu to the Biitish anu Italian iepiesentatives in
Ethiopia.

Youi Excellency infoims me that it is essential that the Biitish anu Italian
uoveinments shoulu unueitake to iequest the Ethiopian uoveinment upon the
mattei on which they aie both agieeu, i.e. as iegaius Lake Tana anu the iailway
linking Eiitiea anu Italian Somalilanu.

In case one goveinment obtains the concession it seeks, while the othei fails to
uo so, the successful goveinment shall extenu all possible help, without ielaxing
its effoits, to the unsuccessful one until it likewise achieves its puipose.

Fuitheimoie, Youi Excellency infoims me that, if B.B.N.'s uoveinment is able to
obtain, with the assistance of the Italian uoveinment, the concession which it
seeks fiom the Ethiopian uoveinment as iegaius Lake Tana, the Biitish
uoveinment, on its pait, will then iecognize Italy's special economic influence in
westein Ethiopia anu in the entiie aiea which the afoiementioneu iailway
tiaveises. In auuition the Biitish uoveinment will suppoit eveiy iequest which
the Italian uoveinment makes in the afoiementioneu zone as iegaius economic
concessions. Nonetheless, this agieement anu negotiation will come into foice
only on the unueistanuing that the Italian uoveinment, while iecognizing the
longstanuing assignment of wateis to the Suuan, will entei into an obligation not
to constiuct on the souices of the Blue anu White Niles anu theii tiibutaiies any
kinu of woik that might impeue theii flow into the main iivei. Youi Excellency
infoims me that, notwithstanuing any of the conuitions outlineu above, the local
inhabitants may make use of the wateis to a ieasonable extent foi anything
iequiieu foi uiinking, uomestic neeus, oi agiicultuie as well as stoiing wateis
foi hainessing electiic powei oi similai essential puiposes.

Fuitheimoie, Youi Excellency, upon instiuctions ieceiveu fiom youi
goveinment, infoims the Italian uoveinment that foi the constiuction of the
baiiage anu the ioau the laboui employeu will as fai as possible be locally
ieciuiteu anu that the level of the lake will not be alloweu to exceeu the pievious
maximum attaineu uuiing the iainy season. Finally, the Biitish uoveinment is
convinceu that the constiuction of this uam will be beneficial not only foi Egypt
anu the Suuan but will biing piospeiity anu economic uevelopment to the people
of the iegion.

In ieply to the above claiifications anu iequests which Youi Excellency has maue
to me, anu since the Biitish uoveinment iecognizes it now being oppoitune to
extenu to the afoiementioneu question the piinciple of fiienuly co-opeiation
which has become so piecious in all othei aieas, I woulu infoim Youi Excellency
that, while the Royal uoveinment is veiy happy to accept the pioposals, I
consiuei that this agieement will be the moie useful the moie wiuely applieu it
is.

The Royal (Italian) uoveinment consiueis it fiimly establisheu that B.B.N.'s
uoveinment is now convinceu that the (Italian) pioposals piesenteu in
Novembei 1919 (= Beuai 1912) uo not contiauict the woiuing of the agieement
ieacheu in Lonuon on 1S Becembei 19u6 (= 4 Tahsas 1899)as inueeu Italy has
always fiimly maintaineu it being the main aim of these pioposals to maintain
the status quo in Ethiopia on the basis of inteinational instiuments embouieu in
aiticle I of the agieement, while the signatoiy goveinments weie collaboiating
lest anything shoulu auveisely affect theii iespective inteiests.

This being so, although the pioposals piesenteu in Lonuon in Novembei 1919
anu outlineu above aie ieckoneu to be pait of a wiuei agieement of a colonial
natuie ueiiving fiom the tieaties signeu in Lonuon in Becembei 19u6 anu
although theie weie only a few points of this agieement that have been
effectively caiiieu out, the Royal Italian uoveinment is willing to iaise the mattei
once again, paiticulaily since the Biitish uoveinment uesiies to apply the
piinciple of fiienuly co-opeiation, a uesiie which Italy shaies. Fuitheimoie, we
aie hoping that the inteiests of Biitain anu Italy in Ethiopia will be piopeily
uevelopeu anu piotecteu without tiansgiessing the tieaty concluueu in Lonuon
in Becembei 19u6, a tieaty which foims the basis of this agieement. To this enu
the Italian uoveinment will assist the Biitish uoveinment when it iequests a
concession to constiuct a baiiage at Lake Tana anu a motoi ioau fiom the Suuan
fiontiei to the uam foi the tianspoit of foou anu equipment.

Fuitheimoie, the Italian uoveinment takes fiim note of the offei of help by the
Biitish uoveinment as iegaius the foimei's iequest of the Ethiopian
uoveinment to extenu the iailway fiom the fiontiei of Eiitiea to Italian
Somalilanu anu to builu stations (.) as well as to obtain fiee tiansit foi
eveiything iequiieu foi the constiuction of this iailway acioss the
afoiementioneu motoi ioau.

To this enu the Italian uoveinment will tiansmit the necessaiy instiuctions to its
iepiesentative at Auuis Ababa, coinciuing with the instiuctions given to its
iepiesentative by the Biitish uoveinment, so that the concessions which the
Biitish anu Italian uoveinments aie seeking as iegaius Lake Tana anu the iail
link between Eiitiea anu Italian Somalilanu be gianteu to them both togethei. In
case one goveinment obtains the concession it seeks, while the othei fails to uo
so, the successful one shall piess its assistance unceasingly until the othei
achieves satisfaction, so that both obtain theii concessions togethei, if at all
possible.

If B.B.N.'s uoveinment succeeus in obtaining, with the aiu of the Italian
uoveinment, the concession iegaiuing Lake Tana which it seeks fiom the
Ethiopian uoveinment, Biitain will likewise iecognize Italian economic
pieponueiance in westein Ethiopia anu in the above-mentioneu aiea which the
iailway tiaveises; she will also suppoit the Italian uoveinment in all its iequests
of the Ethiopian uoveinment as iegaius concessions in the afoiementioneu zone.

The Italian uoveinment, on its pait, iecognizing the long-establisheu hyuiaulic
iights of Egypt anu the Suuan, enteis into an obligation not to constiuct any
woik on the souices of the White anu Blue Niles anu theii tiibutaiies that might
impeue the flow into the main iivei.

As iegaius hyuiaulic inteiests, I am confiuent that the Biitish uoveinment has
the fiim intention to iespect the long-establisheu state of affaiis of the people
iesiuent in the aujacent teiiitoiies ieckoneu to be within the spheie of special
Italian influence. This pioject, to the utmost possible extent anu as fai as can be
ieconcileu with the piincipal inteiests of Egypt anu the Suuan, shall be caiiieu
out on the basis of the utmost possible satisfaction of the economic iequiiements
of these local populations.

Please accept my iespectful gieetings.

(signeu) Nussolini.

When the Biitish anu Italian Ninisteis at Auuis Ababa accoiuing to the
instiuctions which they hau ieceiveu fiom theii iespective goveinments
conceining this matteipiesenteu to 0s jointly the text of the pact about which
the two goveinments hau ieacheu agieement, We weie astonisheu at this anu
wiote to them as follows:

Tafaii Nakonnen, Ciown Piince of Ethiopia anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy, to B.E.
Ni. Chailes Bentinck, Biitish Ninistei Plenipotentiaiy.

Peace be with you! The lettei which you wiote me on 2nu Sane 1918 (= 9th }une,
1926) has ieacheu me. This lettei is wholly iuentical with the missive which B.E.
Count Colli, the Italian Ninistei, has auuiesseu to me. It infoims me of the
agieement between the two of you that the Ethiopian uoveinment shoulu giant
you concessions, i.e. foi the uamming of Lake Tana by the Biitish anu foi the
constiuction of a iailway in Ethiopia by Italy. The fact that both of you have
ieacheu agieement anu that you have consiueieu it piopei jointly to infoim 0s of
this agieement in iuentical notes, iaises some uisquieting thoughts in 0s, anu
theiefoie We shall now, fiist of all, have to take counsel about this. To this enu, it
is iight to place the mattei befoie the League of Nations, as it iequiies to be
caiefully examineu in the fiist place. 8th Sane 1918 (= 1Sth }une 1926).

A note in the same vein was wiitten to the Italian Ninistei.

Subsequently We wiote the following appeal anu piesenteu it to the Secietaiy
ueneial of the League of Nations, N. Avenol:

0ui uoveinment has iecently ieceiveu iuentical notes wiitten by both the Biitish
anu Italian goveinments infoiming 0s of theii agieement foi Biitain to uam Lake
Tana anu foi Italy to constiuct a iailway tiaveising Ethiopia.

We aie gieatly uistiesseu about this agieement being concluueu by the two
goveinments among themselves alone, without infoiming 0s, anu then simply
senuing 0s joint notifications.

When oiiginally we weie gianteu aumission to the League of Nations, we weie
tolu that all goveinments of the woilu weie ieckoneu as equal, that the
inuepenuence of all woulu be iespecteu, anu that the ultimate aim of the League
was to extenu anu to stiengthen peace among men in accoiuance with uou's will.

It uiu not seem to us piopei to allow some membeis of the League of Nations to
concluue an agieement among themselves anu to foice anothei membei to
accept theii plan, even if it uiu not affect the national inteiests of that membei.

Seconuly, it is the case that on one of the subjects, among those on which they
(Biitain anu Italy) have ieacheu agieement, the Ethiopian anu Biitish
goveinments have pieviously helu uiscussions. No uefinite answei hau been
given because the mattei unuei uiscussion hau iemaineu inconclusive anu
because we weie still uelibeiating about it. Baving agieeu among themselves to
holu uiscussions about this subject, they infoimeu us in joint notes of this theii
agieement, but the ieason that We uiu not huiiy to caiiy out what they weie
uemanuing of us, without giving it uue ieflection anu without knowing whethei
it agieeu with 0ui people's neeus, is that We cannot help consiueiing the
pioposals as highly uistuibing.

0ui people aie uesiious to uo iight; it is 0ui constant wish to leau them on the
ioau of civilization anu impiovement. But what they know of theii histoiy is that
among the foieigneis theie aie few who uo not uesiie to violate theii fiontieis
anu to impaii theii fieeuom. With uou's goouness anu the biaveiy of oui
soluieis we have always, whatevei the ciicumstances, been able to iemain upon
oui mountains piouu in oui inuepenuence.

Theiefoie, when foieigneis who wish to establish themselves, allegeuly foi
economic ieasons, in oui countiy oi in oui fiontiei aieas contiguous to theii
possessions, apply foi peimission to uo so, we have to be veiy caieful that they
uo not have political aims; anu the iecent quite unexpecteu agieement ieacheu
by them anu the pioposals they piesenteu seive, peihaps, as the best pioof of all
that such caution is justifieu. Time has not yet peimitteu us to get accustomeu so
quickly to entiiely new conuitions anu such like, foi, though oui past histoiy is
gloiious, it is not to be foigotten that it is only veiy iecently that We have begun
to follow the path of mouein civilization. Even cieation itself was not cieateu all
at once. Anu wheie is the countiy that has changeu all its woiks within one yeai.

If the countiies whose geogiaphical position has enableu them to out-uistance us
weie to give us fiienuly auvice anu the necessaiy time, thenwith oui genuine
eageinessEthiopia woulu go on impioving uninteiiupteuly to attain a highei
level in futuie just as she hau always uone in the past. But to make unuue haste
may biing the uangei of acciuents.

We shoulu wish to know whethei membeis of the League of Nations uesiie
means of coeicion to be useu against us which they woulu unuoubteuly uislike if
applieu against themselves.

I have the honoui to infoim all the honouiable goveinments who aie membeis
of the League of Nations of those notifications which We have ieceiveu, so that
they be appiiseu of the fact that the pioposals aie incompatible with 0ui
countiy's inuepenuence, in paiticulai when it is stateu that a pait of 0ui
possessions is to be given ovei to the economic influence of a ceitain gieat
Powei.

Since We aie awaie that economic anu political influence aie closely bounu up
togethei, it is 0ui uuty to piesent a stiong piotest, because in 0ui opinion this
agieement is incompatible with the basic iuea of the League of Nations.

Auuis Ababa, 12th Sane 1918 (= 19th }une 1926).

Aftei this note of appeal of 0uis hau ieacheu the League of Nations anu the
subject hau been stuuieu, the text of the iequest was sent to the two
goveinments conceineu; anu subsequently the Biitish uoveinment ieplieu as
follows:

Lonuon, Siu August 1926 (= 27 Bamle 1918)

To the Secietaiy ueneial of the League of Nations.

0n behalf of B.B.N.'s Piincipal Secietaiy of State foi Foieign Affaiis I have
ieceiveu copy of the note which the Impeiial Ethiopian Ciown Piince, Tafaii
Nakonnen, auuiesseu to Sii Eiic Biummonu as well as youi own iespecteu lettei
of 1Sth Bamle (= 22nu }uly) ielating to the piotest submitteu by B.I.B. as iegaius
the agieement between the Biitish anu Italian goveinments of Becembei 192S
(= Tahsas 1918) by which the two goveinments contiacteu to assist each othei
when seeking the peimission of the Ethiopian uoveinment foi ceitain kinus of
woik as specifieu in those notes.

2. Although the Biitish anu Italian Ninisteis at Auuis Ababa hau given
assuiances to the Ethiopian uoveinment when they piesenteu the notes about
which Biitain anu Italy hau agieeu, B.B.N.'s uoveinment iegiet that the coiiect
veision of these notes appeais to have been misinteipieteu anu that intentions
appeai to have been attiibuteu to the two goveinments which they uiu not, in
fact, enteitain. Accoiuing to the text of the Ethiopian piotest, it woulu appeai
that the Biitish anu Italian goveinments, having put theii signatuies to a tieaty,
aie intent upon foicing theii pioposals on a membei of the League, although
these pioposals aie incompatible with its inteiests; they, the Ethiopians, have
iequesteu membeis of the League to state whethei it is iight that piessuie
shoulu be exeiteu upon Ethiopia which they woulu unuoubteuly finu
unacceptable if applieu to

themselves.

S. Theie is nothing at all in the Biitish anu Italian notes that might suggest
piessuie oi coeicion against the Ethiopian uoveinment. In feet, this agieement
as such, Sii Austen Chambeilain has stateu in Pailiament, was nevei uesigneu to
apply piessuie

against the Ethiopian uoveinment.

In his opinion the agieement as it stoou was in the inteiests of all thiee
goveinments, but, he auueu, the Ethiopian uoveinment weie peifectly entitleu to
be the juuge of Ethiopia's best inteiests.

Bis Najesty's Chaige u'Affaiies hau telegiaphic instiuctions tiansmitteu to him
in }uly to infoim the Beii to the Thione, Tafaii, of this statement.

4. I iefei in the following to the suggestion which has been maue that the
Biitish anu Italian goveinments uesiieu to foice the Ethiopian uoveinment to
answei in haste the iequest maue to it, without affoiuing it the time to consiuei
the inteiests of its people. In fact, howevei, Empeioi Nenelik confiimeu in
wiiting the following statement which he hau maue oially a few uays eailiei anu
which is embouieu in notes exchangeu between the Biitish Ninistei at Auuis
Ababa anu the Ethiopian uoveinment on 18th

Nay 19u2 (= 8th uenbot 1894) :

'That theie shall not be caiiieu out, without consulting the Biitish anu the Suuan
goveinments, any soit of woik that may affect the flow of the wateis of the Blue
Nile anu of Lake Tana; but if any woik of this kinu weie planneu, all othei
obligations being equal, piefeience shall be given to the pioposals piesenteu by
B.B.N.'s uoveinment anu the Suuan uoveinment; B.I.N. Empeioi Nenelik has no
intention of giving any concession with iegaiu to the Blue Nile anu Lake Tana to
anyone except to B.B.N.'s uoveinment oi to a subject of eithei goveinment.'

Since this unueitaking pioves that Empeioi Nenelik II hau given peimission, 24
yeais ago, foi the Biitish uoveinment to constiuct a baiiage at Lake Tana, it is
now possible to examine, with the peimission anu help of the Ethiopian
uoveinment, the specific pioposals anu theii iealization as iegaius this pioject
which hau been submitteu by the Biitish uoveinment on many suitable
occasions; anu it has become possible to assess the position piopeily evei since
the engineeiing expeits who hau been uespatcheu to Lake Tana have ietuineu
with theii uetaileu finuings.

It uoes not, theiefoie, seem equitable to chaige B.B.N.'s uoveinment with acting
in unuue haste as iegaius the Lake Tana pioject.

S. In the concluuing pait of its piotest the Ethiopian uoveinment asks whethei
the Anglo-Italian note affects Ethiopia's inuepenuence, especially when it is
stipulateu that a pait of Ethiopia shall be suiienueieu to the economic influence
of a gieat Powei. In paiticulai, Sii Austen Chambeilain uesiies to make it known
emphatically that the Anglo-Italian note uoes not state that we shall ietain a pait
of Ethiopia foi Italian economic influence. It is tiue that B.B.N.'s uoveinment foi
theii own puiposes (anu Italy unuei hei tieaty obligations) iecognize Italy's
special economic influence in westein Ethiopia anu in the entiie teiiitoiy which
the afoiementioneu iailway tiaveises (joining Eiitiea anu Italian Somalilanu).
But this unueitaking uoes not impose an obligation on anything affecting the
uispositions of the thiee goveinments just because the Biitish uoveinment has
engageu not to uooi suppoit uoinganything in competition with Italy in the
aiea specifieu in ietuin foi Italian assuiances as iegaius Lake Tana.

6. Sii Austen Chambeilain will be able to submit once again the assuiances anu
pioofs which he has given to Ethiopia, so as to enable the League Council to
examine, at its foithcoming session, the note which the Ethiopian uoveinment
has sent to you.

(signeu) }ohn Nuiiay.

Foui uays aftei the Biitish uoveinment hau sent the above statement to the
League of Nations the Italian uoveinment wiote as follows:

Rome, 7th August 1926 (= 1st Nahase 1918)

I am instiucteu by the Beau of the uoveinment anu Ninistei foi Foieign Affaiis
to infoim you of the ieceipt of youi lettei of 1Sth Bamle (= 22nu }uly) last
togethei with the copy, anu enclosuies, of the piotest auuiesseu to you by Ras
Tafaii Nakonnen, Beii to the Thione of Ethiopia, as iegaius the agieement
ieacheu by the Biitish anu Italian goveinments in Becembei 192S (= Tahsas
1918) to ienuei assistance to each othei in iequesting the Ethiopian
uoveinment to caiiy out ceitain woiks in Ethiopia.

The Royal (Italian) uoveinment gieatly iegiets to obseive that the Ethiopian
uoveinment has not piopeily unueistoou the thinking embouieu in the Anglo-
Italian agieementas is inueeu shown by the substance of the note which Tafaii
Nakonnen, Beii to the Thione of Ethiopia, sent to the membeis of the League of
Nations. Noieovei, what has causeu suipiise to the Royal (Italian) uoveinment
is the fact that only a shoit time ago the Italian iepiesentative at Auuis Ababa
hau fully explaineu to the Ethiopian uoveinment the scope of the mattei in
question, pointing out the limiteu object of the uiscussions between the two
goveinments with a view to co-oiuinating some of the economic inteiests of
Biitain anu Italy; the Italian envoy also maue it cleai that the iealization of the
pioject uepenueu on the wishes of the Ethiopian uoveinment, whethei it
contiibuteu to the economic uevelopment of the countiy anu whethei it was in
confoimity with Ethiopia's best inteiests.

Following these explanations, the Beii to the Thione of Ethiopia, Tafaii
Nakonnen, wiote a lettei, uateu 12th Sane (= 19th }une), to the Italian ministei
at Auuis Ababa; in this lettei he thankeu the Beau of the Italian uoveinment foi
the assuiances given to him anu saiu he uiu not uoubt Italy's sentiments of
fiienuship anu hei willingness to honoui Ethiopia's inuepenuence. The Italian
uoveinment consiueis that theie is nothing at all that coulu justify the feais of
the Ethiopian uoveinment that the Biitish anu Italian goveinments aie planning,
in the note of agieement in question, any acts of coeicion oi piecipitate piessuie
against Ethiopia. Fuitheimoie, the fiienuly anu explicit assuiances pieviously
given to the Ethiopian uoveinment by Italy shoulu have sufficeu to convince
Ethiopia that theie is nothing to biing about such appiehensions.

The tieaty in question as iegaius the cession of economic influence to Italy in
ceitain iegions of Ethiopia, having been unueitaken specifically by the Biitish
uoveinment, is binuing solely on the Biitish anu Italian goveinments but uoes
not affect the poweis of Ethiopia noi uoes it limit any futuie action of uisposition
by the thiee goveinments.

This agieement is a kinu of economic guaiantee that the woik initiateu by Italian
young men shall be well accomplisheu anu that the iesouices founu in Ethiopia
be uevelopeu anu exploiteu without competition with Biitish enteipiises.

(signeu) uianui.

Aftei We hau seen the text of the ieplies, which these two goveinments hau
maue to the enquiiies, tiansmitteu to 0s thiough the League of Nations, We
wiote once moie as follows:

To the Secietaiy ueneial of the League of Nations. Peace be with you!

In a lettei which I wiote to you on 12th Sane (= 19th }une) I hau iequesteu you
to communicate, on oui behalf, to the membeis of the League of Nations the
piotest which it hau seemeu piopei to the Impeiial Ethiopian uoveinment to
submit as iegaius the agieement which the Biitish anu Italian goveinments hau
ieacheu on Sth anu 11th of Tahsas 1918 (= 14th anu 2uth Becembei, 192S) with
a view to exploiting theii inteiests in Ethiopia.

The Impeiial Ethiopian uoveinment was veiy piopeily uistiesseu upon leaining
of the agieement, which these two gieat Poweis hau ieacheu, to act as they
uesiieu towaius a fiienuly goveinment which, like them, is a membei of the
League of Nations, without fiist iequesting the peimission of that countiy.

If the Ethiopian uoveinment weie to fail to accept, aftei uue examination, that
this convention was in the best inteiests of Ethiopia, it consiueis that these two
Poweis woulu ceitainly exeit piessuie to obtain the economic conuitions they
hau iequesteu.

This being so, it was possible to asseit with iegaiu to piesent events that the
Anglo-Italian accoiu was not compatible, at any iate inuiiectly, with the
covenant of the League of Nations, since the Biitish anu Italian goveinments
like all the iemaining membeis of the Leaguehau unueitaken not to touch the
age-olu inuepenuence of Ethiopia oi to violate hei teiiitoiial integiity.

Accoiuing to oui opinion, unuei aiticle 2u of the covenant, it was incumbent
upon them not to entei into such an accoiu. But as it seemeu to us that they
planneu to violate that aiticle, the object of theii agieement coulu have no
valiuity with iegaiu to us anu must, theiefoie, be ieckoneu null anu voiu. If the
two gieat Poweis, on theii pait, hau not officially notifieu us on the same uay,
they woulu not have aiouseu oui anxiety. This joint notification which they
piesenteu appeaieu to us to ieveal the fiist sign of coeicion. Fiom then onwaius,
while the two gieat Poweis weie exhibiting theii fiienuly intentions when
ieplying to oui piotest, they began to stiive haiu to allay appiehensions ovei the
Ethiopian appeal. Fuitheimoie, the Biitish uoveinment took the oppoitunity
with iegaiu to this mattei of infoiming us of the explanatoiy statement which
B.E. Sii Austen Chambeilain hau maue in Pailiament. Be announceu cleaily: 'The
two goveinments have no intention of making economic uemanus upon the
countiy, anu theie is nothing in theii agieement that coulu be binuing upon the
Ethiopian uoveinment; theie is no plan to coeice the Ethiopian uoveinment, anu
it is inueeu the uoveinment of Ethiopia that must be the juuge of Ethiopia's best
inteiests.' The Italian uoveinment notifieu us in a similai vein.

Apait fiom this, the Biitish uoveinment announceu that the two gieat Poweis
intenueu to ueposit the teims of theii accoiu with the secietaiiat of the League
of Nations, anu the Impeiial Ethiopian uoveinment has leaint that iegistiation
has since taken place.

As we aie awaie that iegistiation in accoiuance with aiticle 18 of the covenant is
foi infoimation only, the Impeiial uoveinment uoes not consiuei it necessaiy to
submit a piotest about the implementation of this iequiiement. But since the
Impeiial uoveinment intenueu to fulfil the obligations embouieu in the covenant
anu to establish ielations with the nations of the woilu baseu on justice anu
honoui, it seemeu to us piopei anu in accoiuance with the iules to iequest youi
assistance in the publication of this lettei, togethei with the saiu notes, as well as
of the ieassuiing ieplies to oui piotests, so that eveiybouy may be awaie of the
position taken by the Impeiial uoveinment.

This being so, the membeis of the League of Nations will not then enteitain any
uoubt that the Ethiopian uoveinment has any tieaty obligation whatevei
towaius the two goveinments which have eailiei ueclaieu an inteiest in the
mattei anu that it possesses full poweisas inueeu the Biitish anu Italian
goveinments themselves have stateueithei to accept oi to ieject any iequests
maue to it anu that, finally, the Impeiial uoveinment is the sole juuge of what is
in Ethiopia's best inteiests.

Auuis Ababa, Suth Nahase 1918 (= 4th Septembei 1926).

As We thought that this affaii of the two goveinments ieaching agieement by
themselves (without any infoimation being pioffeieu to the Ethiopian
uoveinment) hau been uisposeu of by the League of Nations, We uiu not
consiuei that the uiscussions We hau helu with Ni. NacBonalu in 1916 (= 1924)
shoulu iemain unconcluueu; We theiefoie uespatcheu, in 192u (= 1928), Azaj
Waiqnah, whom We hau now appointeu as Ethiopian Ninistei in Lonuon, as
special envoy to the 0.S.A. We aiiangeu that he shoulu ietuin aftei uiscussions
with the inteinationally ienowneu White Engineeiing Company about the
uamming of Lake Tana. We also aiiangeu that he shoulu uiscuss this at meetings
in Auuis Ababa with iepiesentatives of the Biitish uoveinment. Aftei they hau
uepaiteu following these negotiations, the White Engineeiing Company on theii
pait sent, in 192S (= 19Su), a numbei of engineeis who suiveyeu Lake Tana anu
then ietuineu.

Latei, engineeis of the Biitish Suuan anu Egyptian goveinments came togethei
to Auuis Ababa, anu aftei we hau helu extensive uiscussions about the mattei,
they maue an appointment to meet once moie at Auuis Ababa in 1927 (= 19SS),
to uiaft the uetails of the contiact; they then went back. But when at the time of
the appointment We weie piepaiing to tiansmit a telegiam to summon the
iepiesentatives of the White Engineeiing Company, the Biitish Ninistei anu the
Egyptian Consul at Auuis Ababa let 0s know that theii iepiesentatives hau
uefeiieu theii visit to Auuis Ababa foi the time being. They uiu not foi the
moment ieveal to 0s the ieason foi this action. But the Walwal uistuibances hau
staiteu, anu We ieckoneu that this was the ieason. We notifieu the White
Engineeiing Company not to senu theii iepiesentatives to Auuis Ababa. But the
Ethiopian uoveinment hau eailiei given an unueitaking to the effect that it
woulu not cut off the flow of the small iiveis enteiing the Blue Nile, noi that of
the iivei Sobat, without the agieement of the Biitish-Suuan uoveinment, anu
theiefoie the Biitish-Suuan uoveinment was to pay to the Ethiopian
uoveinment an annual sum of ten thousanu guineas. When We noticeu in 0ui
iecoius the non-payment to the Ethiopian uoveinment of this money by the
Biitish-Suuan uoveinment evei since the saiu tieaty hau been signeu anu letteis
weie exchangeu, fiom 189S (= 19u2) until 1924 (= 19S1), We wiote to the
Biitish Ninistei at Auuis Ababa asking that the money be paiu in accoiuance
with the teims of the lettei. Be claimeu that this money was to be paiu when
peimission to uam Lake Tana hau been gianteu, anu while he biought up vaiious
othei excuses anu We weie engageu in piotiacteu coiiesponuence, Italy
meanwhile unleasheu a wai of aggiession against us, anu that mattei theiefoie
iemaineu in abeyance.

Fuitheimoie, We hau not neglecteu the inteiests of the Italian uoveinment by
possibly using as a pietext the uiiect negotiations with the Biitish uoveinment
conceining the uamming of Lake Tana, anu when the foimei askeu foi
peimission to builu a motoi ioau fiom Assab to Bessie anu to expanu tiaue, We
iaiseu no uifficulties whatsoevei but accoiueu them peimission in a spiiit of
fiienuship.

Betails of all this will be founu piesently in connexion with the ceiemonial
welcome which We piepaieu when B.B. the Buke of Abiuzzi came to Auuis
Ababa to ietuin 0ui visit.


Chaptei 2S - About oui tieaty with Italy conceining poit facilities at Assab, the
constiuction of a ioau, anu geneial amity

WE weie fiequently uistiesseu about the fact that it was an obstacle to
civilization that 0ui countiy lackeu a sea-poit of hei own. Paiticulaily since
Ethiopia enteieu the League of Nations anu contacts with goveinments of the
woilu hau gieatly expanueu, We became convinceu of the neeu to finu an outlet
to the sea; We theiefoie iequesteu Italy to make available foi us poit facilities in
the Assab iegion.

Fuitheimoie, We hau been ieminuing the Fiench Ninistei at Auuis Ababa, fiom
time to time, of 0ui uesiie to obtain access to the sea in the }ibuti aiea. The
ieasons why We weie consiueiing obtaining a sea-poit at }ibuti weie, in the fiist
place, that, when the Fiench uoveinment oiiginally seizeu }ibuti, it was by
agieement with Ethiopia anu, in the seconu place, that it was a Fiench Company
that built the iailway, unuei a concession fiom the Ethiopian uoveinment,
connecting us to }ibuti.

Latei, in 1916 (= 1924), when We came to visit Paiis at the invitation of the
Fiench uoveinment, We uiscloseu to N. Poincaie, the then Piime Ninistei, that it
was 0ui uesiie to obtain access to the sea in the }ibuti aiea. Be hau given 0s a
hopeful ieply, but when, aftei 0ui ietuin to 0ui countiy, We iepeateuly
iequesteu the Fiench uoveinment to confiim the expectation given to 0s, they
kept 0s waiting foi about two yeais with seveial excuses anu without giving a
fiim uecision.

The Italian uoveinment, howevei, weie not pleaseu at 0ui uiscussions with
Fiance about obtaining an outlet to the sea.

Afteiwaius, in 1919 (= 1927), B.N. victoi Emmanuel III sent his uncle, B.B. the
Buke of Abiuzzi, to Auuis Ababa to ietuin 0ui visit. As soon as he aiiiveu, he
infoimeu 0s of his instiuctions to uiscuss with 0s, since he happeneu to be on
the spot, the question of access to the sea anu the constiuction of a ioau, but we
postponeu these talks until the official visit hau been completeu.

It hau appeaieu to 0s anu to all 0ui people that the visit to Auuis Ababa of B.B.
the Buke of Abiuzzi was apt to stiengthen gieatly the existing fiienuship with
Italy. Theiefoie, evei since We heaiu officially about his visit, We piepaieu a big
piogiamme suitable foi the ieception. In paiticulai We put in hanu the builuing
of a new palace in which he was to stay, within the piecincts of 0ui palace, anu it
was completeu within a biief peiiou. The house was calleu 'The Buke's Bouse'
anu useu to be known by his name up to the enu of the wai.

When he was about to ietuin to his countiy at the conclusion of the official visit,
he askeu to be peimitteu to speak about the mattei to which he hau iefeiieu, foi
he hau ieceiveu instiuctions fiom his goveinment to give ceitain infoimation to
the Ethiopian uoveinment. Be then ueclaieu as follows:

'As my goveinment has heaiu that you have initiateu conveisations with the
Fiench uoveinment with a view to obtaining access to the seaconveisations
which have so fai iemaineu inconclusiveit is my goveinment's intention to
giant a sea-poit in the Assab aiea anu to constiuct a motoi ioau fiom the poit to
Bessie, while the two goveinments establish a mutual aiu company; it is fuithei
my goveinment's intention to concluue a tieaty of fiienuship that shall iemain in
foice foi 2u yeais, anu I am theiefoie to enquiie as to the wishes of the Ethiopian
uoveinment. This mattei hau alieauy been bioacheu pieviously when you came
to Rome in 1916 (= 1924).' When he explaineu his goveinment's pioposals in
these teims, We accepteu them as satisfactoiy, foi we woulu thus obtain, in the
fiist place, an outlet to the sea anu, in the seconu, a peiiou of 2u yeais without
wai in which Ethiopia woulu woik haiu anu ieach a high level. The mattei then
came befoie the gieat piinces anu nobles, anu aftei it hau been appioveu We
signeu the following tieaty:

Tieaty

Wheieas it is the uesiie of the Empiess of Ethiopia, Bei Najesty Zawuitu, anu of
the King of Italy, Bis Najesty victoi Emmanuel III, to consoliuate anu stiengthen
fuithei the fiienuship existing between the two goveinments anu to biing about
an expansion of the economic ielations between the two countiies; accoiuingly
B.B. Tafaii Nakonnen, Beii to the Thione anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the
Empiie of Ethiopia, in the name of B.N. Empiess Zawuitu, in his own name anu
that of theii successois, anu Commenuatoie uiuliano Coia, Ninistei
Plenipotentiaiy of the Royal Italian uoveinment, in the name of B.N. victoi
Emmanuel III anu his successois, having ieacheu agieement have covenanteu as
follows:

Fiist

Theie shall be eveilasting fiienuship between the Impeiial Ethiopian
uoveinment anu the Royal Italian uoveinment.

Seconu

The two goveinments have enteieu into a mutual obligation not to uo anything
foi whatevei ieason that might affect oi uamage the inuepenuence of the othei
anu to safeguaiu anu piotect theii iespective inteiests.

Thiiu

The two goveinments have enteieu into an obligation to extenu anu to cause to
flouiish the tiaue existing between the two countiies.

Fouith

Italian native citizens, subjects, anu piotecteu peisons, while iesiuing in
Ethiopia, anu Ethiopians, while iesiuing in Italian colonies, as iegaius theii tiaue
anu employment, necessities of livelihoou anu auministiation, anu in anything
that conceins the exeicise of theii piofessions, theii tiaue anu theii
employment it is incumbent upon them to obseive anu to honoui the laws of
the state in which they aie living. Notwithstanuing anything stateu above, theie
shall iemain applicable to the saiu Italian subjects anu piotecteu peisons, while
iesiuent in Ethiopia, the piovisions laiu uown in aiticle vII of the tieaty between
the Empeioi of Ethiopia anu the uoveinment of the Fiench Republic, concluueu
on 1st Tei 19uu (= 1uth }anuaiy 19u8), as long as this tieaty iemains in foice.

Fifth

The two goveinments binu themselves to submit to conciliation oi to
aibitiation-juuges any mattei aiising between them on which they cannot agiee
anu which is incapable of being iesolveu by the customaiy uiplomatic means
without iecouise to the foice of aims. As iegaius the pioceuuie foi selecting
aibitiatois, the two goveinments shall exchange notes once they have ieacheu
agieement.

Sixth

This tieaty shall be iegisteieu with the League of Nations. The two goveinments
must accept it aftei iatification. 0nce piopei aiiangements have been maue, they
shall exchange the instiuments of iatification at Auuis Ababa as soon as possible.

Seventh

This tieaty shall iemain in foice foi 2u yeais fiom the uate of iatification. When
this peiiou has expiieu it shall be ienewable annually.

This tieaty has been wiitten iuentically in the two official languages, Amhaiic
anu Italian, one copy iemaining in the hanus of the Ethiopian uoveinment, the
othei in the hanus of the Italian uoveinment.'

26th1u Bamle 192u (= 2nu August 1928).



Latei on, in 1921 (= 1928-9), B.B. the Buke of Abiuzzi ietuineu to Auuis Ababa
once moie. The ieason foi his visit was, now that the tieaty of fiienuship anu
ioau constiuction hau been signeu, to uecoiate 0s with the uianu 0iuei of the
Annunziata with goluen chain anu then to pioceeu to Nogauishu, having on the
same occasion tiaveiseu Aiussi anu exploieu, fiom its souices, the gieat iivei
Webi Shebeli which iises at the meeting point of Aiussi anu Bale anu flows uown
to Italian Somalilanu.

The ieason why he wanteu to see the souices was, accoiuing to the veision he
tolu me, that he hau founueu a laige concein with a big agiicultuial enteipiise
neai Nogauishu anu that the watei iiiigating those plantations was ueiiveu fiom
the Webi Shebeli.

We sent with him a numbei of men as guiues, so that no mishap shoulu befall
him thioughout his jouiney.

Even though the Buke of Abiuzzi was an Italian Piince, We hau hopeu things
woulu tuin out in accoiuance with his assuiance, foi he hau ceitainly ueclaieu
iepeateuly that the tieaty of fiienuship which hau been signeu woulu iemain
fiim.

While We hau eveiy intention of obseiving oui tieaty obligations anu honouiing
oui unueitaking aftei we hau concluueu the tieaty of fiienuship anu of ioau
constiuction, We spent a lot of money appointing engineeis fiom Bollanu anu set
them to suivey the uiiection of the ioau to Bessie, in conjunction with oui own
engineeis at Auuis Ababa anu the people on the spot. Aftei we hau completeu
uiawing up the plans anu when we weie ieauy to iequest the Italians that the
ioau woiks be staiteu, they weie not at all intent on the woik but iathei on
inciting quaiiels as of olu; they thus uelayeu matteis by uiagging theii feet anu
by asking that the woik be caiiieu out on theii engineeis' suiveys anu
calculationsciiticizing what oui own engineeis hau uone by way of suiveys
anu measuiements. But in Euiope they began to spieau the iumoui by letting it
appeai that the Ethiopian uoveinment hau violateu the tieaty by postponing the
woik. Whatevei the uamage to heiself might be, Ethiopia iefiaineu fiom
spenuing hei money on piess campaigns oi fiom spieauing menuacious
piopaganua like Italy, but stuck to the tiuth fiimly. Yet it unuoubteuly suiteu
Italyin spieauing this soit of iepoitto claim that she hau to take Ethiopia by
wai, as the lattei was in bieach of hei tieaty obligations. By Italy's own actions
all this has become cleaily appaient.

Chaptei 24 - About 0ui ieceiving the uignity of kingship without ceasing to be
Beii Appaient anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy

WBEN Leuj Iyasu was iemoveu fiom the thione on the giounus of his inability to
conuuct the goveinment, it was aiiangeu that I shoulu take chaige anu be
iesponsible foi the entiie business of goveinment, while Queen Zawuitu became
Empiess with myself as Beii to the Thione anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy. When, by
viitue of my office as Regent, I set to woik following the ways of mouein
civilization, I causeu some of the nobles, who to theii misfoitune hau been
hanging on to the olu customs, to give up the plans they hau conceiveu foi iuling,
just as they pleaseu, the uistiict to which they hau been appointeu. They began to
feel aggiieveu when, as those who hau been wiongeu piotesteu, We meteu out
impaitial justice in iegaiu to them, without paying heeu to theii high station;
when We tolu them to ienuei to the goveinment the income ueiiveu fiom theii
goveinoiship in teims of customs uuties, telephone chaiges, anu similai
ievenues; anu when We moveu them about, in ieshuffles, fiom one piovince to
anothei. Because they weie awaie in theii heait that eveiything was being uone
equitably anu that iemonstiating woulu make them objects of shame, they coulu
not openly uiscuss this mattei which causeu them such uistiess; they theiefoie
let this go anu ueciueu insteau to make Queen Zawuitu an instiument auapteu to
all theii uesigns.

Foi this puipose it was Bejazmatch Baltcha whom at fiist they maue theii leauei.
It was in a uistiict calleu Agamja, at a uistance of foui uays' maich fiom Auuis
Ababa, that Bejazmatch Baltcha was boin. Buiing a militaiy campaign in the
Agamja iegion, he was still a young boy; in the houi of victoiy a soluiei founu
him, took him piisonei, anu biought him to Empeioi Nenelik anu he giew up in
the palace. It was my fathei, B.B. Ras Nakonnen, who became his goufathei at
the chiistening.

When he was giown up, Empeioi Nenelik appointeu him custouian of all
goveinment finances. Latei on, when he fought against the Italians at the time of
the battle of Auwa, he showeu conspicuous valoui anu thus began to live in an
exalteu position. The fact that the Italians killeu him now with such ciuel
violence was auuitionally an act of ievenge foi that battle of Auwaanu not only
because he stiuggleu against them in heioic gueiiilla actions.

While Bejazmatch Baltcha occupieu a position of iank anu honoui in Empeioi
Nenelik's time anu 0ui own, woithless men who iose up to impeue 0ui woik
seuuceu him into becoming theii leauei, anu he thus got involveu in the mattei.
But subsequently, when those woithless men weie aiiesteu anu conuemneu to
punishment, he himself uisputeu his involvement in the mattei anu, having
escapeu punishment, went to his goveinoiate of Siuamo.

As he maltieateu the peasants by his moue of goveining anu the militaiy by his
allocation of quaiteis, woise even than befoie, they came to Auuis Ababa to
complain; when We summoneu him to submit to aibitiation, he let many months
pass befoie he came, pleauing uelay oi illness oi fatigue.

Aftei he hau tuineu up he stayeu at his house claiming to be ill, so as not to be
calleu to face aibitiation anu to appeai befoie the tiibunal with those who hau
been wiongeu. But as We hau heaiu of his attempts to stii up tiouble against 0s,
We hau his house suiiounueu by tioops anu maue him attenu by foice. When We
causeu the mattei to be investigateu, he aumitteu by his own statement that he
hau planneu to stii up tiouble against 0s, anu since his own seivants testifieu
against him he was sentenceu, in the month of Yakatit 192u (= Febiuaiy 1928),
to be uepiiveu of his office anu to iesiue in a specially uesignateu place.

Latei on, in the month of Nahase 192u (= August 1928), some useless anu
woithless men iose up against 0s, making Bejazmatch Abba Weqaw theii leauei.

Abba Weqaw hau eailiei been a ietainei of Empeioi Nenelik. But aftei We hau
become Regent Plenipotentiaiy, We nominateu him Bejazmatch anu maue him
commanuei of 0ui guaiu. But without thinking of his countiy, Ethiopia, oi his
honoui, the insuigent sought to iaise up commotion against 0s by taking counsel
with useless anu common people. We heaiu that he was spieauing the iumoui
(with a view to incieasing his following) that it was Queen Zawuitu who hau
oiueieu him to biing about this upheaval; anu when We summoneu him to tell
0s about this in his own woius, he biueu his time by wanueiing to anu fio within
the extensive giounus of the Palace piecincts. Anu when it became uaik, he
enteieu the Nenelik Nausoleum aujacent to the Palace anu stayeu theie as a
iebel. Latei on, he sent as inteicessois the Etchage anu some piiests, lest We
shoulu impose the ueath penalty upon him, anu then he suiienueieu; while he
was spaieu the ueath penalty, he was sentenceu to iesiue at a specifieu place
unuei aiiest.

Subsequently, the ministeis anu nobles living at Auuis Ababa as well as the aimy
commanueis anu all men holuing office ieacheu agieement unanimously anu
ueclaieu: 'Woithless common people iise up fiom time to time against oui
Ciown Piince anu cieate upheaval; peihaps on some futuie occasion, when
similai uistuibances aiise, we may fail to pievent inteinal bloousheu; it is,
theiefoie, necessaiy to think of means of iestiaining such commotion. Foi this
puipose it is best to act as follows: Empiess Zawuitu shoulu have solely the
honoui of the Ciown anu the Thioneas was establisheu when fiist she
succeeueu to the ieign, leaving the task of goveinment entiiely to the Ciown
Piince, while the lattei shoulu caiiy out on his sole authoiity the whole business
of goveinment (as was uefineu anu initiateu on 17th Naskaiam 19u9= 27th
Septembei 1916), without consulting the Empiess anu without obtaining hei
peimission. In oiuei that his authoiity shoulu possess foice anu be iespecteu, it
woulu be best foi us to aiiange that he shoulu attain the uignity of Kingship.'
0nce they hau ueciueu this, they assembleu in the wiue squaie within the palace
piecincts anu appioacheu Empiess Zawuitu in wiiting: 'Nay it please you to
have B.B. Ciown Piince Tafaii pioclaimeu King anu have him caiiy out, on his
sole authoiity, any goveinment business without having to consult anyone.'

Empiess Zawuitu summoneu hei special counsellois, anu when they pioffeieu
hei auvice it seemeu to them an extiemely uifficult mattei. In tiuth, I myself felt
it to be veiy uifficult. Foi, once pioclaimeu King of some laige pait of Ethiopia, I
coulu not go theie oi else the Empiess woulu neeu anothei Regent. As King I
coulu scaicely iesiue at Auuis Ababa, foi it was not customaiy foi two Kings to
iesiue in one city. She theiefoie sent woiu to them to be given time in which to
ponuei the mattei.

This pioposal by the people was awkwaiu not only foi Empiess Zawuitu but
even foi myself. I theiefoie summoneu thiee men fiom the assembleu nobles
anu uespatcheu them to the people with this message: 'It woulu be goou if the
iuea which you have hau that the woik of goveinment be accomplisheu by one
man's sole anu unuiviueu uesign coulu be caiiieu out, but it woulu be as well if
the pioposal as iegaius the Kingship weie not iaiseu. Aiiange foi this mattei to
be uioppeu, foi it might appeai that I hau inciteu you in the uesiie to become
King; it is uou alone who knows that I am not involveu in this affaii but people
uo not know.' They sent woiu back to 0s: 'We cannot go back on it, foi the ieason
we have acteu was that we weie minuful of the honoui of oui iealm anu the
benefit anu peace of the peoplewithout favouiing anyone.' We theiefoie kept
quiet.

Latei on, when they saw the ieply which hau ieacheu them fiom Empiess
Zawuitu asking foi time to ponuei the mattei, they piesenteu to hei a fuithei
wiitten submission which all of them signeu anu sealeu: The fact that Empiess
Zawuitu was asking foi time to think about it was simply to obtain time in oiuei
to issue a iefusal aftei consultation with hei fiienus who follow hei own way of
thinking anu who uo not like mouein conuitions; oi to biing about, on these
giounus, a situation in which ievolution anu civil wai woulu be cieateu.
'Bowevei that may be', theii submission ian,'we aie ueteimineu to uo what is
necessaiy, being assembleu heie anu not intenuing to uispeise unless you give
us the ieply touay.' Noieovei, the people of the city uiu not know the tiue ieason
why the ministeis, nobles, anu aimy commanueis hau assembleu in the palace
giounus, anu it neeueu veiy little foi them to stait a ievolution.

Empiess Zawuitu causeu the ueclaiation, which hau been piesenteu to hei with
signatuies anu seals, to be ieau; anu, when she hau unueistoou it, she thought it
woulu be piefeiable to accept theii counsel in oiuei to avoiu bloousheu. She
then uiiecteu that the following wiitten announcement be ieau out to them: 'It is
my wish that the Ciown Piince be ciowneu as King on a uate ueteimineu by you
on the basis of the auvice tenueieu by you.' Consequently secuiity anu calm
ietuineu. Theieupon they pusheu each othei foiwaiu penetiating as fai as the
inteinal couit-yaiu anu clappeu hanus with joy. Then they conveyeu theii thanks
saying: 'Long live B.N. the Empiess! Nay Ethiopia live foi evei.' They then went
back to theii homes.

The next moining they assembleu once moie anu claimeu that it woulu be bettei
foi this affaii of the Kingship to be accomplisheu within thiee uays, lest seconu
thoughts shoulu iuin this mattei if fuithei uelay weie to occui. We convinceu
them, howevei, of the impossibility of a thing like Kingship being caiiieu out
within two oi thiee uays anu, fuitheimoie, of the neeu to infoim each of the
goveinments of oui neighbouis, so that theii iepiesentatives might come anu
take pait in oui joy. It was, theiefoie, ueciueu that the coionation shoulu take
place one month hence, on 27th Naskaiam 1921 (= 7th 0ctobei 1928).

As theie was iejoicing about Empiess Zawuitu's appioval that We weie to be
pioclaimeu King, anu since the Biitish, Fiench, anu Italians, who possess colonies
in oui neighbouihoou, weie uelighteu, the Biitish uoveinment uespatcheu to
Auuis Ababa the uoveinoi of Beibeia, Ni. Kitteimastei, the Fiench uoveinment
sent the uoveinoi of }ibuti, N. Chapon Baissac, anu the Italian uoveinment the
uoveinoi of Eiitiea, Signoi Coiiauo Zoli.

When eveiything that was iequiieu foi this festival of Kingship hau been
piepaieu, the whole gieat ceiemony which is enacteu foi ciowning a King of the
Ethiopian Empiie took place on 27th Naskaiam 1921 (= 7th 0ctobei 1928); We
ieceiveu the ciown fiom the hanus of Empiess Zawuitu, anu the festive uay
passeu off with uignity.

Chaptei 2S - About the instigation by the Italians of Ras uugsa Wale's iebellion

IT is veiy suipiising to obseive how the Italians, who weie constantly accusing
Ethiopia befoie the League of Nations of being a countiy without unity, weie
themselves engageu in piopaganua activities with the object of uiviuing the
Ethiopian Empiie. It ieally is astonishing what uiligence We hau to employ to
counteiact theii piopaganua. Yet tiy as they might, they weie unable to biing
about inteinal splits.

Things that have occuiieu quite iecently testify to the fact that Italy's iuea of
waging a wai of oppiession against Ethiopia goes back a long time.

They weie uisseminating piopaganua that causeu gieat uamage among oui
people, yet spieauing it aboutplausibly so to outsiueisthat Italy was
Ethiopia's fiienu. We uo not uoubt that all the uiplomats iesiuing in Ethiopia aie
awaie of this, anu if We weie to wiite about all the piopaganua iuses which the
Italians have employeu against Ethiopia, many pages woulu be useu upbut We
woulu iathei leave it. Neveitheless, the woik of ueceit anu piopaganua they
caiiieu out with the connivance of Ras uugsa Wale anu Ras Baylu is known all
ovei Ethiopia, anu it woulu theiefoie be impiopei foi 0s to leave it uniecoiueu.

Ras uugsa was the son of Ras Wale, Empiess Taitu's biothei. Bis fathei, Ras
Wale, nominateu him Bejazmatch ovei a pait of his goveinoiate anu latei on
came to Shoa.

Evei since Empiess Taitu hau got maiiieu to Empeioi Nenelik she hau been
stiiving to biing about a iappiochement anu much closei ielationship of the
people of Bagemeuei, Semien, anu Yajju, who weie hei family, with the people of
Shoa, anu she maue it hei piincipal puipose to aiiange maiiiages of hei female
ielations with Shoan nobles anu of hei male ielations with Shoan lauies. She
theiefoie aiiangeu, in 1892 (= 189919uu), that Bejazmatch uugsa, the son of
hei biothei Ras Wale, shoulu maiiy Empeioi Nenelik's uaughtei Wayzaio
Zawuitu, subsequently Empiess of Ethiopia. 0n those giounus he attaineu the
iank of Ras in 189S (= 19uu-1); anu when he seiveu as goveinoi of Bagemeuei,
Ras Bitwauuau Tasamma, who became Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the Ethiopian
iealm aftei Empeioi Nenelik's confinement to the palace because of illness, gave
the goveinoiship of Bagemeuei to Ras Walua uiyoigis anu uiiecteu Ras uugsa to
live in confinement. When Ras uugsa hau iemaineu unuei iestiiction foi about
seven yeais, Wayzaio Zawuitu was chosen, on 17th Naskaiam 19u9 (== 27th
Septembei 1916), to succeeu to the ciown anu thione of Ethiopia. When Bei
Najesty ieigneu as Empiess she ueclaieu: 'I shall not live with a husbanu, but I
make a vow to live on my own, foi uou has selecteu me, a woman, anu has let me
live foi this gieat ciown anu thione.' Since she hau chosen to live on hei own anu
as Ras uugsa became awaie of the Queen's fiim iesolve, the instiument of theii
sepaiation was completeu by mutual consent, anu We assigneu to Ras uugsa the
goveinoiship of Embabo, in Wallaga, anu Sayent. But a yeai latei, when the
goveinoi of Bagemeuei, King Walua uiyoigis, uieu, We iestoieu to Ras uugsa the
goveinoiship of Bagemeuei, anu foi the time being he was pleaseu to get his
foimei piovince back. But the Italians have always been the bane of the
Ethiopian people, anu some of them, pietenuing to come foi tiaue oi to see the
countiy, went to anu fio fiom Bagemeuei to Asmaia, met Ras uugsa anu went on
sowing uissension in his heait, so that in the enu they manageu to tuin his joy
into sauness.

Woist of all was the fact that the Italian commeicial agent iesiuent at uonuai
maue piopaganua his main occupation.

The iesiuence of the uoveinoi of Bagemeuei is in the town of Babia Taboi. But
the Italians hau ieceiveu peimission fiom Empeioi Nenelik anu fiom Leuj Iyasu,
befoie 0ui time, to establish a commeicial agency at uonuai wheie piiests anu
tiaueis liveu anu which appeaieu suitable to them as a base to caiiy out theii
piopaganua. Afteiwaius, as Ras uugsa Wale possesseu a heieuitament at a place
neai uonuai, they piesenteu to him the following pioposal in wiiting: 'If you
lease to us this heieuitament of youis, we shall uevelop youi place foi you;
afteiwaius, at the time we leave it, we shall make ovei to you fiee of chaige any
houses we have built theie anu absolutely eveiything else Be gave them
peimission, as it appeaieu to him a genuine pioposal.

It was a man calleu Signoi Polleia whom they establisheu as commeicial agent at
this place. Signoi Polleia, in oiuei to equip himself foi this woik of ueceit anu
piopaganua, employeu an Ethiopian woman foi money anu, ueclaiing hei his
wife, hau chiluien by hei.

Noieovei, he was auvanceu in age, anu as it is the custom of Ethiopians to show
iespect foi the elueily, all the people of uonuai honouieu him anu uiu not look
upon him as a foieignei. Be on his pait woulu offei money when a woman hau
given biith, oi at the commemoiation foi the ueceaseu. Although he was a
Catholic, he woulu entei oithouox chuiches anu piay as the piiests weie
watching him. 0n the festival uays of the yeai he woulu extenu invitations to
piiests anu tiaueis, accoiuing to the custom of Ethiopian noblemen, anu have
beei bieweu, honey-meau piepaieu, anu oxen slaughteieu. Foi all these ieasons
he cultivateu excellent ielations with the local population.

Again, he knew that Ras uugsa Wale, the goveinoi of Bagemeuei, was fiim in the
oithouox faith anu an opponent of Euiopean ieligion anu civilization; theiefoie
he woulu go to him anu aigue thus: 'It is best foi Ethiopia to live accoiuing to
ancient custom as of olu anu it woulu not piofit hei to follow Euiopean
civilization. But it is saiu that it is the intention of the piesent Ciown Piince anu
Regent Plenipotentiaiy to intiouuce Euiopean civilization into Ethiopia. 0nce
Euiopean civilization has penetiateu Ethiopia, it will inevitably mean fieeuom of
ieligion. When fieeuom of ieligion exists, then the oithouox faith is bounu to
weaken anu the Catholic faith to stiengthen anu giauually expanu; thus it is
iumouieu that the Ciown Piince himself is about to join the Catholic ieligion.
Also, we have heaiu that fiom time to time he is issuing pioclamations aimeu at
the eiauication of slaveiy fiom Ethiopia. But now, once all the slaves aie
ueclaieu fiee, how aie those loius anu nobles of Bagemeuei to live. Is it that the
masteis aie to plough with theii own hanus anu the lauies to giinu with theii
own hanus. Even in Euiope, although slaveiy has ceaseu evei since all the woik
has come to be uone by machines, yet in the past eveiy man, like you, hau seveial
slaves. Now in this countiy a gieat calamity will befall you, unless you anu the
gieat nobles like you take heeu of this.' Polleia spoke to Ras uugsa in those
teims, inciting him to iise up himself on his pait against 0s with the might of his
aimy, while peisuauing each of the gieat nobles to uo likewise. Be assembleu his
officeis anu let them into the seciet: 'A fiienu of mine has auviseu me in those
teims; what hau best be uone.' Some of the officeis who weie convinceu that it
was fiauuulent auvice sent woiu to me in seciet.

But We hau no uoubt that Ras uugsa Wale was planning evil things against 0ui
goveinment, as he hau listeneu to the ueceitful counsel of the Italians. We
theiefoie biueu oui time in patience with the intention of claiifying matteis. In
this affaii it was also thoughtfulness foi Empiess Zawuitu that impelleu 0s
towaius patience.

Noieovei, by sheei coinciuence a contiact was awaiueu at that peiiou to a
foieignei, on the pait of the Auuis Ababa Nunicipality, to establish a leathei
factoiy at Auuis Ababa. Apait fiom the hiues of oxen anu goats, he woulu stiip
the skin off hoises, mules, uonkeys, anu uogs anu take them to the factoiy foi
tanning. When the Italians heaiu of this, they spieau a iumoui in eveiy piovince,
to the effect that at Auuis Ababa uonkeys anu uogs weie being slaughteieu anu a
stait hau been maue to feeu them to officeis anu tioops at official banquets; it
uiu not seem impossible foi a pioclamation to be issueu all ovei Ethiopia that the
meat of uonkeys anu uogs was to be eaten in futuie. The people of Bagemeuei
got a heait-felt shock at this news.

In Ethiopia even people who have only veiy iecently accepteu Chiistianity
leaving asiue the people of Bagemeuei who aie of ancient Chiistian auheience
aie known to feel gieat ievulsion when tolu that the skins of uonkeys anu uogs
aie being stiippeu off foi the piocess of tanning, let alone foi eating theii meat!
Peihaps in Euiope, too, people aie not lacking who feel uisgust at things of this
soit.

Ras uugsa Wale, although it was with his consent that he was sepaiateu fiom
Empiess Zawuitu, hau begun to speak to some of his fiienus of his giief at being
confineu to iesiue in Bagemeuei only, without being able to come to Auuis Ababa
at this gieat time of joy. When the Italians heaiu this, they iealizeu that this was
a suitable time to seuuce Ras uugsa. They tolu him things which enteieu ueep
into his heait, such as: 'We aie willing to give you the aims you iequiie, anu with
the aiu of the Italian goveinment you may iebel anu fight against the piesent
goveinment, anu you may be pioclaimeu King anu, togethei with Empiess
Zawuitu, you may become the iulei of the whole of Ethiopia.' Now, seizing this
oppoitunity, he saiu that it woulu be bettei to uie than to abanuon oui slaves anu
to live unuei a goveinment which foices people to eat the meat of uonkeys anu
uogs. Be began to enueavoui to biing the whole people of Bagemeuei ovei to his
paity anu to stiengthen the might of his foices. Be announceu all this openly in
foim of a pioclamation.

As those of 0ui soluieis who guaiu the boiuei aieas of 0ui Empiie in the
Bankali anu Aussa piovincesbeing ueseits anu places of uiseasesuffei a
gieat ueal, they aie peimitteu occasionally to come up to the highlanus foi a iest.
When the Italians ieceiveu infoimation about this fiom theii spies, they weie
watching foi a moment when the numbei of tioops was uiminisheu anu then
sent in aimy engineeis to map the mountains anu iiveis, valleys anu escaipment.
They supplieu aims anu money to the Wajjeiat anu the Raya anu Azabo ualla anu
auviseu them by eveiy possible iuse to iebel against 0ui goveinment. But some
of these Wajjeiat came anu spoke to 0s. While We weie in the piocess of causing
it to be investigateu whethei Italy was uoing things of this soit, oblivious of the
tieaty of fiienuship she hau concluueu with 0s in 192u (= 1928), We heaiu that
the Wajjeiat anu Raya anu Azabo ualla, flaunting the aims anu the money they
hau ieceiveu fiom Italy, weie mounting the highlanus killing people anu
plunueiing cattle. Theiefoie, since We knew that Yajju was the uistiict in which
Ras uugsa Wale hau giown up anu because of its pioximity to Bagemeuei, We
tiansmitteu oiueis to him to go to Yajju making amicable appeals to the Wajjeiat
anu Azabo ualla anu offeiing them fiienuly auvice as well as uiging them to
abanuon theii evil woiks; but if they iefuseu, he was to fight them by militaiy
foice. We thought, inciuentally, that, if he now taiiieu with this mission to Yajju,
it woulu theieby be ievealeu that eveiything of which he hau been accuseu, i.e.
being in consultation with the Italians, was tiue.

When Ras uugsa ieceiveu the oiuei, he mobilizeu the Bagemeuei aimy by
pioclamation anu went to Yajju, so as to let it appeai foi the moment that he was
caiiying out oiueis. But when he hau ieacheu Yajju, We heaiu of his ietuin to
Bagemeuei without accomplishing piopeily what he hau been oiueieu to uo
about the Wajjeiat anu Raya anu Azabo uallas anu that, aftei ieaching
agieement, they woulu, in fact, join him as his suppoit tioops; aftei he hau
ietuineu he was chiefly occupieu with collecting an aimy anu piepaiing
weapons of wai. While We weie meaning to be veiy caieful lest the bloou of
biotheis be sheu in vain anu the uesiie of the Italians thus be fulfilleu, We sent
woiu to Ras uugsa suggesting that we shoulu at any iate meet at Waiiayelu anu
uiscuss in uetail the ieason why he hau ietuineu fiom the militaiy expeuition as
well as eveiy othei mattei; theieaftei he might go back. While he wiote back
meiely woius of ueceit claiming to agiee anu to set out at once, We ieceiveu
infoimation that, in fact, he was taiiying anu piepaiing foi wai. We theiefoie
uespatcheu tioops, unuei the commanu of Bejazmatch Nullugeta, who weie to
keep watch (being stationeu at Waula anu Balanta) in oiuei to pievent Ras
uugsa slipping into Yajju anu linking up with the Wajjeiat anu Raya-Azabo
uallas.

As Italy's piopaganua agents weie seeking out some magicians anu uieameis
who aie to be encounteieu in Bagemeuei, they sent them to Ras uugsa
instigating them to speak to him encouiagingly : 'The time has come foi you to be
King, hence have couiage anu uo not feai.' Pioof of all this was uiscoveieu in Ras
uugsa's poitfolio which was captuieu in the wai.

Since some Ethiopians uo not possess, apait fiom ieligious knowleuge, any othei
euucation in seculai politics, thus when monks oi heimits tell them that at a
ceitain time a ceitain thing will take place, they accept it as tiue, foi it seems to
them that such men weie sent by uou; to piofit by this the Italianssince they
aie acquainteu with this factmake it theii chief instiument.

Anxious to asceitain the Italians' involvement oi non-involvement in this affaii,
We spoke to the Italian Ninistei at Auuis Ababa: 'Sell 0s one aeioplane foi the
pieseivation of inteinal secuiity anu We shall appoint a pilot fiom among youi
people.' Be tolu 0s that he woulu infoim his goveinment anu convey the ieply as
soon as possible. But he uelayeu giving 0s any answei, anu when theie was just
one uay left befoie Ras uugsa's attack upon 0ui aimy, the Ninistei let 0s know
that they hau not succeeueu in senuing the aiiciaft fiom Asmaia immeuiately.
Since in 0ui heait We hau known all along that the ieply woulu be thus, it causeu
0s no suipiise whatevei.

Baving been ueceiveu by lies of this soit, Ras uugsa ueciueu to make wai; he
issueu a pioclamation of mobilization, maicheu along in a gieat huiiy anu, on
22nu Nagabit 1922 (= S1st Naich 19Su), launcheu an attack upon Bejazmatch
Nullugeta at Qwana. When he hau fought foi about thiee houis he suffeieu a
uefeat.

Thus the ueceitful counsel, ovei which the Italians hau toileu foi so many yeais,
was uemolisheu in thiee houis, anu Ras uugsa came to his enu. The fact that the
majoiity of the captuieu aims, founu in the hanus of Ras uugsa's tioops in the
couise of this battle, weie vetteili iifles which hau come fiom Asmaia maue it
quite ceitain to 0s that it was the Italians who hau helpeu Ras uugsa to iebel.

The Empiess Zawuitu uieu on 24th Nagabit 1922 (= 2nu Apiil 19Su), two uays
aftei the ueath of Ras uugsa.

Empiess Zawuitu hau foi a long time piioi to this suffeieu fiom uiabetes which
hau been uiagnoseu by the Sweuish Bi. Bannei anu the Swiss Bi. Naybeig. As
this uisease got piogiessively woise anu moie viiulent eveiy yeai, she hau
latteily been veiy ill. Theiefoie, she hau not been infoimeu of Ras uugsa's ueath,
lest this news shoulu aggiavate hei illness. This was because the physicians who
weie tieating hei, Bi. Bannei anu Bi. Naybeig, hau given instiuctions that she
was not to heai the sau news. But the Italians, with the intention of completing
the full measuie of theii ueceitfulness, spieau the iumoui that she uieu of shock
aftei heaiing the news, while in fact theie is no piince, noble, oi ministei at
Auuis Ababa who uoes not know that Empiess Zawuitu uieu without heaiing of
Ras uugsa's ueath in battle.

Chaptei 26 - About 0ui planning anu initiating giauual impiovements anu
iefoims in the woik of the cleigy

SINCE time immemoiial the Kings of Ethiopia, just as they weie iesponsible foi
the entiie business of goveinment, weie also in chaige of the affaiis of the
chuich; they woulu select peisons fiom among the savants anu the leaineu anu
make appointments to, as well as uismissals fiom, office at the vaiious chuiches
anu monasteiies anu, in geneial, have the authoiity to contiol all theii functions.
But with the giauual inciease in goveinment business anu the occasional waging
of wais against the pagans in neighbouiing countiies, they simply uiu not have
the time to contiol in full the affaiis of the chuich; consequently, theie weie
many things uetiimental to the oiuinances of the chuich which hau in eiioi
penetiateu into the community of the cleigy anu hau by custom peisisteu.

But now that We hau establisheu a constitution anu hau intiouuceu a legal
fiamewoik into each ministiy anu hau also aiiangeu foi ministeis to caiiy out
theii iespective functions with full iesponsibility, We biought about a
piogiessive anu step by step impiovement in the woik of the cleigy as We weie
meeting chuich leaueis anu piiois in the time left ovei fiom affaiis of state.
These impiovements weie as follows :

(1) Since the people of Ethiopia, gieat anu small, men anu women, weie fiim in
theii Chiistianity, they went to Chuich anu heaiu mass each week on Sunuay anu
on each of the gieat festivals. Whoevei was able to woulu ieceive the euchaiist.
But as holy mass was in the ue'ez language which not all the people coulu
unueistanu, many woulu ietuin home without compiehenuing the woius
explaining the mysteiiesjust listening to the sounu of the chants. But now We
aiiangeu foi holy mass to be tianslateu into Amhaiic anu to be piinteu, anu once
it hau been uistiibuteu in eveiy chuich, the people began to unueistanu when
the text was ieau out in theii own language, even if not all of it, then at least the
main pait. It was likewise aiiangeu foi the gospels, acts of the apostles, anu
epistles to be ieau to them in Amhaiic.

(2) With a view to biinging about a cessation of the quaiiels which flaie up
fiom time to time, as iegaius theii livelihoou, between ueans, piiests, anu chuich
custouians, oi abbots, monks, anu aujuvants who live in the vaiious laige
chuiches anu monasteiies, We assembleu the savants anu the leaineu anu maue
them biing along the ancient customs anu iules of life of each of the chuiches
anu monasteiies; by getting them to set up new anu impioveu iegulations gieat
benefit was attaineu. Impioveu anu newly establisheu iegulations aie to be
founu at Zequala, Babia Libanos, }eiusalem,9 anu all othei monasteiies.

(S) The fact that theie is to be founu in each chuich a copy of the mashafa
taklil constitutes pioof of the existence in Ethiopia in eailiei times of a ciowning
ceiemony at the maiiiage seivice. Bowevei, the ceiemonial of the chuich was
piogiessively uiminisheu anu, theiefoie, maiiiage by ciowning was not veiy
wiue-spieau, not even among the cleigy, let alone among the people; but it is not
known whethei this happeneu at the time of the upiising of Ahmau uian oi
uuiing the exteimination of Chiistians when Youit of the Falasha tiibe ieigneu.
Nonetheless, theie weie many among the cleigy anu the people who weie
stiengthening theii maiiiage by ieceiving euchaiist togethei with theii spouses.

But now We have uigeu the savants anu the leaineu to pieach exalting maiiiage
by ciowning anu, as a iesult, it has again become customaiy.

(4) In eailiei times, when a peison uieu, his family, in aiianging the tazkai
(memoiial seivice), woulu piepaie talla (beei), tauj (honey-meau), anu othei
intoxicating mattei anu woulu invite the piiests to the house of the ueceaseu;
they woulu offei them foou anu uiink beyonu measuie anu woulu make them
exceeu what has been oiuaineu. But now, since We have become convinceu that
conuuct of this kinu uoes not confoim to the new eia of civilization anu is also
foibiuuen by the Boly Sciiptuies, We have aiiangeu that the tazkai shoulu cease
consisting of intoxicating uiink anu excessive amounts of foou anu that, insteau,
the ielatives of the ueceaseu shoulu have the absolution piayeis peifoimeu anu
give, accoiuing to theii means, some money to the piiests foi the peifoimance of
absolution. It shoulu not, howevei, be foibiuuen to offei foou anu uiink to the
pooi, pioviueu this is uone in moueiation. We also uigeu the bishops anu piiois
to pieach in this sense.

Intenuing to be a mouel anu example to the people, when 0ui uaughtei, Piincess
Zanaba Waiq, uieu, We uistiibuteu gifts of money, foi the absolution iites,
among vaiious chuiches anu monasteiies. Nany people then began to uo
likewise.

(S) Since eaily times it was the custom in some piovinces foi some of the
ielatives of a ueceaseu peison to manifest mouining by cutting theii haii,
beating theii bieasts anu by geneial wailing. But now We have given instiuctions
to the savants to go iounu the vaiious chuiches anu to pieach that the family of
the ueceaseu shouluapait fiom weaiing a black patch on the euge of the uiess
as a sign of mouiningcease the cutting of haii, the beating of bieasts, anu
weaiing special mouining clothes. Bence, as the

savants pieacheu with uiligence, the hopeless mouining foi a ueau peison has
giauually easeu.

(6) As We weie convinceu that We hau the iesponsibility to piotect the
chuich anu to see that the laws given to hei weie fiimly kept lest hei faith be
shaken, We gianteu one uay each week on which the savants anu uoctois might
appioach 0s anu uiaw attention, peisonally, to all the uifficulties of the chuich;
consequently, the pioblems of the chuich giauually easeu.

Apait fiom this, while iegulations have been uiafteu, the following matteis have
foi the time being iemaineu in abeyance:

(1) In Ethiopia the numbei of piiests is veiy laige. To all of these the
goveinment hau allocateu as iest-lanu, inuiviuually in each piovince, fiom one
half to one gasha of lanu (i.e. appiox. 4u to 8u acies). This lanu, having been
assigneu as heieuitaiy, passes on to chiluien's chiluien anu, theiefoie, the
chuich is unable to make piovisions with iegaiu to it. Fuitheimoie, beginning
with the Empeioi, piinces, noblemen, anu all otheis like them, not even lauies
excluueu, coulu assume the uuties of chuich waiuens, anu in that case the
Empeioi useu to allocate to them heieuitaiy lanu of between 2uu anu 7uu
gashas. It was 0ui intention, howevei, to biing about a situation wheie
heieuitaiy lanu shoulu cease to belong to inuiviuuals by viitue of this chuich-
waiuenship but shoulu become that of the chuich; that the ueans of chuiches
shoulu allocate, fiom the income of these piopeities, auequate amounts to the
piiests, ueacons, choiisteis, anu ieaueis foi theii livelihoou; as iegaius any
suiplus, the ueans of chuiches shoulu builuaftei piopei consultations anu with
the goveinment helping them ovei any ueficit that might aiiseschools anu
hospitals, homes foi the ageu anu euucational establishments foi the chiluien of
the pooi.

As it woulu take 0s a long time to have these iueas of 0uis caiiieu out in the
chuiches all ovei Ethiopia, We aiiangeu to make a stait, by uemonstiating the
usefulness of the scheme anu its woiking methou, in the monasteiies of Zequala,
Auuis Alam, anu Assabot as well as the chuiches of Auuis Ababa anu in the
Nenelik II Nausoleum chuich.

Chaptei 27 - About 0ui aiiangements foi the appointment of bishops chosen
fiom among the savants of Ethiopia

IT uoes not appeai to 0s likely that anyone uoubts that Ethiopia besiues being
a veiy laige countiyhas liveu steaufast in hei Chiistianity fiom the 4th centuiy
up to the piesent time, some 16uu yeais. In any event, one can be easily
convinceu of this fact by ieauing Ethiopia's histoiy.

But when Ethiopia accepteu Chiistianity, the seat of goveinment anu the
piincipal city of the iealm weie at Aksum; consequently, it was to that piovince
of Aksum that one bishop only was appointeu by the Aichbishop who was the
incumbent of the See of St. Naik at Alexanuiia. When he uieu, anothei woulu be
substituteu, but nevei weie theie appointeu seveial bishops in accoiuance with
the size of the countiy.

Recently, in 1864 (= 1872), uuiing the ieign of Empeioi Yohannes, foui Coptic
(i.e. Egyptian) bishops hau been appointeu anu eventually aiiiveu in 187S (=
188u1). The ieason was that Empeioi Yohannes, having enthioneu King
Nenelik ovei Shoa anu King Takla Baymanot ovei uojjam, hau intenueu to install
his son, Ras Aiaya, as King of Bagemeuei. Be was then to ietain one bishop foi
himself foi the Tigie piovince anu to uistiibute thiee bishops to the thiee Kings.
But the fouith bishop uieu befoie ieaching Aksum, while Ras Aiaya uieu befoie
becoming King; so the Empeioi uiviueu Ethiopia into thiee uioceses anu
assigneu them to each of the thiee bishops. Thus the cleigy weie ielieveu of a
tiiing jouiney to a uistant piovince, wheie the one single bishop iesiueu, in oiuei
to ieceive oiuination as piiest oi ueacon. When two of these thiee bishops uieu
anu weie not ieplaceu by otheis, theie only iemaineu Abuna Nattewos foi the
whole of Ethiopia; anu as his iesiuence was in the capital Auuis Ababa, membeis
of the cleigy, who came fiom the vaiious piovinces of Ethiopia to ieceive the
office of piiest oi ueacon, encounteieu gieat inconvenience anu liveu in a state of
some tuimoil.

As We weie awaie of the gieat uifficulties encounteieu by membeis of the cleigy
in this mattei, We set uown this 0ui opinion in wiiting, with piopei
uocumentaiy suppoit, to say that bishops shoulu be appointeu fiom among the
savants of the countiy, to toui theii uioceses pieaching anu confeiiing the
piiesthoou anu ueaconship. This was uespatcheu, with the seal of Empiess
Zawuitu anu my own, to the 0ithouox Patiiaich, Abuna Yohannes, at Alexanuiia.

Aftei Abuna Yohannes hau examineu the mattei with his luciu minu, he was
convinceu that this was a piopei iequest anu consequently sent to 0s the
following ieply: 'If you choose five fiom among the Ethiopian savants anu senu
them to us, it is oui intention to appoint them as bishops. We shall, howevei,
auuitionally uespatch a Coptic (Egyptian) bishop who shall be piimus among the
Ethiopian bishops, anu may you please appieciate this.'

When We infoimeu the piinces, nobles, uoctois, anu savants of this, the majoiity
ieceiveu the mattei with joy. But some membeis of the cleigy, although unable
to oppose 0ui view openly, uiu not stop tiying. This was not because they hau
investigateu the mattei thoioughly anu unueistoou it but it aiose fiom theii
subjugation to custom. Bowevei, in the couise of time We succeeueu in
convincing them that it woulu confei gieat honoui upon the chuich of Ethiopia if
this pioposal weie caiiieu out. They theiefoie infoimeu 0s that they hau
changeu theii pievious view anu assuieu 0s of the acceptance of 0ui plan.

Subsequently Namhei Basta, Namhei Bayla Naiyam, Namhei Walua Kiuan, anu
Namhei Bayla Nika'el weie selecteu anu We aiiangeu foi them to go to Egypt in
the month of uenbot 1921 (= Nay}une 1929).

Neanwhile, the Patiiaich, Abuna Yohannes, was waiting, having selecteu Abuna
Qeiillos, fiom among the monks of the monasteiy of Asqetis, whom he was
senuing as heau of the Ethiopian bishops; anu as soon as the Ethiopian savants
ieacheu Caiio, he immeuiately anu without uelay appointeu the five of them
togethei as bishops, i.e. on 2Sth uenbot (= 2nu }une).

Be (the Patiiaich) assigneu to them the following names: Namhei Basta to be
Abuna Abieham, Namhei Bayla Naiyam to be Abuna Petios, Namhei Walua
Kiuan to be Abuna Yeshaq, Namhei Bayla Nika'el to be Abuna Nika'el.

Abuna Petios was the bishop who uieu in maityiuom at the hanus of the Italians
when he was captuieu, in Bamle 1928 (= }uly 19S6), pieaching about Ethiopia's
fieeuom. Abuna Nika'el was batteieu to a maityi's ueath, at the hanus of the
enemy, in the town of uoie.

Aftei the bishops hau been appointeu to theii episcopal office, they ietuineu to
Ethiopia togethei with the Aichbishop, Abuna Qeiillos. Since We weie convinceu
that this was an unpieceuenteu event in Ethiopia, gloiifying the Ethiopian
Chuich, We aiiangeu that, upon theii aiiival at Auuis Ababa, the piinces anu
nobles, uoctois anu savants as well as the piiests of the vaiious chuiches shoulu
assemble en masse. Cannons weie fiieu anu a ceiemonial welcome was helu in
theii honoui.

Theieupon, because We meant them to begin theii woik of euucation by touiing
theii iespective uioceses, We maue the following uispositions:

The uiocese of Aichbishop Abuna Qeiillos is to incluue the whole of Shoa, the
uistiicts suiiounuing Auuis Ababa, anu auueu to this Baiai anu Aiussi.

Foi Abuna Abieham, uojjam anu Bagemeuei.

Foi Abuna Yeshaq, Tigie, Lasta anu Wag anu all the suiiounuing uistiicts.

Foi Abuna Petios, the entiie piovinces of Wallo anu Yajju.

Foi Abuna Nika'el, the aieas calleu Kaffa, Ilubaboi, Wallaga, anu the whole of
westein Ethiopia.

The man who hau been selecteu to be the sixth bishop was Etchage uabia Nanfas
Qeuuus of Babia Libanos. But as it hau been peimanently inconvenient foi him
to tiavel to Egypt with the savants, it was his goou foitune that latei on, in
Tahsas 1922 (= Becembei-}anuaiy 1929-Su), the Patiiaich, Abuna Yohannes,
came to Auuis Ababa to visit his chiluien in the faith anu immeuiately bestoweu
the iank of bishop upon Etchage uabia Nanfas Qeuuus anu nameu him Abuna
Sawiios.1S We assigneu to him as his uiocese the whole of southein Ethiopia.

It is wonueiful that at this time uou in his chaiity wiought two gieat woiks of
goou foitune foi the Ethiopian Chuich:

(1) The appointment of men, chosen fiom among Ethiopia's own savants, to
the office of bishop-something that hau nevei happeneu in some 16uu yeais,
fiom the time Ethiopia accepteu Chiistianity in the fouith centuiy up to the
piesent.

(2) The jouiney to Auuis Ababa of the Patiiaich, Abuna Yohannes, his
celebiating mass in an Ethiopian chuich anu his blessing of the people, while at
the same time appointing the Etchage of Babia Libanos to the uignity of a bishop.

Chaptei 28 - About 0ui coionation as Empeioi

0N the 17th Naskaiam 19u9 (= 27th Septembei 1916) I was chosen heii to the
thione anu iegent, with Queen Zawuitu occupying the thione; anu when I hau
patiently caiiieu out the woik of goveinment, foi fouiteen yeais, in my office of
iegent plenipotentiaiy, Queen Zawuitu uieu on 24th Nagabit 1922 (= 2nu Apiil
19Su) anu, consequently, on the moiiow I was pioclaimeu Empeioi anu
assumeu the thione.

As iegaius the succession to thione anu ciown, we have ieau in histoiy that, at a
time when Ethiopia liveu in isolation anu befoie she hau establisheu ielations
with foieign countiies, the pievailing custom hau been, at the uemise of the
Empeioi, foi his ueath often to iemain caiefully unannounceu. They woulu then
place his son anu heii on the thione anu ciown him immeuiately that veiy uay.
0nly aftei the son's ieign anu coionation hau been announceu by pioclamation,
woulu they give a ceiemonial buiial to the ueau King.

At othei times again, at the uemise of the Empeioi, the officeis of the ioyal
householu woulu take him clanuestinely anu buiy him, befoie anyone coulu heai
about it, anu on the moiiow they woulu place his son anu heii on the thione;
aftei they hau conuucteu the ioyal installation seivice anu ciowneu him, the
ueath of the fathei anu the new ieign of the son woulu be announceu by
pioclamation at the same time.

But now that Ethiopia hau concluueu tieaties of commeice anu fiienuship with
twelve foieign goveinments, hau enteieu the League of Nations, anu hau
establisheu fiim fiienuly ielations, We weie convinceu that it was piopeiin
accoiuance with the piactice of the most civilizeu goveinments in the case of
theii coionationsto invite to 0ui coionation the countiies which hau set up
legations anu consulates in Ethiopia. But as it woulu iequiie a long time to
uespatch the letteis of invitation anu to await the aiiival of the uelegates, as well
as to make all the necessaiy piepaiations foi the coionation, We aiiangeu foi
the ceiemony to be postponeu foi seven months.

Aftei this, letteis of invitation weie wiitten anu uespatcheu to the kings anu
piesiuents whose names follow heie:

To B.N. ueoige v, King of Englanu, Empeioi of Inuia.

To B.N. victoi Emmanuel III, King of Italy.

To B.N. Biiohito, Empeioi of }apan.

To B.N. Albeit II, King of the Belgians |shoulu ieau: Ij.

To B.N. uustaf v, King of Sweuen. To B.N. Wilhelmina, Queen of Bollanu. To B.N.
Fuau I, King of Egypt.

To B.E. N. Boumeigue, Piesiuent of the Fiench Republic.

To B.E. Ni. Boovei, Piesiuent of the 0niteu States of Ameiica.

To B.E. Fielu-Naishal von Binuenbuig, Piesiuent of the ueiman Republic.

To B.E. Nustapha Kemal Pasha, Piesiuent of the Tuikish Republic.

To B.E. N. Conuouiiotes, Piesiuent of the uieek Republic.

Fuitheimoie, the Polish uoveinment hau initiateu conveisations to concluue a
tieaty of commeice anu fiienuship with the Ethiopian uoveinment, but by the
time 0ui coionation uay came, these negotiations weie still not completeu. The
Poles then uemonstiateu theii goou will by ueclaiing: 'Although the tieaty is not
yet signeu, we shall senu an envoy to the coionation, since we have mutually
manifesteu oui thoughts of fiienuship.' We theiefoie infoimeu the Piesiuent, N.
Noscicki that it was 0ui intention to ieceive theii envoy with gieat pleasuie.

This maik of fiienuship which the Polish uoveinment hau shown 0s at that time
iemaineu foievei engiaveu in 0ui heait.

Again, as We have explaineu befoie, since in eailiei times the coionation was
helu on the veiy uay the son anu heii ascenueu the thione, theie was no time to
invite the piinces anu nobles of each iegion. But now that We hau aiiangeu foi
0ui coionation to be postponeu foi seven months, letteis of invitation weie sent
all ovei Ethiopia to piinces anu nobles anu all the heaumen, the piiois of
monasteiies anu the ueans of catheuials, that they shoulu come anu paiticipate
in 0ui joy. A lettei of invitation was also wiitten to Abba Amua Naiyam, the
Piioi of Babia Bizan which hau iemaineu well known anu esteemeu in its
impoitance fiom eaily times when the Kings of Ethiopia hau conseciateu it as a
monasteiy, although touay it is within the Italian colony |of Eiitieaj.

As the following months weie pait of the iainy season, instiuctions weie
tiansmitteu to all to stay put in oiuei to piepaie foi the jouiney, to set out at the
enu of the month of Naskaiam (eaily 0ctobei), when the iainy season hau
passeu, anu to ieach Auuis Ababa towaius the 2uth of Teqemt (= Suth 0ctobei).

Aftei these invitations hau been uespatcheu to the foieign goveinments anu to
the gieat within Ethiopia, aiiangements weie maue foi the piincipal stieets of
Auuis Ababa anu the houses along each stieet to be iepaiieu as well as foi
electiic light to be installeu along the main stieets anu in all the houses by which
the guests woulu pass.

The impeiial vestments, the ciown anu the oib, the impeiial sceptie anu the
swoiu, the iing anu all similai things weie specially maue of golu anu uiamonus.

Foimeily the only uistinctive maik of honoui foi piinces hau been theii goluen
heaugeai. But now We aiiangeu that the goluen heaugeai shoulu be foi Rases
who hau been appointeu by viitue of haiu woik anu seivices, while foi the
Ciown Piince anu foi piinces of ioyal uescent We hau maue a peail-stuuueu
heau-geai (coionet), smallei than a ciown but excelling the goluen heaugeai in
size anu in beauty of woikmanship; foi the lauies of 0ui family anu the wives of
piinces goluen uiauems, smallei than those foi piinces, anu coiiesponuing to
theii iank.

Foi militaiy commanueis (i.e. foi Bejazmatches) vestments anu heaugeai weie
maue of lions' manes that weie inteilaceu with golu anu embioiueieu with
velvet.

Fuitheimoie, golu meuals weie manufactuieu in laige quantities on which the
effigies of myself anu Empiess Nanan weie engiaveu togethei anu which weie
to be given as souveniis to foieign guests coming to 0ui coionation, eithei by
invitation oi of theii own volition, as well as to notables anu impoitant peisons
fiom within the countiy.

Subsequently, between Teqemt 8th anu 2uth (i.e. 0ctobei 18th-Suth), the foieign
envoys who hau been inviteu began to aiiive at Auuis Ababa, each in his tuin.

Beie follow the names of the envoys:

B.R.B. the Buke of uloucestei, envoy of B.N. the King of Englanu;

B.R.B. the Piince of 0uine, envoy of B.N. the King of Italy; B.E. N. ueiaiu, envoy
of B.N. the King of the Belgians;

B.E. Baion B. K. C. Bilut, envoy of B.N. the King of Sweuen;

B.E. }onkheei Benuiik Nauiits van Baeisma ue With, envoy of B.N, the Queen of
the Netheilanus;

B.E. N. Isabuio Yoshiua, envoy of B.N. the Empeioi of }apan;

B.E. Nuhammau Tawfiq Nasim Pasha, envoy of B.N. the King of Egypt;

B.E. Naishal Fianchet u'Espeiey, envoy of the Fiench Republic;

B.E. Ni. B. N. }acoby, envoy of the 0.S.A.;

B.E. Baion von Waluthausen, envoy of the ueiman Republic;

B.E. Count P. Netaxa, envoy of the uieek Republic;

B.E. Nuhittin Pasha, envoy of the Tuikish Republic;

B.E. Count Bzieuuszycki,9 envoy of the Polish Republic.

All these guests expiesseu to 0s theii pleasuie at the ceiemonial ieception which
We aiiangeu foi them upon theii aiiival.

Fuitheimoie, We hau causeu to be set up, in the vicinity of the ioyal chuich of St.
ueoige, a statue of the gieat Empeioi Nenelik II. The woik was eventually
completeu anu it was then ueteimineu that it shoulu be inauguiateu on the eve
of the coionation. Consequently, aftei all the guests who hau come foi 0ui
coionation hau aiiiveu with much ceiemonial to be piesent theieat, We maue a
lengthy speech explaining the piopiiety of eiecting a statue to Nenelik II. When
We hau finisheu, We gave the honoui of uncoveiing the veil with which the
statue hau been wiappeu to B.R.B. the Buke of uloucestei. Be appioacheu the
monument, iemoveu the cuitain, anu when the statue was seen the joy in the
heaits of Ethiopians was inestimable.

0n this uay, towaius evening, the Bajeionu (tieasuiei) placeu the Impeiial state
vestments anu the ciown, the oib, the Impeiial sceptie, the swoiu, anu the
uiamonu iing as well as the Empiess's state iobes anu ciown anu uiamonu iing
on a chaiiot anu took it in a gieat paiaue to the ioyal chuich of St. ueoige wheie
he consigneu it to the Aichbishop anu wheie it iemaineu all night to be piayeu
ovei.

We anu the Empiess, 0ui family anu piinces anu nobles went to the chuich at
miunight.

It hau been aiiangeu that 0ui foieign guests shoulu only aiiive at seven o'clock
in the moining anu they then took theii seats which hau been piepaieu on the
iight anu on the left of the thione accoiuing to theii iank. The seating oiuei
pioviueu that Ethiopian piinces anu nobles shoulu be inteispeiseu among the
foieign guests.

Befoie the sei'ata negs (the ioyal iitual) began, the Aichbishop, Abuna Qeiillos,
appioacheu with a gospel bounu in golu anu askeu 0s to complete the following
woius of the oath:

(1) That We shoulu stiengthen the oithouox faith which hau iemaineu
steaufast in Ethiopia fiom the uays of the holy kings Abieha anu Asbeha anu that
We shoulu keep, without uistuibance, the laws anu oiuinances which the
oithouox Chuich has laiu uown.

(2) That in all We aie uoing, by 0ui authoiity anu 0ui powei, to the people in
the Impeiial iealm of Ethiopia We shoulu act with consiueiation foi the inteiests
of the people accoiuing to law as well as with kinuness anu with patience.

(S) That We woulu peimanently maintain the laws We hau establisheu aftei
submitting them, of 0ui own fiee will, to the Council foi auvice anu that We
woulu safeguaiu the entiie Ethiopian iealm anu people in accoiuance with
establisheu law anu the oiuinances of the Council.

(4) That We woulu assist, by 0ui goou will anu authoiity, the establishment
of schools at which seculai anu spiiitual euucation woulu be uevelopeu in
Ethiopia anu in which the gospels woulu be pieacheu.

Aftei We hau completeu the sweaiingin ceiemony, affiiming 0ui willingness
to maintain all that is laiu uown above, We appenueu 0ui signatuie theieto.

Subsequently, the Aichbishop assigneu to the six bishops theii iespective
functions in the coionation seivice, anu then piayeis weie begun. 0f these
bishops five weie Ethiopians. The sixth was Abuna Yosab who hau come fiom
Egypt as the envoy of the Patiiaich of Alexanuiia, Abuna Yohannes, to paitake in
the joy of 0ui coionation anu to convey his blessing.

Aftei the Aichbishop anu bishops hau completeu the seivice, peifoiming
ieauings anu piayeis, with the choii singing, the Aichbishop appioacheu anu
anointeu 0s with the oil of Kingship anu placeu the Impeiial ciown on 0s. At this
moment 0ui heii to the thione, B.B. Asfa Wassan, iemoveu the coionet fiom his
heau anu, when he knelt befoie 0s, the Aichbishop appioacheu with a uospel
anu askeu him to take the following oath:

(1) that he woulu honoui his fathei with his whole heait anu be obeuient to
him;

(2) that he woulu not seek, in association with evil men, what We hau not
given him of 0ui own will;

(S) that he woulu keep the laws which We hau establisheu aftei iefeiiing
them, of 0ui own fiee will, to the Council foi auvice.

Aftei he hau swoin to fulfil this, he appenueu his signatuie to it.

Subsequently the coionation seivice of the Empiess commenceu. The pioceuuie
foi the enthionement of the Empiess is touay veiy uiffeient fiom what it useu to
be pieviously. Accoiuing to 0ui histoiical stuuy of the eailiei piactice, the
Empiess was not anointeu with the oil of kingship on the giounus that she uiu
not shaie in iuleiship with the Empeioi. The ciown, being meiely symbolic, was
veiy small. It was in the palace that the Empeioi placeu the ciown on hei heau
anu not in chuich. This occuiieu on the thiiu uay, foi it was not peimitteu foi hei
to be ciowneu on the same uay as the Empeioi. But now it was ueteimineu aftei
consultation, anu was accoiuingly caiiieu out, that, except foi the iegal
anointing, the Aichbishop shoulu place the ciown on hei anu put the uiamonu
iing on hei fingei anu that this shoulu be on the same uay jointly with the
coionation of the Empeioi.

Chaptei 29 - About 0ui setting up a Constitution

IN foimei times, when kings iuleu the people accoiuing to theii own will, be it in
Euiope, Asia, oi Afiica, theie useu to be a goou ueal of upheaval anu uiveigence
between the kings anu the people as well as membeis of the ioyal family. The
histoiy of the goveinance of many countiies uemonstiates this.

In oui countiy, in Ethiopia, it useu to be uone likewise. We hau, theiefoie, been
contemplating the piomulgation of a constitution foi 0ui ieign, to bequeath to
0ui heiis a foim of iule that is baseu on law anu to biing 0ui people into
paitneiship in the woik of goveinment; in fact, while We weie still Ciown Piince
anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the Ethiopian iealm, We hau tolu Queen Zawuitu
that it woulu be of gieat benefit to the goveinment anu the people if a
constitution weie establisheu. But some of the gieat nobles, to whose auvantage
it was to iule the countiy without a constitution, hau pietenueu that it woulu
uiminish the uignity anu authoiity of Queen Zawuitu if a constitution weie set
up. Foi this ieason 0ui plan hau iemaineu unfulfilleu.

At that time, although We weie Regent Plenipotentiaiy, theie weie complex
ciicumstances involveu. Befoie tackling any majoi affaiis, I useu to infoim B.N.
Empiess Zawuitu. If she accepteu the mattei I aiiangeu foi it to be caiiieu out at
once. Yet if she uiu not appiove, I uiu not wish to upset hei anu uo things by
foice (insisting that I was Regent Plenipotentiaiy) but iathei to convince hei by
iepeateuly ieveiting to the mattei. This aiose fiom the consiueiation that it was
necessaiy to be caieful lest uistuibances oi bloousheu shoulu occui in the
countiy. Bence I patiently uelayeu the establishment of a constitution. But aftei
the ueath of Queen Zawuitu on 24th Nagabit 1922 (2nu Apiil 19Su) We
inheiiteu ciown anu thione by uue piocess of law anu, theiefoie, ueciueu to set
up the constitution We hau planneu eailiei on uuiing 0ui iegency. Bence We
examineu the constitutions of vaiious countiies anu chose people who possesseu
expeiience anu knowleuge of foieign countiies, as well as those veiseu in the
customs anu eaily histoiy of each piovince insiue the countiy, anu commanueu
them to select anu extiact, fiom the constitutions of foieign countiies, what was
appiopiiate foi the Ethiopian peopleanu then to submit iecommenuations to
0s.

When these hau been set uown in wiiting anu hau been piesenteu, We examineu
them anu then gave oiueis to the following peisons to make a joint stuuy anu to
submit them piepaieu foi signatuie:

Fiom among the nobles:

Ras Kassa Baylu,

Ras Baylu Ta'kla Baymanot,

Ras Seyum Nangasha,

Ras uugsa Aiaya,

Ras Emiu Bayla Sellasse;

Fiom among ministeis:

The Ninistei ofWai: Fitawiaii Beiiu Walua uabi'el,

The Ninistei of the Inteiioi: Bitwauuau Walua Tsaueq uoshu,

The Foieign Ninistei: Blattengeta Beiuy Walua Sellasse,

The Ninistei of the Pen: Tsahafe Te'ezaz Walua Nasqal Taiiku;

Fiom among officials:

Bejazmatch Yegazu Bahabte,

Bajeionu Takla Bawaiyat.

These men who hau been instiucteu to investigate the mattei anu then to
piesent it ieauy foi signatuie hau iemaineu uisuniteu in theii views anu hau,
theiefoie, spent a gieat ueal of time aiguing in 0ui piesence. Ras Emiu, alone
among the nobles, hau shaieu the opinion of the ministeis anu officials, while the
iemaining foui nobles weie uniteu among themselves in a iathei uiffeient view.

The opinion of the nobles was that Ethiopia, having been uiviueu into vaiious
laige piovinces, each shoulu be given as heieuitaiy piopeity to the nobles
passing on fiom geneiation to geneiation; that theii uescenuants shoulu not be
uisinheiiteu, unless it weie pioveu against them that they hau committeu some
seiious ciiminal act against the Empeioi oi the goveinment; that the piovincial
lanuowneis within theii uomain, having the iegion they holu iecognizeu as theii
heieuitaiy piopeity, shoulu continue to pay taxes to the nobles anu iemain
subseivient to them. In geneial this connotes a feuual foim of goveinment.

But the opinion of the ministeis anu officials was as follows: If Ethiopia, uiviueu
into its iespective laige piovinces, weie given as heieuitaiy piopeity to the
nobles anu lanuowneis, passing on fiom geneiation to geneiation, anu if it weie
claimeu that appointments weie limiteu to theii uescenuants, how was theie to
be a iising geneiation in the futuie. If a man has stuuieu anu given seivice anu
yet uoes not obtain office oi an auministiative appointment, how can he say
'Ethiopia is my countiy'. Theiefoie, let the piesent nobles anu lanuowneis,
unless some wiong-uoing is pioveu against them, stay on in theii office of
goveinoi only; but if they aie uismisseu foi some misuemeanoui oi uie, then let
any Ethiopian who possesses the knowleuge anu ability be appointeu to theii
goveinoiship, foi |exclusivej succession within the family is not a piopei
pioceuuie. But if theii sons aie founu to be like othei men in knowleuge anu in
seivice, then let the Empeioi in his wisuom appoint them to theii fatheis'
goveinoiship oi othei post of iank; yet it uoes not appeai to us piopei foi it to
be laiu uown in the constitution that theii goveinoiship shoulu pass fiom fathei
to son as heieuitaiy piopeity.

When the nobles saw that the ministeis anu officials uiu not accept the opinion
they hau submitteu, they put foiwaiu, as an alteinative, the following plan unuei
which it woulu be laiu uown in the constitution that some uistiicts only, out of
the many within theii goveinoiships, woulu pass on as heieuitaiy. But the
ministeis anu officials iefuseu to accept this view anu iemaineu steaufast in theii
eailiei opinion.

When We heaiu that the men whom We hau selecteu foi this task iemaineu
uiviueu in theii opinions, We aiiangeu that both siues shoulu submit theii
pioposals, togethei with suppoiting eviuence, in wiiting. Aftei We hau examineu
the mattei, We ueciueu as follows: The Empeioi may assign heieuitaiy lanu-
iights anu lanu helu as a fief eithei to nobles oi to othei seivants of the iealm. A
paiagiaph to this effect is to be wiitten into the constitution anu in futuie things
aie to be aiiangeu as iequiieu, having iegaiu to theii seivices; but, so We
explaineu to the nobles, it was no longei piopei that, since We weie awaie that
feuual iule hau ceaseu in the woilu, We shoulu now once again ie-affiim it,
eithei having it laiu uown in the constitution oi goveining without a constitution.
0nce matteis hau been claiifieu, they weie to be wiitten uown anu piepaieu foi
signatuie.

Afteiwaius We aiiangeu foi nobles anu ministeis, aimy commanueis anu
piovincial goveinois, chiefs, bishops anu savants, foi all to assemble at an
impoitant ceiemony. Then the constitution which hau been piepaieu foi
signatuie was ieau out to them anu all affiimeu theii view with one voice: 'We
like it; let it be set up.'

Neveitheless, in Ethiopia foi some thiee thousanu yeais, since the uays of
Nenelik I, the customaiy methou of iule was not a king who goveineu by a
constitution, having set up a pailiament, but an empeioi who goveineu by his
own authoiity alone. Some men who weie 0ui paiticulai fiienus uiu not
unueistanu the mattei anu theiefoie they auviseu me with sinceiity as follows:
Bow can you, by youi own action, hanu ovei to the people youi authoiity of
goveinment. Please cause this to be stoppeu. When I explaineu things to them to
the best of my ability, they accepteu the aigument. When the 9th uay of Bamle
192S (= 16th }uly 19S1) was fixeu as the uate foi the signing of the Constitution
anu the piomulgation of the ueciee, We gave oiueis to 0ui Ninistei of the Pen to
infoim the senioi officials anu to 0ui Foieign Ninistei to notify the foieign
uiplomats.

The foieign uiplomats aiiiveu with gieat pomp at 4 o'clock (= 1u a.m.) on the
appointeu uay anu stoou by theii seats accoiuing to theii iank. We then maue
the following speech explaining the ieason why We hau thought it iight to
establish a Constitution.

'We weie thinking that it was not enough foi 0s to thank 0ui Loiu with woius
alone foi the tiust We hau ieceiveu fiom uou to guaiu Ethiopia anu foi gianting
0s this high iank of Empeioi, noi was it sufficient to appease him with minoi
ueeus anu with what was of benefit to 0uiselves only; although We weie stiiving
to set up a constitution that was of benefit extenuing to eveiybouy, enuuiing foi
evei anu being tiansmitteu fiom geneiation to geneiation, this was still not
enough to iepay the Loiu's favoui; because We wisheu to ieveal to you 0ui
intention of entiusting to uou the fulfilment of the task We hau begun, We have
assembleu you heie at this houi in a gieat gatheiing.

Nobouy will fail to appieciate that law is the gieatest benefit to eveiy man. It is
fiom the equity of law that honoui anu auvantage aiise; it is fiom the ueficiency
of law that uistiess anu uamage iesult; it is thiough failuie to set up law that
violence anu injuiy giow.

While uou, being above eveiy cieatuie, woulu not finu it uifficult to issue oiueis
by Bis woiu alone, yet Bis instituting law is because Be knew that law shoulu be
the supieme iulei of the whole woilu.

Be who meiits being calleu just among men, in whatevei spheie it might be, is
the peison who stiives anu enueavouis, by the knowleuge given to him, to
benefit the majoiity (even though not all mankinu as a whole) when puisuing his
piincipal aims.

Although foi a numbei of ieasons 0ui plan hau been uelayeu in its execution,
0ui entiie enueavoui, which We hau initiateu a long time ago, hau been to set up
a fiamewoik of law foi the state. Theiefoie, 0ui iuea which We puisueu
steaufastly anu which We foimulateu foi Ethiopia anu 0ui beloveu people is to
ueclaie to you now, fiist, 0ui gianting a constitution to the Ethiopian people anu,
seconuly, 0ui wish to follow this law meticulously anu to maintain it.

In this constitution which We aie giving to the Ethiopian people, the piincipal
iueas foimulateu in it aie the following:

(1) It is to biing about that, Ethiopia being one family unuiviueu by sections, the
people shall live in unity contiolleu by one law anu goveineu by one Empeioi,
anu that this powei of unity shall be safeguaiueu by the inteiests which binu
them peimanently togethei, anu, while the inteiests of the inuiviuual shall not be
abanuoneu, the stiength of the uniteu community shall be paiamount. Without
saciificing the benefits uue to inuiviuuals oi oneself, one is not to seek uivisive
piivate inteiests.

(2) The law, in its function of confeiiing auvantage oi punishment, shall be
equitable without showing favoui to whomevei it may be.

(S) By viitue of the fact that in past times the people of Ethiopia iemaineu cut
off fiom othei countiies anu weie, theiefoie, unable to secuie the auvantages
which the gieat civilizations of touay confei, as well as by viitue of auheiing to
theii own age-olu civilization, the Kings of Ethiopia, being like goou fatheis to the
people, continueu caiiying on theii woik of auministiation. But now, since 0ui
people has piogiessively auvanceu, in whatevei spheie, to a highei level of
civilization, time has peimitteu 0s to establish a constitution anu to biing the
people into paitneiship in 0ui toil, so as to accomplish the heavy task of
goveinment with which eailiei kings have hau to stiuggle on theii own.

It is necessaiy that at the piesent time the Ethiopian people shoulu join in all the
woik of goveinment. We have, theiefoie, set up two chambeis of Pailiament, so
that all peisons suitably qualifieu foi this task shoulu become paiticipants in the
woik.

The counsellois who tenuei auvice in these chambeis shall come fiom each
piovince, being chosen by the Empeioi's authoiity, until the people aie able to
holu elections on the basis of euucation anu knowleuge. The auvice, to be
ueciueu by majoiity voting, will come into foice when it has been appioveu by
the Empeioi.

(4) 0nce auvice has been tenueieu by Pailiament anu been appioveu by the
Empeioi, it is the iesponsibility of ministeis to apply it to the whole of Ethiopia
anu to caiiy on the affaiis of the goveinment anu the people.

(S) Lest uistuibances shoulu bieak out anu cause haim to Ethiopia, it has
been ueteimineu by law that the Ethiopian impeiial uignity shall not at any time
seceue fiom the uynasty in iespect of which it has been wiitten into this
constitution.

(6) The neeu foi law aiises so that any conuition of life, as it is being
impioveu, shall be on a well-oiueieu anu tiustwoithy basis, foi it is knowleuge
that amelioiates anu moueiates eveiything. So that the auministiation of
Ethiopia in whatevei spheie shall be leu towaius knowleuge, it is iight that we
shoulu always seek the selective acceptance of all knowleuge in its vaiious kinus.

(7) This constitution which We have establisheu is not just iule fiction oi
uiscoiuant with the countiy's customs, foi it closely appioaches that of the
civilizeu anu euucateu nations; in its piepaiation We hau the help anu iueas of
0ui nobles anu 0ui officials anu of othei Ethiopian subjects whom We hau
chosen foi theii ielevant knowleuge.

Nan makes a beginning, but it is uou alone who has the powei to accomplish
things; We place 0ui tiust in uou that Be may giant 0s to biing into effect this
constitution which We have set up.

Youi Excellencies, foieign envoys anu consuls, We thank you foi having come to
shaie 0ui joy anu to honoui with us this foitunate uay on which We have
establisheu anu signeu the constitution.'

When We hau finisheu this speech, 0ui Ninistei of the Pen ieau out the
following text of the pioclamation:

'Baving been chosen to the Impeiial uignity of Ethiopia by uou's goouness anu
the people's uniteu accoiu, acting unuei the law anu pieseiving the tiust which
We have ieceiveu fiom uou when We weie anointeu on accepting, by uue
piocess of law, the ciown anu the thione, We have biought about that 0ui
successoi shoulu take ovei fiom 0s by lawful means anu opeiate within the legal
fiamewoik, establishing iegulations by which he will give piotection to 0ui
countiy in honest auministiation unuei the law; We have chosen to set up a
constitution, explaining anu expounuing 0ui iueas, because We weie hoping to
cause pleasuie anu to contiibute to Ethiopia's piospeiity, to the stiength of 0ui
goveinment, anu to the piofit anu benefit of 0ui beloveu people.

The basis upon which the Ethiopian iealm is to be fiimly placeu in futuie anu
which justifies the establishment of a constitution iequiies a tiusty safeguaiu, so
that the conuition of 0ui state shall foievei be stable anu fiimit being well
known how this is ueteimineu by the law upon which this founuation iests anu
by the stiength with which the law is applieu.

Foi this ieason, evei since We have occupieu the Impeiial thione of Ethiopia anu
ieceiveu this gieat tiust fiom the hanu of uou, We have iecognizeu the uuty to
ueciee anu to employ means by which 0ui iealm will be stiengtheneu, the
stanuaiu of living of 0ui people be impioveu, anu 0ui population be leu on the
ioau to highei civilization anu enjoyment, by which they will obtain all the goou
things which the fiee anu civilizeu nations have achieveu.

The most piouuctive thing necessaiy to effect this, We have iecognizeu, is to
have the entiie woik of goveinment well oiganizeu, aftei claiifying the neeu foi
a futuie constitution, to ensuie an enjoyable stanuaiu of living foi the people,
anu to have the state exist in peace anu secuiity by which honoui will be attaineu
that passes fiom one geneiation to anothei.

As it was 0ui lofty iuea to biing 0ui iealm to the highest level in its long histoiy,
We have establisheu, by ueciee, this constitution of 0ui own fiee will, without
being iequesteu by anyone, in the 2nu yeai of 0ui ieign, in 192S (= 19S1), when
occupying the Impeiial thione.'

Subsequently, the constitution which hau been piepaieu in wiiting was
piesenteu, anu aftei We hau signeu it fiist, then, beginning with 0ui heii to the
thione, the bishops anu piinces, ministeis anu notables anu officials, all
appenueu theii signatuies to it. The foieign uiplomatic envoys signeu foi the
sake of a memento, wiiting theii names in a specially piepaieu iegistei.

Chaptei Su - A commentaiy on the Constitution

0N the siue of the officials anu the people theie weie few who knew what the
meaning of a constitution was, but since We consiueieu it essential that they
shoulu all unueistanu it, We uiiecteu, uuiing the week in which the constitution
was signeu, that all officials anu many of the people shoulu assemble; 0ui
Ninistei of Finance, Bajeionu Takla Bawaiyat, then auuiesseu them anu
explaineu in the following uiscouise:

'Youi Najesty!

The iuea which has been iealizeu in Ethiopia this yeai anu the plan which has
been initiateu is of a kinu which has nevei befoie been caiiieu out in any countiy
in the woilu at any time whatsoevei.

A level towaius which Ethiopia uiu not piogiess in two oi thiee centuiies has
been biought about by Youi Najesty in one iapiu maich foiwaiu, thus causing
hei to ieach a high anu lofty iank. The abunuant benevolence which you have up
to now shown to each one of us has been astonishing. But touay's instance, while
not excluuing anyone, extenus to the entiie Ethiopian people all at once anu is
tiuly amazing.

Because this is being accomplisheu in oui time anu Be has gianteu us to see anu
to heai it, oui goou foitune will assuieuly be well iemembeieu. It can, theiefoie,
not be uoubteu that it will seive to gloiify oui time, not only foi Youi Najesty's
sake but even foi ouis. It will biing honoui to futuie geneiations that come aftei
us.

Altogethei Ethiopia has founu a souice of life that will secuie hei existence
hencefoith anu, while hei powei uevelops, she is able to give out light
uninteiiupteulyshining foith like a sun foi evei. Theiefoie all those enquiiing
into woilu affaiis, both men of the piesent time anu those to aiise in the futuie,
aie full of unceasing aumiiation foi the kinunessunexampleu in the woilu
which Youi Najesty has uone to Ethiopia, quite suuuenly with no-one expecting
it, by Youi fiee will anu benevolence, while only Youi unueistanuing anu stuuy,
Youi sinceie minu anu obvious intelligence weie guiuing You. Bistoiy will juuge
you above the goou anu wise kings.

It is moie than thiee thousanu yeais that Ethiopia has been known in its
nationhoou. Fiom that time till touay Ethiopia has stietcheu out hei hanus
towaius uou anu has been waiting patiently foi some gieat benefit; anu it is only
now that uou has causeu hei, at Youi Najesty's hanu, to be favouieu by the
uivine blessing.

It is by Bis cieating the whole woilu with inviolable anu fiim laws, ueteimineu
foi evei, that the Cieatoi causes us to believe in Bis existence anu supieme
iuleiship.

It is thiough manifesting, by thoiough stuuy, the Cieatoi's law anu thiough
obseiving it that man's gieatness is paiticulaily iecognizeu. In this way he biings
honoui upon himself anu also seives his fellows. To confei suitable benefits
upon Ethiopia, nothing bettei coulu be uone than to set up a constitution.
Nobouy will fail to appieciate that it was because Youi Najesty was above all
convinceu that no gieatei benefit appiopiiate foi Ethiopia coulu be founu that by
Youi own will You establisheu a basis foi the founuation of Youi goveinment
anu ueteimineu a constitution foi the goveinance of the peopleanu not on
account of some fanciful oi othei ieason.

While all this was planneu not only foi those of us who aie alive now, We iealize
that it was uone with a view to safeguaiuing the inuepenuence of the coming
geneiation; hence oui giatituue is sinceie.

Since Youi Najesty is convinceu that laying a founuation foi goveinment anu
setting up a pillai of law is the main consiueiation iequiieu foi safeguaiuing oui
geneiation, we natives of Ethiopia anu all Youi subjects aie able to appieciate
anu to assess the value of this anu to iecognize the auvantages which You have
wiought foi us; theiefoie, all Youi toil will not be in vain. But foi this favoui
which You have uone foi us who live at the piesent time, can we evei know how
to make an auequate ietuin. 0i can a countei-favoui, whatevei it may be, evei
be sufficient.

Befoie making the appiopiiate iesponse to this question which I have poseu,
may I fiist iequest Youi Najesty giaciously to accept my sinceie giatituue which
I piesent befoie Youi thione foi having peimitteu me, Youi humble seivant, the
inteipietation of this gieat concept befoie this august assembly.

Youi Bighnesses the Piinces, Youi Excellencies the chiefs anu officials! What I
iequest of you now is to peimit me to explain to you the inteipietation of the
thoughts unueilying the ueciee piomulgateu on 9th Bamle (= 16th }uly), so that
you may be awaie of the piofunuity anu subtlety of the iuea, of who is to be the
fiist beneficiaiy of it, anu what we aie to uo to ienuei auequate ietuin foi Bis
Najesty's gieat favoui.

Well then, I will myself pioviue answei anu uiscussion to the matteis I have
mentioneu above anu if, aftei listening patiently, you finu fiivolity in what I say,
you must chiue me; but if you uiscovei matteis of substance, you shoulu stoie
them in youi heait.

AB00T TBE C0NSTIT0TI0N

Youi Najesty has giaciously causeu it to be pioclaimeu that fiom now on anu
foievei the goveinance of Youi impeiial iealm is to be by the ueteimination of
the law. Constitution, i.e. the law of the iealm, means to set up well, to constitute.
It is like setting something up by selecting fiom two oi thiee things anu uniting
them into one only. Foi instance, the 'constitution' of a wall is establisheu by foui
things: stone, lime, sanu, anu stiaight levelling. Anu similaily, a countiy, people,
king, anu law, when uniteu togethei, foim the basis foi the establishment of a
goveinment, anu the concept of theii being fuseu togethei is calleu a
constitution. It will be founu iecoiueu in woilu histoiy that many gieat men, in
vaiious epochs anu in uiffeient countiies, toileu haiu to haimonize, with well-
uisposeu application, the iueas unueilying the establishment of a goveinment.

Let us then inuicate to you all the vaiious kinus of expositions that have been
piesenteu as conuitions anu piinciples to be applieu to the fiaming of
constitutions in the woilu.

(1) A king with unlimiteu poweis, in the absence in his countiy of any special
customs oi iegulations, will uo as he pleases, with his capiice as the only
piinciple guiuing him fiom uay to uay, anu biing about foituitous changes
accoiuing to his chaiactei. Be punishes without piopei juugement, anu kills anu
hangs people. A goveinment of this kinu may be suitable foi pagans but it is not
appiopiiate foi a Chiistian people. The woiu of the uospels uoes not peimit it.
An example of this woulu be, if a man liveu in an accumulation of stones in a
fieluas in a caveinanu if they suuuenly collapseu they coulu ciush him. This
woulu be calleu aibitiaiy goveinment. Succession to the thione is accoiuing to
the chance of time anu supeiioi stiength anu may change fiequently anu
abiuptly; each time such a change occuis it splits the people into factions,
seeking to annihilate each othei anu making theii fate constant bloousheu anu
mutual uestiuction.

(2) A king with unlimiteu poweis, in the absence of piopeily specifieu
wiitten legislation, pioceeus by long-establisheu custom hanueu uown fiom
geneiation to geneiation. Be is thus able to apply punishment as well as meicy,
to appoint anu to uismiss as well as to holu couit in open assembly, to awaiu
honouis anu to issue cleaily uiafteu pioclamations. If suuuenly he commits some
wiong, no iestiaint can be placeu upon him. uoveinment of this kinu has mostly
iemaineu to be piactiseu among peoples foi whom no constitution has been set
up. An example of this woulu be a house built with natuial stone walls without
moitai. This woulu be calleu a goveinment existing by custom which possesses a
measuie of toleiance. The succession to the thione is to the faction to which the
chance of time may offei it.

(S) A king with full authoiity may have specially appointeu counsellois who
piepaie legislation foi him anu woik by meeting in special assemblies on
specifieu occasions. The numbei of peisons who aie peimitteu to tenuei auvice
is uefineu anu they aie selecteu fiom among the piinces, officials, anu people of
each pait of the countiy; if the auvisoiy assembly is helu in two oi thiee sections,
then the chambeis aie to be oiganizeu anu uiviueu in accoiuance with these
sections. The peisons who aie to be counsellois within each section aic chosen
accoiuing to the iank of theii iespective paities. Pailiament is uiviueu into
chambeis of piinces, notables, anu the people. But those selecteu foi the people's
chambei, it is by the people's choice that they aie appointeu accoiuing to the
iules; anu consequently they seive as counsellois foi a fixeu teim only, then they
aie iemoveu again anu otheis aie once moie electeu anu substituteu foi them.

All theii uelibeiations aie to be ueciueu by majoiity vote anu aie then to be
submitteu to the king in wiiting; if the king likes theii counsel anu accepts it, he
then confiims it. Be subsequently causes it to be piomulgateu. Afteiwaius the
ministeis, in accoiuance with instiuctions unuei the law, have to see it is caiiieu
out. They have to put on tiial people tiansgiessing the law anu see that they aie
punisheu.

Revision oi complete change of the law is unueitaken aftei piopei consultations
about it accoiuing to the (existing) law.

uoveinment of this type is calleu joint iule ueteimineu by law. Succession to the
thione in no ciicumstances passes outsiue the uynasty. It iests fiimly upon the
woius of an oath anu thieat of excommunication enteieu into by the king, the
piinces, the notables anu the people. An example of this is a house whose walls
aie built with stone, lime anu sanu.

(4) Then theie is a iepublican foim of goveinment wheie the heau of the
iepublic is appointeu by the will of the people foi a fixeu peiiou. A goveinment
like this is a communal goveinment subject only to the authoiity of the people.

The piesiuent of the iepublic uemits office at the piesciibeu time anu is
succeeueu by the next one likewise electeu by the will of the people. In a
iepublican goveinment, the piesiuent of the iepublic, the ministeis anu
counsellois aie electeu entiiely by the choice of the people. Any pioposal that
has to be caiiieu out is ueciueu upon by the paity with the majoiity of populai
votes. Such a goveinment is calleu goveinment of the people. uoveinment of this
type is not foi veiy uneuucateu anu uncivilizeu people. Even in civilizeu
countiies it often causes gieat uifficulty anu leaus to bloousheu.

Even if theie exists anothei methou of goveinment apait fiom those
enumeiateu, none has been uiscoveieu that is bettei than these foi the conuition
of man at the piesent time.

Theie is no limit to man's uesiies, anu as such uesiies inciease they have no
benefit foi life but iemain meie concepts. I have, theiefoie, shown you the
vaiious kinus of goveinance that exist in the woilu anu that can be of use to
man's life. Well then, it is the thiiu methou of goveinance foi which B.N. Baile
Selassie I has opteu in the belief that it will be suitable foi the conuitions in
which Ethiopia exists at piesent, i.e. the goveinment of Ethiopia is foi evei to be
a goveinment of the King of Kings (= Empeioi), with the Empeioi possessing full
authoiity anu the piincipal ueteimination of the law being by the Impeiial will,
while foi the necessaiy matteis of uetail he is to be auviseu, foi the time being,
by the assembly of piinces anu notables; these matteis aie to come into foice
when appioveu by the Empeioi's authoiity. Latei on, when the people have been
euucateu to an auequate stanuaiu of knowleuge, they will be peimitteu to elect,
on theii pait, men to whom the piivilege of counselloiship is to be given.

This means that foi the piesent the Empeioi is appointing the piinces, notables,
anu officials as tutois foi the people, so that they shoulu guiue the populace
towaius amelioiation.

Thus the constitution given to Ethiopia by B.N. Baile Selassie I may be biiefly
uefineu as follows:

(1) The goveinment of Ethiopia is foi evei an Impeiial iealm. The Empeioi
possesses full authoiity, but his iule is subject to legal ueteimination.

(2) The Senate anu Chambei of Beputies aie fiimly establisheu foievei anu
cannot be iemoveu; the counsellois aie to be electeu at a pieueteimineu time
fiom each pait of the countiy fiom among the piinces, notables, officials, anu
people.

(S) The piincipal laws, by viitue of being baseu on the Empeioi's knowleuge,
shall iemain peimanently valiu.

(4) Laws conceining matteis of uetail aie to be examineu by Pailiament anu
to be ueciueu by majoiity vote; aftei they have been iatifieu by the Empeioi's
authoiity, they shall be piomulgateu.

(S) Ninisteis aie to be iesponsible foi the woik of theii iespective
uepaitments anu have to see to it that theii woik is caiiieu out in the whole of
Ethiopia.

(6) It is the Empeioi alone who is in supieme commanu of all the aimeu
foices in Ethiopia.

(7) It is the Empeioi alone who can awaiu senioi authoiity anu iank, office
anu iights, uecoiations anu honouis, heieuitaiy lanu-iights anu fiefs (iest anu
gult), as well as majoi giants of lougings anu maintenance.

(8) The Empeioi alone can pioclaim wai oi peace.

(9) Aftei a malefactoi has been convicteu by uue piocess of law, it is only the
Empeioi who is able to lighten his sentence oi to paiuon him altogethei.

Now, then, that I have explaineu the establishment of the basis of goveinment, in
its vaiious foims, which is teimeu 'constitution', may it be youi wish to let me
expounu also the concept of what is calleu 'law'.

AB00T TBE LAW

The meaning of law is the obligation of goveinment to uefine eveiy contiact
maue between men, so that secuiity anu peace be cieateu foi the conuitions of
life in the woilu. The meaning of law is also that it shoulu holu iesponsible any
man tiansgiessing a contiactual obligation anu hanu him ovei to the poweis
possessing the iesponsibility of enfoicement. This being so, law pioviues foi
man a uistinct uefinition of what it peimits to him, so that he may fully benefit
fiom it. Fuitheimoie, the law, while waining man of the uuties incumbent upon
him, oiueis him to fulfil his obligations. Anything that is peimitteu to man to
benefit by is calleu the iight of exeicise of enjoyment. This iight of enjoyment is
uiviueu into two main paits:

(1) Piivate piivileges aie those which aie foi each peison in his inuiviuual
capacity.

(2) }oint piivileges aie those which aie foi the whole people in its entiiety
anu foi Ethiopia in hei uniteu capacity.

Piivate anu joint concepts may be of thiee kinus:

(1) The inteiests of livelihoou (woiluly goous);

(2) The inteiests of the minu (knowleuge);

(S) The inteiests of the innei life (love anu ieligion).

Empeioi Baile Selassie I has given laws as iegaius the geneial juuicial concepts
foi all these inteiests, piivate as well as communal, which have been iefeiieu to.
But foi matteis of uetail he has set up what is calleu a constitution as a basis foi
the establishment of goveinment, so that the counsellois shoulu submit to him
(as we have shown above) the legislative pioposals they have piepaieu in
Pailiament.

0p to now I have spoken in oiuei to expounu what a constitution is anu also how
the ueteimination of laws is to be uone. I shall now explain in uetail the answei
to the questions I have piesenteu to you befoie.

TBAT WE NAY KN0W N0T0AL AIB ANB 0NITY

What Empeioi Baile Selassie I has uone foi us, othei kings have uone foi theii
countiies. But in othei countiies impiovements of this kinu weie not caiiieu out
by an act of spontaneous geneiosity but thiough bloousheu anu compulsions anu
by leaving behinu a sense of uangei foi all.

But in oui countiy, while the euucational level of the people is as yet inauequate,
oui Empeioi, in weighing up anu estimating the ueficiencies anu auvantages foi
the futuie, has been meaning to impiove the conuuct of oui foitunes anu has
aiiangeu, by his wisuom anu his will, that Ethiopia shoulu iise up fiom the
conuition of meie custom, in which she hau been living hitheito, anu pass on to a
highei level of civilization. What makes this so veiy astonishing is the fact that all
this is being accomplisheu in such peace anu secuiity, while Ethiopia tuins away
fiom the situation in which she hau been up to now anu makes piogiess all of a
suuuen, the Empeioi being in accoiu with his suppoiteis anu seivantsall in
unity, mutual aiu, anu joy.

This fact is by itself enough to biing honoui to Ethiopia anu ienuei hei an equal
with the civilizeu nations.

In oiuei to iepay Bis Najesty's geneiosity, we must juuge foi ouiselves anu
impose an obligation upon ouiselves so as to be tiuly anu sinceiely submissive.
When Bis Najesty has been giaciously pleaseu to establish foi us such an
esteemeu pioject, unless we make an equally giacious anu willing ietuin foi
those benefits, we shall give offence to oui Empeioi, on the one hanu, anu to
most people, on the othei, as well as incuiiing hatieu all iounu; that is, if we aie
seekeis, on the naiiow ioau, of oui own inteiest only anu uespise oui common
benefit which ties us to the nation.

The meaning of law is a stiong anu unchallengeable foice which is oiuaineu to
exist among men in sanctity, puiity, anu honoui; it is a iequiiement of
peacefulness to be a safeguaiu of the inteiests existing among menpiopeily
poiseu anu foi evei inuestiuctible. That which safeguaius the law itself is its
faithfulness in tiue impaitiality anu sinceiity in the fulfilment of contiacts tieu to
covenants.

This contiact attacheu to a covenant, iefeiieu to as law, specifically cautions on
eveiy occasion those uwelling in the woilu, lest they tiansgiess the piopei limits
in any of theii uaily occupations; the law uefines those limits foi them, biings
them into haimony, anu ueliveis them fiom enmity.

Theiefoie, the law ueseives to be honouieubeing the supieme powei above
all. Anu we, all the natives of Ethiopia, it is oui obligation anu oui uesiie to live in
futuie with honoui foi the law, taking gieat caie nevei to foiget that we have
enteieu into this covenant knowingly anu willingly.

Anyone seeking to inteifeie with the moue of living peimitteu to eveiy man by
law oi seeking to cause upheaval ueseives to be iebukeu befoie the Cieatoi anu
by the assembly of the people; he also ueseives to be punisheu as an eviluoei
befoie the king. Likewise, if a man fails to caiiy out what the law has
commanueu him oi if he is founu tiansgiessing what the law has ueteimineu,
then he ienueis himself liable to be punisheu by that law.

It is the Empeioi who has enteieu into a contiact sanctioneu by covenant to
safeguaiu with uiligence that the people may benefit to the full fiom eveiy aspect
of life which the law peimits; anu it is up to us to see he succeeus in this.

Again, it is the same Empeioi who has enteieu into a contiact sanctioneu by
covenant to apply foice lest anyone shoulu be guilty of a tiansgiession which the
law foibius; let us then stiive, foi his sake, to the best of oui ability to biing
about success foi this as well.

The existence of a binuing covenant between the Empeioi anu the people entails
a uesiie anu an obligation foi both paities in unison anu not foi one siue only.

Theiefoie, theie is no gieatei benefit foi us than the uesiie anu obligation that is
mutual to both siues. By the Empeioi's action of giving us the law anu by oui
action of accepting, honouiing, anu fulfilling it we aie able to make oui life in this
woilu one of hope anu loyalty. As a consequence, all oui thoughts will be tianquil
anu this will let us take caie to initiate anu to biing to fiuition all kinus of
impoitant anu beneficial ueeus.

We aie not wiong in consiueiing this the main concept foi oui countiy's
piospeiity. If theie weie no law we woulu have no hope amounting to any soit of
confiuencebut only violence anu injuiyanu oui heait woulu become
insensitive. 0ui life, on account of oui unsuccessful plans, woulu become
unsettleu anu unstable.

0pon such conuuct, oui woilu woulu iemain without piopei basis, a thing of iule
hopes only. When we come to assess the uamage of all this, we cannot fail to be
veiy conscious of the giavity of the mattei. But by viitue of the fact that it is the
Empeioi who gives the law anu theieby becomes the custouian of the people's
benefits anu ueficiencies, he is given the special piivilege of supieme authoiity
anu iights. It is of the essence that this shoulu foi evei iemain his peisonal
pieiogative anu thus no othei man can challenge him. Aftei his life-time it passes
by uue inheiitance to his chiluien anu these, in tuin, accoiuing to pieceuence
will take ovei anu caiiy on the woik of goveinment accoiuing to law, but it
cannot be tuineu ovei to anothei uynasty. It is all the natives of Ethiopia in theii
entiiety who have enteieu into a contiact sanctioneu by covenant to be
guaiantois of this aiiangement.

The piincipal auvantage ueiiving fiom this is that it shoulu stop the quaiiels anu
upheavals which aiise each time on the occasion of the succession to the ciown
anu thione, anu that it shoulu pievent the mutual exteimination which the
uivision of the people into factions causes as well as the uismembeiment anu
paitition of Ethiopia.

If any man weie to oppose oi to infiinge the Empeioi's authoiity, the people's
inteiests, oi the powei of the law, then he woulu, by his own will, have become
an outlaw, anu no uefence whatevei coulu be founu foi him to save him fiom
punishment. Fiom now onwaius, Ethiopia, by viitue of being piotecteu anu
ienueieu tianquil in eveiy iespect, will on one hanu inteinally piogiess in eveiy
spheie of hei stanuaiu of living anu continually giow in wealth; on the othei
hanu again, as fai as the outsiue woilu is conceineu, she will be able to concluue
tieaties, acciuing to hei benefit anu honoui, with hei neighbouiing countiies
iegulating all mutual ielations anu consonant with Ethiopia's long-teim
inteiests.

It is thus not veiy uifficult foi us to appieciate that these two methous of
amelioiation iepiesent something of majoi value. When a basis foi the
establishment of goveinment is set up anu the law is uefineu, it is not possible at
the same time to uiscuss piecisely anu biing about eveiy ueteimination of
matteis of uetail. This is because the people's moue of living is so veiy vaiiegateu
in type, extent, anu geneial uistinctions. But oui hope is absolute that in the
couise of time, as the neeu aiises, peimission is bounu to be gianteu, anu this
inspiies oui heait with confiuence foi the futuie.

When that time comes, the full extent of Bis Najesty's geneiosity will be cleaily
seen. While it was peifectly possible foi him to iule accoiuing to his wishes like
the kings in the past anu to act as his momentaiy capiice maue him, he
abanuoneu all this anu, by his own will anu geneiosity, laiu a fiim basis foi the
establishment of his goveinment anu gave fieeuom to his people within the
fiamewoik of the law. When he uiu this, he uiu not compel us to choose a
paiticulai kinu of law anu to live unuei it by simply tianslating the constitution
of one of the civilizeu nations. If it hau been uone like this, it woulu have been to
oui uetiiment iathei than oui auvantage. 0n the contiaiy, he saw to it that the
constitution was in accoiuance with the countiy's customs, the people's
euucational level, the economic uifficulties, anu with the spiiit of the times; he
peimitteu the people themselves to auvise on what was suitable foi the time
being, to be the custouians of the constitution, anu to make theii views known.

Any pioposal that hau to be ueciueu upon by majoiity vote iequiieu to be
examineu by the piopeily anu specifically establisheu pailiament, i.e. by the
assembly of counsellois specially selecteu; if the pioposal was suitable to
become law accoiuing to the constitution, it was to be piomulgateu aftei
iatification by the Empeioi's authoiity. Foi the piesent, no bettei methou of
legal pioceuuie can be ueviseu foi us. Aftei iatification anu piomulgation by the
Empeioi, it has been aiiangeu that the ministeis who possess full poweis shall
be iesponsible foi the execution of the law; anu no man whatsoevei, be he gieat
oi small, shall be in a position to tiansgiess the law.

Well now, I have explaineu to you the ioau along which Ethiopia is to be ieneweu
anu guiueu as well as the ieason foi the uiffeiences compaieu with hei eailiei
situation; hencefoith things will be uiffeient in that Ethiopian legislation is to be
ueviseu by the knowleuge of inuigenous Ethiopians anu to be appioveu by the
Empeioianu is no longei to be a mattei that is exclusively unuei the guiuance
of foieigneis.

The authoiity of ministeis will have iefeience to all matteis uiiectly conceining
the goveinment anu the people; chief among these aie agiicultuie, cattle-
bieeuing, manufactuie, tiaue, the piocess of justice, anu all othei similai matteis.

Fiom now onwaius, no man will be able to extinguish, by powei oi foice, the
iights gianteu to the people, oi to infiinge theii inteiests, oi to cause upheaval in
oiuei to biing about change capiiciously, oi inueeu to commit acts of violence
anu outiage.

Fiom now onwaius the law will be a safeguaiu to ensuie that no poweiful
peison oi upstait shall subuue the weak oi the pooi. It has, theiefoie, been
aiiangeu to have a piinteu veision of the law anu to make it available
eveiywheie, so that anyone may take note of the law anu will thus be able to
save himself fiom oppiession unuei the piotection of the constitution.

Fiom now on legal safeguaius have been establisheu, so that the veiuict of the
juuges shall be impaitially uispenseu; anu fiom this the people will be able to
benefit veiy gieatly. What is peimitteu to the people hencefoith is peisonal
libeity anu enjoyment of noimal life, though not fieeuom of lawless conuuct
noi to uo anything outsiue the law. This iecognition has been embouieu in the
law, so that man's intelligence be uncoveieu anu be uiiecteu piopeily, that he be
able to piofit fiom his woik anu not be uepiiveu of his inheiiteu lanu. But if the
law weie meiely wiitten uown anu iemaineu thus, it woulu be like a ueau
peison; hence an obseivei anu piomotei has been appointeu, so that it be
applieu piopeily. The piouuct of all this will be a secuie peace, impiovement of
civilization, anu auvancement in the stanuaiu of living.

When I say that peaceful secuiity will ensue, it is because it has been willeu that
to live by foice anu aibitiaiiness is foibiuuen anu that to live by law alone has
become an obligationanu also because eveiything has been fiimly baseu on
unity, so that it be

piotecteu with caie. Fuitheimoie, it is also because ministiies foi the successful
achievement of woik have been specially set up, with the appiopiiate
uistiibution of theii iespective tasks, anu because they have been given the
necessaiy authoiity anu iightful

powei to biing about the fulfilment of theii iespective uuties without mutual
fiiction.

If the supeiioi powei of the law uoes not succeeu in making eveiybouy
iesponsible to it, then injustice is bounu to be uone to someone, as one man's
injuiy is anothei's benefit; theiefoie, it is essential that the law shoulu be above
eveiybouy.

When I say that impiovement in civilization will ensue, it is because, when a man
is alloweu to piofit fiom his woik, he is bounu to compete anu stiive to put his
inheiiteu piopeity iight anu make it piospei, to auvance his stanuaiu of living by
accomplishing things thiough the skill of his hanuiwoik; he will save time by the
knowleugeable use of new instiuments anu efficient methous anu will thus be
able to obtain consiueiable piofit with little effoit anu at little expenuituie; in all
things of this kinu he will engage in iivaliy anu competition.

When I say that economic auvance will ensue, it is because man will now be able
to become wealthy if he pioceeus along all the ioaus accessible to him, anu
eveiybouy is bounu to stiive to eniich himself by haiu woik anu to auvance anu
to impiove his stanuaiu of living.

Now that I have assesseu, sepaiately, the auvantages anu uisauvantages incuiieu
by the Empeioi anu the people anu have iefeiieu to the contiactual obligations
anu wishes, authoiity anu iights, by which the two siues aie tieu to the covenant,
it is piopei to iecalllest we foigetthe uuties incumbent upon us.

While the king anu people aie bounu unuei the covenant to live by the
obligations anu iequiiements which the law commanus, we aie likewise
mutually bounu by covenant to assist them, each of us accoiuing to his entiie
ability, thiough tiue seivice anu a sinceie minu, as well as to join togethei in all
things ielating to Ethiopia's unity; I have theiefoie ieminueu you of obligations
anu iequiiements that cannot be sheu by us. Fuitheimoie, since it is necessaiy
foi the law to be equal foi eveiyone, it is essential foi all natives of Ethiopia,
small anu gieat, iich anu pooi, euucateu anu uneuucateu, all without uistinction,
to piofit by it accoiuing to theii fate. Even though a law may be set uown in fine
woius, unless the substance embouieu in it is to be tiuly caiiieu outas we have
just uesciibeuoi if some inuiviuual is able to tiansgiess the law anu to act
wilfully, then it will iemain a meie sham anu cannot become the ieal moue of life
suitable foi a civilizeu Chiistian goveinment anu nation.

We have saiu that Empeioi Baile Selassie I, when uefining by law this basis of
goveinment which he has establisheu1 anu when giaciously gianting it to us, has
at a stioke iaiseu Ethiopia fiom the position in which she hau been anu has
manageu to place hei on the high level which the civilizeu nations have attaineu.
When oui Empeioi ievealeu to us such a lofty thought, intenuing to holu us up to
honoui, anu if we, on oui pait, expose him by failing to accept his plans oi by
iefusing, negligently, to extenu oui help, then this will be testimony against us
that we aie seeking, by oui own uoing, a place of uishonoui.

As iegaius this fieeuom, while some people fail to unueistanu the meaning of the
libeity gianteu to us in teims of lofty thoughts anu a fine anu genuine intellect, it
is oui uuty to caution oui fellow-men close to us lest they be ueceiveu into
thinking that it is licence that has been gianteu to them. Whatevei fieeuom, may
be peimitteu, it is necessaiy foi eveiyone to appieciate that licence is not
acceptable.

Lest anything like this shoulu happen, it seems to me supeifluous to have to
mention that the poweis of enfoicement of the Impeiial goveinment aie entiiely
auequate.

Anything that the law has oiuaineu, only that same law can abolish, thiough
ievision anu with the Empeioi's peimission, but no-one else can cancel it. It is
neeuful foi us to have patience, foi it always takes a lot of time to accomplish a
gieat concept. That means that this entiie plan, bioauly conceiveu, cannot be
successfully caiiieu out in a uay, anu we must appieciate that sufficient time is
iequiieu foi its fulfilment. Bence some people, lacking the patience to wait foi
the iight time, claim that the law has been set uown in wiiting but has not been
acteu upon; lest they shoulu annoy the people anu make them lose hope, it is oui
uuty to explain matteis to oui fiienus wheievei we go. Theie is no-one leaving
school who has acquiieu knowleuge in a uay. All that has been saiu cannot, it
seems to me, cause any uispleasuie to the heaits of those who love theii
goveinment anu theii king.

A wiue-ianging concept of this kinu is not to be initiateu on slight founuations,
anu the essence of the scheme is to get to know fiist of all, by caieful ieseaich,
the piincipal skills with which the initiative is to be successfully accomplisheu.

If we set to woik without assessing anu weighing up the piofit anu loss which
this may entail foi the people, i.e. if we pioceeu on the stiength of wanton anu
fiivolous plans, not only shall we fail to ieach a high level of civilization but we
shall, in fact, be bounu to uegeneiate anu ietiogiess towaius ignoiance. I uo not
suspect that you, gentlemen, who aie heie touay will make any mistake about all
this. But you cannot fail to assess the level of knowleuge of peihaps a majoiity of
the people outsiue this auuience, anu it is, theiefoie, essential that you who aie,
by the Empeioi's wish, leaueis anu tutois shoulu cause them to be patient anu to
wait until they aie able to analyse the auvantages anu uisauvantages.

In oiuei to appieciate the ieal meaning anu value of fieeuom it is necessaiy, fiist
of all, to stuuy anu to uevelop an enquiiing minu. An euucateu peison will
himself be awaie anu take caie to iestiain himself fiom acts of licence. But an
uneuucateu peison iequiies as guiues men who possess knowleuge anu
upiightness, so that he may save himself fiom peiuition anu be useful to himself
as well as to otheis.

Apait fiom this, it is youi uuty anu piivilege to be of seivice to oui countiy anu
to oui Empeioi to the best of youi ability, as you aie youiselves an example by
which the infeiioi peison iecognizes the uuty of complete obeuience to his
supeiioi, anu the supeiioi appieciates the piopiiety with which he is to issue
oiueis to his infeiioi.

If in these ciicumstances we weie all of us lenuing a hanu, the gieat buiuen
which has fallen upon the Empeioi alone woulu be easeu foi him by being
shaieu anu by being spieau to all of us; anu thus the task woulu be quickly
accomplisheu to the gieat benefit of the people thioughout Ethiopia.

While we thus apply ouiselves to oui task jointly with oui Empeioi who is
enueavouiing to iule with tiuth anu justice, without withuiawing the geneiosity
which so benefits the people, thinking only of the tiue anu lofty concept without
feai oi favoui, anu without cuibing the uuty which is so pleasing to uou, let it be
oui foiemost uesiie anu effoit that oui countiy, Ethiopia, shoulu attain a highei
level anu that theieby oui entiie geneiation be blesseu.

Now, gentlemen, I have spoken thus fai to the best of my ability, anu if it has
been to youi satisfaction, then I, on my pait, shall always be piepaieu at any
futuie time it may please Bis Najesty to explain with my entiie minu the piopei
application of the law.'

Following this, the two houses of pailiament weie maue ieauy, anu the fiist was
calleu Senate, the seconu Chambei of Beputies.

Foui months latei, "We aiiangeu that the counsellois chosen fiom each uistiict
shoulu come to Auuis Ababa, anu pailiament was openeu with gieat celebiations
on 2Siu Teqemt 1924 (= 2nu Novembei 19S1), the fiist anniveisaiy of 0ui
coionation as Empeioi.

Since these happenings uistuibeu the minu of the enemy, anu not content with
being upset in his heait only, he ueclaieu: 'The initial stages of the piesent
activities of the Ethiopian uoveinment aie veiy woiiying, anu it is theiefoie
necessaiy that we Italians shoulu now think about it veiy seiiously.' A man who
was fiienuly with both siues tolu us the actual woius he hau heaiu being utteieu.

Chaptei S1 - The Italians engage in ueceitful piopaganua

RAS BAYL0 is the son of King Takla Baymanot of uojjam. When King Takla
Baymanot was still calleu Leuj Aual, he maiiieu Wayzaio Laqatch, a ielative of
Empeioi Takla uiyoigis who ieigneu in 1861 (= 1868), anu then ieceiveu the
title of Ras. Latei on, aftei Empeioi Yohannes hau succeeueu to the thione in
1864 (= 1872), he gave him the ciown anu pioclaimeu him King of uojjam in
187S (= 1881).

King Takla Baymanot hau othei sons calleu Ras Bazzabeh anu Bejatch Balaw.
Aftei the ueath of King Takla Baymanot, Empeioi Nenelik assigneu the
goveinoiship of uojjam to Ras Baylu. But at that time he was calleu Bejazmatch
Seyum.

Bowevei, fiom the beginning all his activities hau been of a ueceitful natuie;
since he meant to biing about the uownfall of his fathei's officeis, he causeu
imitations of theii seals to be engiaveu anu then wiote messages suggesting that
they weie betiaying Empeioi Nenelik. When he submitteu these to Empeioi
Nenelik, the officeis uenieu having uone anything of this soit; when, as a
consequence of theii piotest, the mattei was investigateu, it was ievealeu to his
uisgiace that he hau tieacheiously causeu these fictitious seals to be engiaveu.
Be was, theiefoie, conuemneu to impiisonment, but aftei he hau iemaineu at
Afqaia foi 7 yeais, Empeioi Nenelik in his goouness ieleaseu him fiom piison
anu iestoieu to him once again the goveinoiship of uojjam. Be subsequently
maiiieu Empiess Taitu's niece, Wayzaio Assalla-fatch, anu in honoui of the
weuuing in 19u1 (= 19u8-9) he ieceiveu the title of Ras. Be then gave up the
name Seyum anu auopteu the name Baylu. Leuj Iyasu, entiiely at the iequest of
his fathei, King Nika'el, maiiieu Ras Baylu's uaughtei, Wayzaio Sabla-Wangel.

Ras Baylu useu to piepaie a fine welcome foi all the Italians passing thiough
uojjam anu to give them an escoit. Apait fiom this, he pietenueu to be ill anu
useu to tiavel to anu fio to the Italian commeicial agents anu uoctois iesiuent at
Bessie oi uonuai.

The Italians who weie appointeu as iesiuent commeicial agents at uonuai,
Bessie, anu Nagalo useu to be selecteu foi theii meuical tiaining. The ieason was
that by being able to meet uistiict goveinois anu the people in the couise of
meuical woik they weie conveniently in a position to caiiy on theii ueceitful
piopaganua.

We nevei ceaseu suspecting all these Italian activities. But, on one hanu, We
weie minuful of 0ui tieaty obligations anu, on the othei, We felt that, if We
foibaue the people, living in the uistiicts which hau an agent, to go to the agency
foi meuical tieatment, the Italians woulu accuse 0s befoie the woilu claiming
that We weie impeuing civilization; We theiefoie waiteu patiently until We
uiscoveieu majoi eviuence of these activities.

Latei on, when Italy maue eneigetic iequests to establish a consulate in uojjam,
We gianteu hei peimission, as it seemeu to 0s piopei to honoui the tieaty of
fiienuship; she subsequently set up the consulate.

The ieason foi which customaiily a iequest was maue to appoint a consul was
that subjects (of the applicant powei) weie iesiuent in the aiea conceineu anu
weie engageu in commeice theie. But Italy uiu not possess a single subject oi
meichant, be he white oi black, at Babia Naiqos, anu thus eveiybouy was awaie
that it was foi piopaganua puiposes only. Theie, in the consulate compounu, the
consul establisheu a clinic, anu the notables anu the people of uojjam went theie
foi meuical tieatment.

We uiu not suspect that Ras Baylu hau any thought that the goveinment of
Ethiopia shoulu be abolisheu anu become Italian. But aftei some lapse of time
We finally heaiu that the Italians weie telling him that, if he weie to cause the
escape of Leuj Iyasu fiom his place of uetention, he (Ras Baylu) woulu, when
Leuj Iyasu became Empeioi, be pioclaimeu at least King of uojjam, his fathei's
goveinoiate, anu possibly even King of uojjam anu Bagemeuei. Bis uaughtei
woulu in that case become Queen consoit. They fuithei tolu him that the Italian
uoveinment woulu assist him in eveiything he iequiieu in biinging this about
anu in any uifficulties he might encountei.

This piece of auvice by the Italians hau enteieu ueeply into Ras Baylu's heait anu
he was waiting foi a suitable moment to attempt this pioject; he, theiefoie, came
to 0ui coionation to Auuis Ababa anu stayeu foi about two yeais; anu
meanwhile he began scheming in seciet, with the help of money anu by all othei
means at his uisposal, to biing about the escape of Leuj Iyasu fiom his place of
uetention at Fitche. The ueceitful plan which hau been ueviseu foi this was as
follows: when Leuj Iyasu hau escapeu fiom uetention at Fitche, he was to cioss
the Nugai anu meet Ras Baylu at Netcha; he was then to cioss the Blue Nile at
uenuabaiat oi at some othei convenient spot, anu when he ieacheu Babia
Naiqos he was to issue a pioclamation about his empeioiship anu at once to
install Ras Baylu as King of uojjam; fiom theie he was to cioss into Wallo by way
of Bagemeuei, anu when at Bessie he was to assemble by mobilization ueciee
the aimies of uojjam, Bagemeuei, Semien, Tigie, anu Yajju; he was then to go to
Shoa anu, aftei fighting with 0s, was to entei Auuis Ababa.

If it weie peichance to happen that this plan of Ras Baylu's shoulu come to giief,
he hau spoken to the Italians about an aeioplane, so that Leuj Iyasu might
conveniently anu quickly cioss into uojjam by aeioplane. When a ceitain Baion
Fianchetti, befoie uepaiting fiom Asmaia, iequesteu peimission thiough his
legation to lanu in a laige fielu situateu between Auuis Alam anu the town of
uannat, because theie was no sufficiently laige fielu at Auuis Ababa on account
of the size of the aeioplane in which he was tiavelling anu which hau foui
engines, We hau no suspicion of any connexion with the affaiis of Leuj Iyasu oi
Ras Baylu anu gianteu him peimission to lanu neai Auuis-Alam. But the seciet
was the plan to engineei the escape of Leuj Iyasu, foi Netcha was neai Auuis
Alam.

When the aeioplane aiiiveu, many people who hau gone to ieceive it noticeu
that insiue it weie a machine-gun as well as iifles anu many caitiiuges. Aftei it
hau iemaineu theie, in the vicinity of Auuis Alam, foi about ten uays, it iequesteu
once moie authoiity to move to a fielu neai Auuis Ababa wheie the iauio-station
is situateu nowauays; We gianteu this peimission. 0nly latei on was it ievealeu
that the puipose of this was to take Ras Baylu fiom Auuis Ababa to aiiange a
convenient meeting with Leuj Iyasu. Bowevei, uou's uesigns pievail ovei those
of man, anu the plan by which Leuj Iyasu was to escape fiom Fitche went wiong
anu theie occuiieu a uelay in his get-away anu in issuing any infoimation about
his escape. Bence Baion Fianchetti, aftei waiting foi a whole month without
news of Leuj Iyasu, ietuineu to Asmaia with his aeioplane on 8th uenbot 1924
(= 16th Nay 19S2).

0n the fouith uay aftei Fianchetti's ietuin to Asmaia, Leuj Iyasu escapeu fiom
Fitche; anu when he ieacheu Yaya uullale he sent a lettei to Ras Baylu: 'I have
escapeu, anu now let us meet'. But since all the aiiangements Ras Baylu hau
pieviously maue hau gone awiy, he was not piepaieu anu quickly uespatcheu
the heauman of uenuabaiat to acquiie some fifty hoises foi him.

Leuj Iyasu hau sent letteis not only to Ras Baylu but also to othei chiefs; since
Ras Baylu meant to pietenu that he hau not been involveu in the mattei anu thus
to escape blame by seuuctive woius, he showeu 0s the lettei which hau ieacheu
him fiom Leuj Iyasu anu claimeu: 'Leuj Iyasu wiote to me in oiuei to seuuce me
by a iuse, but I have no mastei oi King othei than Empeioi Baile Selassie, anu
You aie bounu to iecognize that I am loyal to Youi goveinment.'

But Leuj Iyasu's escape anu Ras Baylu's involvement in the entiie affaii hau
alieauy been wiuely iumouieu at Auuis Ababa, anu many inuications weie
uiscoveieu which pioveu his involvement in the mattei. When his biiefcase
which was in his seivant's hanu was founu anu when its contents weie
examineu, the coue by which he coiiesponueu with Leuj Iyasu was uiscoveieu to
his uiscomfituie as well as othei signs mutually known only to these two.

When the man whom Ras Baylu hau sent to puichase hoises was seizeu anu
inteiiogateu, he gave eviuence against him anu confesseu that Ras Baylu hau
instiucteu him: 'When you have bought the hoises anu met Leuj Iyasu anu heaiu
what he has to say to you, come back!' But in the enu the Ras confesseu anu saiu:
'It is tiue that I have uone all this, foi Satan misleu me; only You in Youi
goouness can uo meicy unto me.' A week latei he came befoie the couit foi
juugement to be given when the juuges, unanimously, conuemneu him to ueath.

But We commuteu the sentence of ueath anu aiiangeu that he shoulu stay, with
his piopeity confiscateu, in confinement at a specifieu place. When Leuj Iyasu
hau waiteu foi some time foi Ras Baylu in the Netcha anu uenuabaiat iegions,
he heaiu of his aiiest anu impiisonment. Theieupon he ciosseu the Blue Nile,
anu when theie iemaineu a jouiney of only two uays befoie enteiing Babia
Naiqos, the people of uojjam seizeu him anu hanueu him ovei to Bejatch Basta
Bamtaw whom We hau uespatcheu foi this puipose.

In 19u9 (= 1916), when Leuj Iyasu was ueposeu, the Italians hau manifesteu
theii opposition to him anu hau spoken to 0s in this sense. But now they
pietenueu to be fiienuly towaius him anu aiueu his escape fiom Fitche; this
pioves that they weie uevising plans to take Ethiopia by piovoking us to fight
each othei, while they themselves woulu not have a single soluiei killeu in battle.


Chaptei S2 - As iegaius the visit to 0s by the

BEF0RE We became Beii to the Thione anu Regent Plenipotentiaiy of the
Ethiopian Realm, Sweuish missions hau set up a school at Auuis Ababa anu hau
begun teaching the English language anu the gospels to Ethiopian chiluien. These
missionaiies uiu not get involveu in any political matteis whatsoevei, eithei
insiue the countiy oi outsiue it, anu they weie engageu in teaching thiough
goouness anu geneiosity alone. Aftei We hau taken on the iegency We causeu
theii entiie woik to be investigateu by the Ninistiy of Euucation. When We hau
convinceu 0uiselves that they hau no thought othei than teaching languages anu
ieligious knowleuge, We uiu 0ui utmost to give them eveiy assistance in the
giauual expansion of theii activities. Noieovei, apait fiom extenuing to them aiu
at Auuis Ababa, We aiiangeu foi them to builu schools anu hospitals at Baiai
anu Laqa'mte anu to help the people living in these iegions with euucational anu
meuical facilities, while We gave them assistance with money anu lanu. These
missionaiies liveu in haimony with the people at Auuis Ababa, Baiai, anu
Laqamte.

Latei on, in 1916 (= 1924), when We visiteu Euiope anu also went to Stockholm,
the capital of Sweuen, We mentioneu to King uustaf, in the couise of fiienuly
conveisations, that the Ethiopian anu Sweuish peoples coulu get veiy close to
each othei.

0n 0ui ietuin fiom Euiope to Auuis Ababa We eiecteu, with 0ui own funus, the
Bet-Sayua Bospital anu appointeu Bi. Bannei whom We biought fiom Sweuen
anu who was well-known foi his suigical woik; in consequence many sick people
weie tieateu anu iestoieu to health. Fuitheimoie, We aiiangeu that he shoulu
puichase, impoit, anu set up the uiagnostic instiument calleu X-iay which hau
nevei befoie been seen in Ethiopia; in consequence the meuical woik of the Bet-
Sayua Bospital became piogiessively moie extensive anu successful.

Subsequently, We engageu fiom Sweuen the gieat scholai Bi. Kolmouin who was
to seive as auvisei to the Ninistiy of Foieign Affaiis; he pioveu to be of gieat
assistance to 0s, but he uieu at Auuis Ababa anu, a little latei, We hau his
iemains taken to Sweuen. Aftei this We askeu foi ueneial viigin in place of Bi.
Kolmouin anu aiiangeu foi him to come to Ethiopia wheie he was of gieat
assistance to 0s. These two Sweuish auviseis ienueieu seivices as if they weie
Ethiopians, anu 0ui ministeis, in theii iespective uepaitments, expiesseu theii
pleasuie to 0s.

We also biought Captain Tamm anu foui othei aimy officeis, anu when We hau
built baiiacks at uannat they offeieu instiuction in militaiy stuuies anu tiaineu
foi 0s many young men.

Foi these ieasons theie weie many Sweues living in Ethiopia, anu consequently
We gianteu peimission to establish, at the iequest of King uustaf, a Sweuish
Consulate at Auuis Ababa. Finally, the King infoimeu 0s officially in 1927 (=
19S4S) of his wish that his heii to the thione, uustaf Auolph, shoulu come to
Auuis Ababa on a ietuin visit foi that which We hau paiu to the King in 1916 (=
1924). We hau plans uiawn up by Euiopean aichitects foi a palace in which We
might ieceive this impoitant guest fiom a fiienuly nation, anu it was built anu
completeu within a yeai.

But Italy nevei ceaseu to look jealously upon any act of civilization that was
being caiiieu out in Ethiopia; anu when theie iemaineu only some 2u uays
befoie the aiiival at Auuis Ababa of 0ui guest, it appeaieu to hei that she coulu
pievent the ieception of 0ui guest. 0n 26th Beuai 1927 (= Sth Becembei 19S4)
she enteieu 0ui iealm at Walwal, launcheu a suipiise attack anu killeu many of
oui men. Theie weie at once many Italians who spieau iumouis in the city
suggesting: 'In the piesent tioubleu times the Sweuish Ciown Piince will not
come to Ethiopia but will tuin back fiom his jouiney; the wai is bounu to begin
befoie the new yeai.' We weie veiy appiehensive thinking that, if this iumoui
weie, peihaps, to be tiue, it woulu cause much soiiow to 0ui uistinguisheu guest
anu to 0uiselves.

Italy inteipieteu eveiything We weie uoing foi the sake of civilization by a
completely uiffeient ieasoning, anu We weie not oblivious of hei iumoui-
mongeiing befoie all the woilu. The stoiy which pioves this is that, when We
uespatcheu iepiesentatives on a ietuin visit to all the goveinments which hau
sent envoys to 0ui coionation helu in 192S (= 19Su) anu sent 0ui heii to the
thione to Englanu, Fiance, anu Italy, as well as envoys to the othei goveinments,
one of these countiies was }apan wheie We hau uespatcheu, to Tokyo, 0ui
Foieign Ninistei Blattengeta Beiuy. When he ietuineu having accomplisheu his
mission, the Italians began spieauing iumouis in the newspapeis to the effect
that Ethiopia anu }apan hau concluueu a sepaiate seciet tieaty anu, apait fiom
this, Ethiopia hau gianteu a concession of S million hectaies of lanu to a }apanese
company. The Italians weie, of couise, peifectly awaie of the fact that we hau
concluueu no such seciet tieaty oi concession, but theii spieauing of iumouis of
this soit was because it seemeu to them that the Biitish anu the Fiench, who
weie oui neighbouis, woulu be as envious of us as they weie. Ethiopia anu }apan,
apait fiom concluuing, eailiei on, a tieaty of commeice like othei goveinments,
uiu not even have negotiationslet alone a seciet tieaty oi concession! They
publisheu an even woise stoiy in the piess to the effect that the Ciown Piince of
Ethiopia was to maiiy a }apanese piincess. Foi this ieason 0ui Foieign Ninistei
summoneu the Italian Ninistei, Count vinci, anu askeu him: 'Why uoes the
Italian piess biing out menuacious news of this kinu about oui heii to the
thione. Aie you youiself not well awaie that oui Ciown Piince is maiiieu to a
wife fiom his own countiy.' The Ninistei ieplieu: 'This mattei occuiieu by
mistake anu I shall, theiefoie, aiiange foi this eiioi to be coiiecteu.' A week
aftei this conveisation he notifieu the coiiection of the mistake.

0ui iaising this stoiy now is not that We aie able to concluue wiiting about the
lying iepoits the Italians have been issuing against 0s but iathei because these
matteis aie connecteu; but let us ietuin to the uesciiption of the ieception
aiiangeu foi 0ui Sweuish guest.

Although the Sweuish Ciown Piince, B.R.B. uustaf Auolph, hau heaiu about Italy
stiiiing up uniest by launching a suipiise attack upon 0ui teiiitoiy at Walwal,
he uiu not consiuei tuining back fiom his jouiney anu aiiiveu at Auuis Ababa in
the month of Tahsas on the uay that hau been fixeu, i.e. the Ethiopian Chiistmas.

With him weie his wife, Piincess Louise, his uaughtei Piincess Ingiiu, anu his
son Piince Beitil as well as othei peisons in his suite.

The piinces anu notables of Ethiopia, incluuing even the oiuinaiy people, weie
conscious of the veiy fiim fiienuship existing between the Ethiopian anu
Sweuish nations anu they felt gieat pleasuie at seeing the Ciown Piince anu his
family. Aftei such a ceiemonial welcome of piofounuly felt fiienuship hau been
accoiueu to him foi about a week, he ietuineu to Sweuen.

Chaptei SS - About 0ui setting up a Reu Cioss Society

WE hau not thought that Italy woulu violate the obligations upon which she hau
enteieu within the League of Nations anu bieak the Kellogg Pact which she hau
signeu, that she woulu oveituin the tieaty of fiienuship she hau concluueu with
us in 192u (= 1928) to live in peace anu to eschew wai foi 2u yeais, anu inueeu
that she woulu wage wai against Ethiopia. When she attackeu Walwal anu killeu
oui soluieis, We notifieu the League of Nations because it seemeu to 0s that the
League might iestiain Italy fiom waging a majoi wai in futuie. But Italy, while
uiscounting any sense of shame, chose a momentaiy auvantage above a
peipetually honouiable ieputation anu tiampleu unueifoot all the tieaties which
she hau concluueu. 0ui Chaige u'affaiies at Rome, Nagauias Afa Waiq uabia
Iyasus, infoimeu 0s that Italy was unceasingly senuing laige quantities of
mateiial anu many soluieis to hei two colonies, anu consequently We uiiecteu
that a Reu Cioss Society be founueu at Auuis Ababa on 1st Bamle 1927 (= 8th
}uly 19SS) with the object of safeguaiuing the lives of 0ui soluieis as fai as
possible. Following upon this We at once enteieu the Inteinational Reu Cioss.
But the time since the establishment of the Society hau been veiy biief anu,
theiefoie, the people hau not yet become awaie of the usefulness of the Reu
Cioss; anu as nobouy coulu be founuapait fiom a few impoitant peoplewho
was able to offei financial suppoit, We gave assistance by expenuing foi the time
being up to 2uu,uuu uollais fiom 0ui tieasuiy foi the payment of salaiies, the
puichase of meuicines, anu all ielateu matteis, being conscious that some time
woulu elapse until We weie able to explain the mattei to the people. Bowevei,
since it was not only on one fiont that the Italians hau come to wage wai but in
the east, anu noith, anu south, it was iecognizeu that theie was a neeu foi many
uoctois anu a gieat ueal of meuical equipment. 0ui Ethiopian Reu Cioss Society
piesenteu, theiefoie, a iequest thiough the Reu Cioss Beauquaiteis at ueneva
that the vaiious Reu Cioss Societies in the woilu shoulu extenu all possible help.
When the Reu Cioss Societies in vaiious countiies heaiu about this, they
expiesseu to 0s theii willingness to help to the utmost extent possible.

Latei on, the Biitish, Sweuish, Butch, Noiwegian, anu Egyptian Reu Cioss
Societies uespatcheu to 0s uoctois, meuicines, meuical equipment anu anything
else that was neeueuincluuing entiie ambulances.

The Reu Cioss Societies of Fiance, ueimany, }apan, Tuikey, Ameiica, Russia,
uieece, Austialia, anu of othei smallei nations gave 0s consiueiable help by
senuing, accoiuing to the extent of theii ability, money, meuicines, anu meuical
equipment.

Fuitheimoie, Reu Cioss Beauquaiteis at ueneva, apait fiom senuing financial
suppoit, auuitionally uespatcheu two men, Nonsieui Biaun anu Bi. }unou, to set
about at once to impiove the woik of the Ethiopian Reu Cioss Society; anu thus
the activities of the Ethiopian Reu Cioss piogiessively expanueu anu became
moie successful.

Some foieigneis iesiuent at Auuis Ababa, in theii uistiess at seeing Italy waging
a wai of aggiession against us, left theii own woik anu engageu in Reu Cioss
woik; all these We thank piofounuly.

haptei S4 - 0ui notification of Italy's aggiession

WE hau maue constant effoits at the time in iequesting to select aibitiatois on
the basis of what is laiu uown in aiticle S of the tieaty we hau concluueu in 192u
(= 1928), in oiuei to make it possible to settle peacefully the quaiiel that hau
taken place at Walwal. But since Italy's uesiie tenueu towaius hostilities, We
heaiu that, in neglect of a peaceful solution, she was piling up wai mateiial in the
vicinity of oui boiueis. We theiefoie tiansmitteu to ueneva the following
message on 8th uenbot 1927 (= 16th Nay 19SS).

We, Empeioi of Ethiopia, iequest Youi Excellency to be kinu enough to cause the
following message to be ieau at the piesent assembly at which Ethiopia's iequest
is to be examineu.

While we, on oui pait, uiu not up to now oiuei the mobilization of soluieis oi
equipment noi offei any piovocation, Italy has been assembling, since befoie last
Septembei, tioops, militaiy aiiciaft, tanks, anu othei wai mateiial of all soits in
the vicinity of oui fiontieis. Anyone iesiuing in Ethiopia, the subjects of
whatevei nation, aie awaie that Italy has been uoing this. Evei since the time of
the attack against Walwal, Italy has begun to iequest that Ethiopia shoulu pay
hei compensation foi the wionguoing which she has not committeu, while Italy
was seeking, by eveiy known uiplomatic means, to evaue hei inteinational
obligations upon which she hau enteieu pieviously anu to pievent an impaitial
examination of all the quaiiels that hau occuiieu between the two of usit
being well known that she was seizing, in an illegal mannei, laige tiacts of oui
teiiitoiy.

Italy has iecently establisheu a piopaganua campaign to make it appeai that hei
occupation of a pait of Ethiopian teiiitoiy, hei attack upon Ethiopia, anu hei
uesiie to seize the people aie simply in oiuei to civilize them piopeily; anu this
is what ought to be uone to a pagan population, if Italy has any accusations to
piesent against Ethiopia oi against the goveinment, We aie piepaieu to give an
appiopiiate answei at the piopei time anu place. Italy has just now chosen foi
the aibitiation anu conciliation commission two of hei nationals who aie hei
own goveinment employees. Theii selection is apt to pievent an impaitial
examination of oui affaiis oi at least is bounu to ienuei such an investigation
veiy uifficult.

Apait fiom this, Italy's iestiiction of the matteis that aie to come befoie the
aibitiatois foi examination is liable to leave uniesolveu the question of the
inteipietation of the tieaty of 8th uenbot 19uu (= 16th Nay 19u8) which is of
majoi impoitance anu which ueseives to be ueteimineu by aibitiation. It has not
been possible, noi will it be in futuie, to set up by agieement a tiuly impaitial
aibitiation commission, i.e. in Italy's piesent state of minu anu by uiplomatic
means.

While Italy put the blame on Ethiopia alleging that we iefuseu to accept
aibitiation, We notifieu Italy of 0ui choice of two aibitiatois who weie not
Ethiopian subjects, thinking that We weie neglecting nothing to ensuie foi us an
equitable anu speeuy outcome, lest Italy shoulu finu a way that woulu peimit hei
to shiik the obligations she hau accepteu by inteinational tieaties. Although this
goveinment which is oui neighboui uiu not inteiiupt its wailike piepaiations
anu uiu not cease its incuisions into oui boiuei aieas, We took the most
meticulous caie lest theie shoulu be any fiontiei clashes anu even gave
peimission to set up a fiee oi neutial zone wholly within 0ui teiiitoiy. We
eainestly iequest the Council to cause the covenant of the League of Nations to
be fulfilleu anu to have Italy's militaiy piepaiations stoppeupiepaiations
which aie tiuly not foi uefensive puiposes. We iequest that, if Italy iefuses to
accept that the aibitiatois shoulu examine anu aujuuicate upon all the attacks
that have been maue in the vicinity of the Somali-Ethiopian boiuei since last
Becembei anu shoulu pionounce upon the inteipietation of the tieaty of 16th
Nay 19u8, the Council itself will take the investigation in hanu anu iesolve
matteis by a full examination on the basis of aiticle 1S of the covenant.

In submitting this appeal, Ethiopia only seeks a lawful, complete, speeuy, anu
peaceful outcome of the mattei.'

Latei on, on 11th Bamle (18th }uly 19SS), We communicateu this state of affaiis
to 0ui people in a speech which We ueliveieu to 0ui pailiament. The text is set
out heie below.

'Foi moie than foity yeais Italy has nevei at any time ceaseu to enteitain the
uesiie to take oui countiy. This uesiie, which hau always been appaient in
vaiious foims thioughout these yeais, began to be cleaily manifesteu in hei
actions uuiing last yeai's (i.e. 1926= 19S4) iainy season. To piove this, last yeai,
in the month of August, without any ieason whatevei the Italian uoveinment
began to pile up wai mateiials en masse in the vicinity of oui boiueis.

When We heaiu this, We instiucteu 0ui Chaige u'Affaiies at Rome to make
enquiiies as to the ieason foi this; in ieply they gave a ieason that was baseless
anu menuacious fiom beginning to enu, i.e. that they hau maue these wai
piepaiations because Ethiopia hau the intention of making wai against theii
colonies of Eiitiea anu Somalia. Although We exposeu this answei as completely
untiuthful, fiom that time onwaius Italy's unsweiving iesolve was embouieu in
a plan upon which she hau ueciueu aftei lengthy examination, anu she nevei
ceaseu pushing on piogiessively with hei militaiy piepaiationswhile
pietenuing they weie foi uefensive puiposes, although it was hei absolutely
settleu intention to wage aggiessive wai against us.

In oiuei to make such an aggiessive uesign appeai piopei in the eyes of the
peoples of the woilu, it was essential foi Italy to finu a useful pietext.

Last Novembei at uonuai theie aiose uistuibances about some woman between
Ethiopian subjects who weie, in pait, employees of Ethiopian factoiies anu
otheis who weie seivants of the Italian commeicial agency. When bloou was
spilt as a iesult of this quaiiel between these men in theii own affaii, the Italian
Legation at Auuis Ababa eneigetically inteiveneu in the mattei in a uiplomatic
uemaiche, anu 0ui peaceseeking goveinment uiiecteu that the Italian
uemanus shoulu be satisfieu, lest any vehement quaiiel shoulu uevelop. Latei on
again, theie occuiieu the Walwal inciuent which is the basis of oui piesent
conflict.

Italy, infiinging oui teiiitoiial integiity anu violatinginsteau of iespecting
sciupulouslyoui countiy's inuepenuence, has placeu tioops anu much
equipment at a place calleu Walwal which is some hunuieu kilometies beyonu
the boiuei which the tieaty concluueu between the two goveinments in 19u8
hau ueteimineu.

0n the occasion when the boiuei between Biitish Somalilanu anu ouiselves was
being uelineateu, some men hau been oiueieu by the Ethiopian anu Biitish
goveinments to ueteimine, by inspection on the spot, the places wheie the
Biitish Somalilanu tiibes weie putting theii heius to pastuieas hau been
peimitteu to them by tieaty.

When these uelegates, whom the two goveinments hau sent out foi this task,
weie caiiying out the woik they hau been oiueieu to uo within oui teiiitoiy,
they weie given a militaiy escoit because it was 0ui goveinment that hau to
piotect them. As you aie well awaie, on 26 Beuai 1927 (= Sth Becembei 19S4) a
suipiise attack was launcheu against these Ethiopian soluieis, anu 0ui biave
tioops weie hit by Italian machine guns, tanks, anu aiiciaft; theii ueath in battle
is auequate testimony of the violence which the Italian aggiessois have wiought
by piemeuitation.

Baving acteu in this mannei anu having attackeu 0ui soluieis within 0ui own
teiiitoiy, Italy intenueu to shift the iesponsibility foi the aggiession, which hei
own men hau committeu, against us anu to iepioach us. Not content with killing
0ui soluieis, Italy went so fai as to uemanu that 0ui goveinment shoulu
apologize to hei anu pay compensation.

Ethiopia's cleai conscience was awaie of the iights uue to hei anu We, theiefoie,
submitteu immeuiately 0ui iequest to Italy to settle the mattei on the basis of
the text of the tieaty, iefeiiing to the tieaty concluueu in 192u (= 1928), by
which Italy hau unueitaken that peace anu fiienuship shoulu foievei peisist
between us anu that, if a quaiiel aiose between us, this quaiiel shoulu have a
peaceful outcome on the authoiitative veiuict of aibitiatois. To this iequest,
which We hau piesenteu, the ieply was an absolute iefusal, anu Italy ievealeu
hei inflexible iesolve to have the uemanus which she hau submitteu fulfilleu in
theii entiietywithout investigation anu without aujuuication in the piopei
mannei.

We weie iesolveu that oui honoui was in no way to be impaiieu, anu We weie
convinceu that a goveinment that submits, entiiely voluntaiily, a conflict of this
kinu to a piopei inteinational tiibunal, which juuges matteis impaitially, woulu
exalt iathei than uebase itself, if it submitteu to juugement anu weie to comply
with the veiuict; We, theiefoie, maue it known publicly that, if Ethiopia weie
founu to be guilty in this mattei, she woulu at once caiiy out in full the teims of
the juugement pionounceu against hei.

Because it was 0ui uesiie that the mattei which aiose fiom Italy's unwillingness
to submit to aibitiation shoulu be settleu legally anu peacefully, it became
necessaiy, in puisuit of this peaceable avenue, to cause the mattei to come
befoie the Council of the League. We notifieu the King of Italy anu the leauei of
the Italian goveinment, Nonsieui Nussolini, in a uetaileu wiitten submission of
the giounus on which We hau biought this mattei befoie the League of Nations.

Last }anuaiy the mattei hau appeaieu on the agenua of the meeting of the League
of Nations Council, anu Italy accepteu, albeit ieluctantly, the plan to iesolve
things by aibitiation.

But, while We complieu with the text of the uecisions ieacheu by the League of
Nations Council on 11th Tei (= 19th }anuaiy 19SS), it was necessaiy foi 0s once
again to submit the mattei to the League Council in Naich, because the Italian
Ninistei went on uiagging his feet while enueavouiing to make us acknowleuge
wionguoing, which we hau not committeu, in the couise of the uiplomatic talks
that hau been staiteu in oiuei to choose the aibitiatois.

Inueeu, while Italy stiove by uiplomatic means to exeit impiopei piessuie upon
0ui goveinment, the news which came eveiy uay ovei the iauio maue cleai to 0s
hei intention to make wai, as We continually heaiu of Italy's uninteiiupteu
uespatch of soluieis, wai mateiial, anu ammunition to oui fiontieis at Eiitiea
anu Italian Somalilanu.

As a iesult of oui seconu submission to the League of Nations, it was ueciueu on
17th uenbot 1927 (= 2Sth Nay 19SS) that aibitiatois shoulu uefinitely be
chosen.

Because it was Ethiopia's uesiie that the juugement to be pionounceu shoulu be
impaitial anu on an absolutely legal basis, she on hei pait chose as aibitiatois
two men who weie legal expeits, one Fiench anu one Ameiican, who weie veiy
well known foi theii knowleuge anu iefinement in inteinational law.

Italy on hei pait selecteu two Italians fiom among Italy's goveinment officials.

Although theie was nothing foi us to oppose on these giounus, yet it seemeu to
0s piopei to biing to minu the Italian uoveinment's unwillingness, in choosing
hei own nationals, foi the uispute to be settleu legally anu impaitially. The
ieason is that no man shoulu be put unuei suspicion foi pionouncing impaitial
juugement upon the countiy which hau chosen him to aigue in hei favoui.

As it was causing anxiety that the uispute might not be settleu by aibitiation on
account of the fact that the gentlemen whom the Italian uoveinment hau
selecteu uiu not possess the inuepenuence to juuge as they saw fit, the Biitish
uoveinment, noting that inteinational law was the main founuation of woilu
peace, began to attempt on its pait to see whethei a way of conciliation coulu be
founu, because its piincipal uesiie was that peace be fiimly establisheu in the
woilu. Although it was not casting uoubt on the legal status of the 0gauen
piovince belonging to Ethiopia anu although Italy was launching a bau attack
upon 0ui patiimony by aggiessive incuision, the iuea of conciliation which the
Biitish uoveinment piesenteu was that we shoulu give to Italy, by cession, a pait
of oui 0gauen teiiitoiy anu, in exchange foi this, the Biitish woulu ceue to us the
poit of Zeila anu a pait of its teiiitoiy. Foi 0ui pait theie was no limit to 0ui
seeking peace anu, theiefoie, We weie piepaieu to examine this conciliation
pioposal which hau been submitteu. But even befoie this compiomise pioposal
hau been piopeily piesenteu, Nonsieui Nussolini hau alieauy absolutely iefuseu
to accept it, anu theie was, theiefoie, no neeu foi 0s to consiuei the mattei.

It was not now possible foi the aibitiatois to complete the task foi which they
hau been chosen. The piincipal leauei of the Italian uoveinment cuitly iejecteu
the conciliation iuea which the Biitish uoveinment hau submitteu.

The Italians uiu not inteiiupt theii piepaiations. The piincipal leaueis of the
Italian uoveinment weie ueclaiing openly that the main thought in theii heait
was to take ovei oui countiy. Bence, fiom then onwaius the houi of wai was
piogiessively coming closei. Last Sane 1st (8th }une 19SS), the piincipal leauei
of the Italian uoveinment stoou befoie Suuu soluieis who hau been oiueieu to
Eiitiea anu Somalia, now newly uesignateu "Afiica 0iientale", anu, while
pieaching to the Italian people accoiuing to his custom, he spoke to incite theii
spiiit of bellicosity anu saiu: "It is foi you who aie going out theie to wiite the
stoiy of supieme heioism in the annals of oui histoiy."

As Nonsieui Nussolini saiu, what Italy seeks is to civilize 0ui people.

Fiom now on Italy ceaseu to let the mattei be settleu peacefully. Bei iuea was to
take ievenge foi Auwa of olu, with a lot of bloou being spilt.

The Ethiopian people, whose name Italy seeks to extinguish calling it a heathen
people, is a nation that honouis the woiu it has given anu upholus the tieaty it
has signeu.

Ethiopia uoes not seek wai. But she is bounu to uefenu heiself against the
invauei. Even at the time of Auwa it was not Ethiopia who pickeu the quaiiel.
The ieason why the wai occuiieu was that the Italians weie founu beyonu theii
boiuei within hei teiiitoiy. Naybe they will uo so again tomoiiow.

Although Ethiopia was victoiious in 1888 (= 1896), waiuing off the invauei by
uou's goouness anu the heioism of hei biave soluieis, she uiu not uemanu
eveiything that was uue to hei; she uiu not make it an occasion foi the expansion
of hei teiiitoiy.

When the wai comes which appeais uaily moie inevitable, the Ethiopian
uoveinment's conscience will not iepioach it; it has uone eveiything possible to
pieseive peace.

Ethiopia has no intention of establishing hei authoiity ovei othei countiies; she
is piepaieu to uefenu hei inuepenuence up to the last, while being mistiess in
hei own uomain, anu hei civilization anu teiiitoiial integiity unuaunteu.

When the Italian people, which has tuineu oppiessoi, aiiives with the weapons
of aggiession which the mouein age has piouuceu anu claiming that it is to teach
us civilization, the Ethiopian people, which is piepaieu to uie foi its Empeioi anu
its countiy, will await the invauei musteieu in unity.

Soluieis! When it is announceu that a iespecteu anu beloveu leauei has uieu foi
oui fieeuom in the couise of the battle, uo not giieve, uo not lose hope! 0bseive
that anyone who uies foi his countiy is a foitunate man, but ueath takes what it
wants, inuisciiminately, in peace-time as well as in wai. It is bettei to uie with
fieeuom than without it.

0ui fatheis who have maintaineu oui countiy in fieeuom foi us have offeieu us
theii life in saciifice; so let them be an example to you!

Soluiei, tiauei, peasant, young anu olu, man anu woman, be uniteu! Befenu youi
countiy by helping each othei! Accoiuing to ancient custom, the women will
stanu in uefence of theii countiy by giving encouiagement to the soluiei anu by
caiing foi the wounueu. Although Italy is uoing eveiything possible to uisunite
us, whethei Chiistian oi Nuslim we will uniteuly iesist.

0ui sheltei anu oui shielu is uou. Nay oui attackeis' new weapons not ueflect
you fiom youi thoughts which aie ueuicateu to youi uefence of Ethiopia's
fieeuom.

Youi King who speaks to you touay will at that time be in youi miust, piepaieu
to sheu his bloou foi the libeity of Ethiopia.

Befoie We concluue, theie is one thing We wish to say to you once again. Anu
this is 0ui eainest stiiving foi peace. We woulu ieminu you of the Ethiopian
uoveinment's exeitions foi peace iight up to the piesent time. By uiplomatic
means it has continually sought a way of ieaching accoiu which is peaceful anu
in which theie is honoui foi both of us. It has twice askeu the League of Nations
to get the Italian uoveinment to honoui the tieaty of fiienuship anu of
aibitiation which Italy hau voluntaiily signeu.

Fuitheimoie, as Ethiopia anu Italy, togethei with othei goveinments, hau signeu
the tieaty to outlaw wai, We iecently infoimeu the Ameiican uoveinment,
because Ameiica was the oiiginatoi of the tieaty.

Again, while the aibitiatois of oui two siues weie now in Bollanu examining oui
uispute, the Italian aibitiatois weie causing much uifficulty anu We, theiefoie,
hau to oiuei 0ui ministei in Paiis to biing this to the attention of the League of
Nations foi the thiiu time.

We shall stiive foi peace till the enu. But even if oui exeitions anu oui goou-will
have not achieveu any iesult, at least oui conscience will not iepioach us. The
Ethiopian people, uniteu in faith, stietches out its hanu to uou that he may
stiengthen the powei of oui valiant men tiuly to uefenu oui countiy's
inuepenuence.

11th Bamle 1927 (= 18th }uly 19SS)

Latei on again, on 6th Pagumen 1927 (= 11th Septembei 19SS), We spoke to the
peoples of the woilu by letting them heai 0ui voice ovei the iauio. The speech
was as follows:

'At the time when, accoiuing to the Ethiopian eia, the yeai 1928 (= 19SS6)
begins, We wish that this new yeai may biing the peace which is essential anu
which 0ui people anu the woilu uesiie with a waim heait; anu it appeais to 0s
iight to iemaik upon anu to iecall the piincipal events which have occuiieu in
the uays of the past yeai.

The clash which took place between Italian soluieis who weie founu to have
enteieu Ethiopian teiiitoiy unlawfully, togethei with much equipment, on 26th
Beuai 1927 (= Sth Becembei 19S4) at Walwal, in 0ui 0gauen iegion, upon
Ethiopian soil, anu who aie still theie up to now, anu, on the othei siue, soluieis
who hau been oiueieu to escoit the peisonnel who weie unuei instiuctions to
uelimit the teiiitoiy of Ethiopia anu Italian Somalilanubecause this clash was a
seiious mattei accoiuing to the basic piovisions enshiineu in the covenant of the
League of Nations, it was piopei to settle it at once accoiuing to the text laiu
uown in the special tieaty which Ethiopia hau concluueu with Italy on 2uth
Nahase 192u (= 26th August 1928).

This Walwal clash, which 0ui goveinment hau uemanueu to be settleu by
aibitiation as the attack occuiieu, was iecently aujuuicateu on 28th Nahase (=
Siu Septembei 19SS). While Ethiopia was stiiving to biing matteis to this
outcome anu to settle the Walwal inciuent by peaceful anu legal means, Italy was
stiongly opposeu, anu it was theiefoie necessaiy to get the League of Nations
Council, assembleu in session, to institute an investigation on 11th Tei (= 19th
}anuaiy 19SS), 17th uenbot (2Sth Nay), anu finally on 28th Nahase (= Siu
Septembei). The five men, i.e. the two membeis of the Italian uoveinment
togethei with the othei thiee aibitiatois, who hau been appointeu to examine
the Walwal inciuent ieacheu the following unanimous veiuict: neithei Ethiopia
noi Italy can be helu iesponsible foi the attack which occuiieu at Walwal. As the
Walwal inciuent was thus closeu, Italy was maue to stop humiliating 0ui
goveinment, by uemanuing payment of compensation anu salute to hei flag; anu
to bianu Ethiopia as an aggiessoi befoie the woilu. As it was the Walwal clash
which Italy hau maue the pietext to wage wai upon Ethiopia, this pietext has
now been iemoveu by the veiuict. The Council of the League of Nations has uone
eveiything necessaiy anu possible foi the aibitiatois to uispose piopeily of the
mattei which hau aiisen between Ethiopia anu Italy. Neveitheless, the Italian
uoveinment was stiongly opposeu.

The piimaiy cause of the piesent conflict between Ethiopia anu Italy is that the
inteipietation of the tieaty of 8th uenbot 19uu (= 16th Nay 19u8), concluueu
between the two goveinments about the Somali teiiitoiy, has iemaineu
unsettleu. At the }anuaiy session of the League of Nations Council the Ethiopian
uoveinment iequesteu that the inteipietation of this fiontiei tieaty shoulu be
examineu, anu in paiticulai it askeu that the question be investigateu anu
ueciueu as to whethei Walwal was situateu within Ethiopian oi Italian teiiitoiy.
The Italian uoveinment, howevei, opposeu this foi feai that the aibitiatois
might finu against hei. When it was even claimeu that the map officially
publisheu by the Italian Ninistiy of the Colonies, showing Walwal to be within
Ethiopian teiiitoiy, was insufficient, this action on the pait of the Italian
uoveinment was peisuasive enough.

By 0ui uoveinment's fiim stanu to obtain an outcome thiough the authoiity of
the League of Nations, by the application of law anu by following the path of
peace, the clash which occuiieu at Walwal was aujuuicateu by aibitiation,
although Italy hau meant to wage wai against Ethiopia since August last yeai
iiiespective of the Walwal inciuent. She now went on iealizing the intention she
hau foimeu when, five months latei, she uiscoveieu a pietext in the Walwal clash
to make this wai. Since Nahase 192S (= August 19SS) Italy hau begun senuing
equipment to Eiitiea anu hei Somali colony, anu she continueu consoliuating hei
position by uespatching uninteiiupteuly soluieis, mateiial, vaiious wai
machines, anu ammunition. While the Council of the League of Nations anu the
aibitiatois weie woiking to settle peacefully the matteis that hau aiisen
between Ethiopia anu Italy, the lattei nevei inteiiupteu the uespatch of men anu
mateiial.

Since the Walwal inciuent has now been settleu anu Italy is somewhat shoit of
ieasons to make wai, she has been active in pieventing othei goveinments to
sell to Ethiopia the equipment she iequiies foi hei uefence; she is woiking to
make Ethiopia an object of hatieu anu to cause the peoples of the woilu to
believe that, since Ethiopians aie like wilu beasts, they neeu a civilizing agent.

Bistoiy will juuge Italy's behavioui. While Italy claims to be the veiy essence of
civilization, she is making unjust wai upon a people that is peaceful, which has
fiist been pieventeu fiom obtaining militaiy equipment, anu which lives tiusting
a tieaty which Italy publicly signeu on 2u Nahase 192u (= 26 August 1928), so
that peace anu fiienuship shoulu peisist. Italy, who is planning to incite a futuie
wai against the Ethiopian people, with hei soluieis being victoiious without
suffeiing too many casualties, is seeking to convince eveiyone that the useless
woik she is piepaiing to caiiy out against 0ui people is fully justifieu, while she
is stiiving to pievent Ethiopia fiom obtaining equipment anu thus to become
weak.

Bence, to the legally well-founueu eviuence which we submitteu, to the effect
that Italian soluieis hau unlawfully ciosseu the boiuei anu seizeu oui lanu, the
Rome uoveinment gave no ieply. It maue its iepiesentatives accieuiteu to 0s
give assuiances, many times anu in public, that Italy hau a coiuial anu
inextinguishable fiienuship foi Ethiopia, while foi a long time past it hau been
collecting infoimation which its employees, whom it scatteieu in some stiength
ovei oui teiiitoiy anu whom it paiu a laige salaiy, weie supplying to it. Now, at
the last moment, the Rome uoveinment piesenteu its submission to the League
of Nations Council.

As the memoianuum, with which the Italian uoveinment piesenteu its iuue anu
menuacious accusations to the League Council on 29th Nahase (= 4th Septembei
19SS) has not yet ieacheu 0s, it is only a veiy shoit time since We have become
awaie of these accusations anu, theiefoie, theie is no time now foi 0s to give a
uetaileu ieply. Bowevei, 0ui goveinment is piepaieu to pioviue eviuence anu to
ietuin an answei point by point to these accusations which have aiiiveu at the
veiy last momentas well as the ieason foi which they have been ievealeu to
the peoples of the woilu. It is sufficient to announce only that We aie
tiansmitting instiuctions to 0ui envoys, now at ueneva, cleaily uesigneu to
iequest the League Council to set up an inteinational commission to examine the
mattei.

It is this inteinational commission which We have askeu foi that will be able to
ueciue by examining the accusations which the Italian uoveinment has
submitteu anu by looking at both cases. The Ethiopian people emphatically seeks
peace. Noieovei, it loves its countiy ueaily. Although it uoes not possess
sufficient militaiy equipment anu although, thiough Italian political
machinations, it has been pieventeu fiom obtaining it, it will iesist by uefenuing
itself against the enemy, piotecting its chest in which theie is a piouu heait
buining with love of countiy.

0ui peasants, who live tilling theii lanu in peace, whose aim is stiong, anu who
aie jealous of theii fieeuom, will iise up with theii spaues anu lances to wielu
them quickly, oveituining theii ploughs to stop the enemy invauing theii lanu.
We uo not like wai. But in wai we shall not let oui enemy pass without
uefenuing ouiselves fieicely anu without stiong iesistance. As Ethiopia's faith
ieposes in uou, she knows that uou's juugement will pievail ovei that of man.
New weapons anu guns which man has ueviseu to uestioy his kinu aie not a
maik of civilization.

Thanks aie uue to all the statesmen who, in the tioubles which have come upon
touay's woilu anu uespite theii vast anu bounuless woik ovei many months
now, have been stiiving to stiengthen peace lest it be extinguisheu, while Italy,
thinking only of heiself, iose to uestioy peace.

The Impeiial Ethiopian uoveinment, the Ethiopian Chuich, anu the people aie
unceasingly biinging theii piayeis befoie uou, that Be shoulu be theii leauei anu
that Be shoulu giant a fiuitful iesult to the exeitions which all those in
goveinment aie making to pieseive peace.

Ethiopia is always conscientiously honouiing anu fulfilling any anu all the
inteinational obligations upon which she has contiactually enteieu, anu she is
seeking a way of conciliation, consonant with hei honoui anu uignity, so that the
conflict which has now aiisen between hei anu Italy may be peacefully iesolveu.
Bei conscience will not iebuke hei. As this act of aggiession which Italy, who is
calleu a gieat nation, is committing causes anxiety to all goveinments of the
woilu, gieat anu small, who aie putting theii minus to this in the conviction that
it is peace that will impiove living conuitions anu offei civilization to all
mankinu, Ethiopia uesiies anu hopes that, with the assistance of the League
Council, the quaiiel which has bioken out between Ethiopia anu Italy may be
iesolveu by law anu piopei juugement in consonance with the League of Nations
covenant.'

Chaptei SS - We pioclaim mobilization

IN all the civilizeu woilu, if one state seeks to wage wai against anothei, it
announces its intention of uoing so. Aftei such an announcement has been maue,
the uiplomatic iepiesentatives of the two siues ietuin to theii home countiies. If
theii citizens so uesiie, they may also leave.

But Italy continueu making announcements that she hau no intention of making
wai, while in fact she hau long meant to wage wai against Ethiopia, anu foi the
past thiee yeais hau ueciueu upon it anu hau begun piepaiations. Bowevei, at
some time, when the occasion aiises, ievelations aie bounu to occui, anu so
ueneial ue Bonoa has now spoken of it in the book which he has publisheu about
the wai. Anu since this has been confiimeu by Nonsieui Nussolini's signatuie, it
is not possible to claim that it is a lie.

When We heaiu of the uespatch by Italy of wai mateiials anu laige numbeis of
soluieis to hei colonies of Eiitiea anu Somali-lanu, up to the iealization of the
time-table she hau fixeu to stait the wai, We maue enquiiies thiough 0ui Chaige
u'affaiies at Rome; a ieply was then issueu which no-one can accept as tiue, i.e.
that it was as a safeguaiu against a suipiise attack the Empeioi might be
launching against theii colonies anu that theie was no othei ieason.

Since this was allegeuly the ieason, We maue it known by iauio to Italy anu the
whole woilu that we on oui pait weie not thinking of a scheme of this kinu.

Although We maue this announcement, Italy uiu not inteiiupt the uespatch of
militaiy equipment anu tioops. Theie weie no factoiies to piouuce wai
mateiials in oui countiy, in oiuei to make piepaiations on oui pait. We uiu not
have enough money to make puichases abioau. When We askeu foi loans, Italy's
iesolve to make wai being well known, We uiu not finu anyone who woulu lenu
to 0s. Fuitheimoie, since Ethiopia anu Italy hau signeu, with appioval, what is
laiu uown in the covenant of the League which the nations of the woilu hau set
up at ueneva, it seemeu to 0s that, if any kinu of uispute aiose between us, the
mattei was to be lookeu into by the League in accoiuance with the covenant with
a view to being settleu peacefully. 0vei anu above this, if a uispute that aiose
between the two goveinments coulu not be settleu by uiplomatic negotiations on
the basis of aiticles S anu 7 of the Tieaty of Fiienuship which the two
goveinments specifically concluueu on 21st Bamle 192uS (= 28th }uly 1928),
then the mattei was to be uisposeu of by aibitiatois, but in any event theie was
to be no wai between them foi at least 2u yeais. Italy hau claimeu to be one of
the gieat civilizeu nations, anu it, theiefoie, seemeu to 0s that she woulu not
violate the covenant of the League. Noieovei, by viitue of the fact that We uiu
not suspect that Italy woulu stait a wai without notifying hei uecision to engage
in hostilities, as the heathen of oluen times useu to uo, We hau not pioclaimeu
mobilization fiom the moment of the Walwal attack, on 26 Beuai (= S Becembei
19S4), until 22 Naskaiam (=S 0ctobei 19SS) when she began the wai with hei
attack on Auwa.

But the Italians weie well awaie of the uisposition of 0ui tioops, in iemote
places anu in the fiinge aieas of the countiy. As We enteitaineu some suspicion
that they might await the iainy season, when no-one woulu be able to maich on
the ioaus, anu then launch an attack, We uiiecteu that a ceitain numbei of
ieseive tioops fiom each unit shoulu come to Auuis Ababa.

Because theii homes weie veiy fai in the West anu South of Ethiopia, the iainy
season hau staiteu by the time they weie ieauy foi theii jouiney. As iain anu
muu maue things uifficult foi them, they began to aiiive at Auuis Ababa only by
the miuule of Naskaiam (late Septembei), although they hau set out in the
month of Bamle (}uly).

But while the Italians weie offeiing ueceptive woius to the League of Nations
anu pietenuing, on one hanu, to seek conciliation, they uespatcheu, on the othei
hanu, wai mateiials anu tioops. Aftei they hau completeu all theii piepaiations,
they ciosseu the boiuei by aeioplane, on 21st Naskaiam 1928 (= 2nu 0ctobei
19SS), without infoiming eithei us oi the League of Nations of theii uecision to
begin the wai; they flew to Auwa anu uioppeu bombs on the city, slaying olu
men anu chiluien, women anu piiests; they also set fiie to the piincipal
builuings.

Peihaps thinking of it as a piecaution, We hau given oiueis foi a Reu Cioss
Society station to be set up at Auwa; anu this, too, they set on fiie.

In the civilizeu woilu of the piesent time, when one state intenus to wage wai
against anothei it will not uo so without notification. But Italy, without iegaiu to
hei honoui anu goou name, apait fiom some ephemeial auvantage to hei, began
the wai without any ueclaiation whatevei; it cannot be uoubteu that this will
biing shame to hei histoiy.

Apait fiom this, the Italian Ninistei at Auuis Ababa, Count vinci, causeu 0s gieat
uifficulties. If it weie a goveinment like the states of the civilizeu woilu, it woulu
have been iight foi Italy to instiuct hei Ninistei to notify hei uecision to go to
wai anu then to iecall the Ninistei. We woulu then have infoimeu all 0ui
subjects, via 0ui Chaige u'affaiies in Italy anu 0ui Consul at Asmaia, that they
shoulu leave Italian teiiitoiy. Bau Italy iecalleu hei Ninistei without ueclaiing
wai, it woulu unuoubteuly have been in oiuei to stop us piepaiing ouiselves anu
pioclaiming mobilization, yet we woulu have iecognizeu that it was foi the
puipose of wai. 0i again, if we uiu not expel hei Ninistei by foice anu he hau
been involveu in some majoi inciuent, it woulu have been Italy's intention to
have us conuemneu in the eyes of the woilu, claiming that Ethiopia hau acteu
with violence of this kinu against the Italian Ninistei.

While we hau begun to follow the path of inteinational civilization, We weie
convinceu that it woulu not be piopei to engage in lawlessness anu to ietiogiess
like Italy; We theiefoie notifieu the Ninistei anu consuls, theii agents anu all
theii othei subjects, to ietuin to theii countiy by the neaiest possible ioute
when no haim of any soit woulu befall them. Bence it was aiiangeu that they
shoulu leave by the ioute neaiest to them: those in the east by way of }ibuti,
those in the south via Nogauishu anu Kenya, those in the west thiough the
Suuan, anu those in the noith by way of Asmaia.

Even if we hau uetaineu as piisoneis till the enu of the wai the subjects of a state
which hau unleasheu the violence of wai, without a ueclaiation, anu infiingeu
the covenant of the League of Nations, we woulu not have been ieckoneu
wionguoeis. But as We intenueu to seek peace, We weie unwilling to uo this.
Bowevei, although We puisueu the path of peace, the (Italian) Ninistei, without
taking this into account at all, iefuseu to uepait until the consuls, agents, anu
Italian citizens who weie iesiuent in the vaiious piovinces hau all left. Thus, to
make things ieally uifficult, he summoneu the Nagalo agent to Auuis Ababa
insteau of going by way of Nogauishu which was not fai fiom him.

Woise than all this, the Italian Ninistei abanuoneu his eistwhile habit of going
about Auuis Ababa by cai anu now went on hoiseback insteauhaving a
seivant, also on hoiseback, follow him holuing the (Italian) flag anu caiiying a
ievolvei in his belt. Be even staiteu to go on oiuinaiy ioaus on which no
ministeis of foieign countiies, noi even the impoitant people of oui own, woulu
ventuie. The soluieis who hau been oiueieu to come foi piotective uuties hau
just begun to aiiive at Auuis Ababa, anu when they saw this Ninistei of an
enemy powei going about the capital in such a piocession, We heaiu that theii
bloou was boiling anu they began to look upon this with hostile eyes. We weie
conceineu, theiefoie, that, if by any chance he got involveu in an inciuent,
eveiything We hau hitheito patiently enuuieu foi the sake of peace woulu be in
vain. We infoimeu him, thiough an inteimeuiaiy, that he was to stay quietly in
one pieueteimineu place until the agents who hau been summoneu aiiiveu, anu
accoiuingly it was aiiangeu that he shoulu iemain at a ceitain place. But what
We hau uone foi the sake of peace anu secuiity they inteipieteu in an
unfavouiable sense anu spieau the iumoui that we hau uetaineu theii Ninistei
in piison.

Latei on We ieceiveu ieliable infoimation that the Italians hau ciosseu the
fiontieis in the noith anu in the south anu hau uioppeu bombs on seveial of oui
cities, killing people anu buining houses. As We felt that it was iight foi us to
uefenu oui countiy's inuepenuence as fai as possible, although we uiu not even
possess auequate mouein equipment foi uefensive puiposes, We uiiecteu the
following pioclamation of mobilization to be issueu on 22nu Naskaiam 1928 (=
Siu 0ctobei 19SS):

'The Lion of }uuah has pievaileu.

Baile Selassie I,

Elect of uou,

King of Kings of Ethiopia.

People of my countiy Ethiopia! You know Ethiopia's ancient tiauition since the
uays of Nenelik I anu that she is well known anu honouieu foi hei inuepenuence.

Foity yeais ago touay, Italy, boasting of hei ability anu stiength, hau wanteu to
acquiie oui people as slaves aftei uestioying Ethiopia's inuepenuence. When she
came into oui countiy to fight us, oui uou who uoes not like violence helpeu us,
anu when Be gave us victoiy we uiu not seek to iecovei oui lanu that hau gone.
As Italy violateu the boiueis in the Bamasien anu Somali iegions anu took away
oui patiimony, youi eye can see anu youi eai can heai the yoke of seifuom
which oui biotheis, who live in the aieas she has usuipeu, have hau to beai.

While We aie sau at the violence wiought against them anu while We uo not
seek to iecovei 0ui lost lanus, Italy is now thinking of imposing the yoke of
bonuage upon the people who live in the whole of 0ui countiy. Baving biought
wai, suiieptitiously, to the 0gauen iegion, she is killing 0ui people who uo not
seek conflict anu she is violating the tieaty which we hau concluueu. We foi oui
pait hau enteieu a League of Nations that was establisheu foi the sake of woilu
peace anu, theiefoie, We infoimeu the League with the intention that the
offenuei be iuentifieu once the Walwal conflict hau been lookeu into by the
aibitiatois accoiuing to the law.

Even befoie the mattei coulu be examineu anu aujuuicateu by the aibitiatois,
Italy hau biought the wai close to the fiontieis of the Tigie anu 0gauen; We,
theiefoie, hau to notify the League of Nations once moie, anu it issueu a veiuict
in oui favoui, ueciuing that the mattei was to be lookeu into by the aibitiatois.
When the lattei hau investigateu the mattei, they founu in oui favoui,
ueteimining that the Ethiopian uoveinment hau uone no wiong anu caiiieu no
iesponsibility foi the attack which hau taken place at Walwal. As all this was
going on, Italy uiu not foi the time being abanuon the continuation of wailike
activities in the uiiection of oui boiueis. While Italy was ieckoning to coiiupt
with blanuishments eveiy intention of 0uis to have the mattei peacefully settleu
by aibitial veiuict, she coveteu 0ui veneiable countiymeaning to uepiive hei
of hei libeity anu to uestioy itwhich was well known foi hei antiquity anu
which has liveu in fieeuom foi moie than Suuu yeais. I woulu be veiy uistiesseu
if we weie to be thought of as being uefeateu; theiefoie, people of my countiy
Ethiopia, help me, you who have stiength with youi stiength, you who lack
stiength with youi sympathy! The ieason foi which you aie to help with stiength
anu with sympathy is that you know it to be foi the sake of youi ieligion anu
youi fieeuom, foi youi Empeioi who, in mutual thought anu assistance, is like a
fathei anu like a son, anu foi the sake of youi flag which piouuly manifests
inuepenuence.

A nation without fieeuom is tantamount to a people uiiven fiom its lanu being
pusheu like cattle by the hanu of the enemy, one that lives in bittei affliction anu
in humiliation as a tenant watching its inheiitance in its own countiy in the
hanus of othei men, which has no contiol ovei its possessions anu its livelihoou,
not even ovei the soil of its giave, anu which exists by inheiiting seifuom that
passes on to the next geneiation. With othei people at least, when a king oi a
bishop uiesbeing humanhis uescenuant is substituteu foi him. But when a
countiy's inuepenuence is extinguisheu theie is no ieplacement; while seifuom
passes on fiom one geneiation to the next, it is an eteinal piisonei living with a
name that uoes not uie; anu howevei piouu Italy may be of hei equipment, she
too is known to shaie in ueath.

(1) If you withholu fiom youi countiy Ethiopia the ueath fiom cough oi heau-
colu of which you woulu otheiwise uie, iefusing to iesist (in youi uistiict, in youi
patiimony, anu in youi home) oui enemy who is coming fiom a uistant countiy
to attack us, anu if you peisist in not sheuuing youi bloou, you will be iebukeu
foi it by youi Cieatoi anu will be cuiseu by youi offspiing. Bence, without
cooling youi heait of accustomeu valoui, theie emeiges youi uecision to fight
fieicely, minuful of youi histoiy that will last fai into the futuie.

(2) Let youi levy of tioops, without men being sepaiateu fiom theii leauei
anu seivants fiom theii mastei, be mobilizeu on 12th Teqemt (= 2S iu 0ctobei)
at Nika'el neai Bessie. If on youi maich you touch any piopeity insiue houses oi
cattle anu ciops outsiue, not even giass, stiaw, anu uung excluueu, it is like
killing youi biothei who is uying with you; you will then be punisheu by paying
twice ovei foi his piopeity.

(S) You, countiyman, living at the vaiious access ioutes, set up a maiket foi
the aimy at the places wheie it is camping anu on the uay youi uistiict-goveinoi
will inuicate to you, lest the soluieis campaigning foi Ethiopia's libeity shoulu
expeiience uifficulty. You will not be chaigeu excise uuty, until the enu of the
campaign, foi anything you aie maiketing at the militaiy camps: I have gianteu
you iemission.

(4) You, countiy-squiie, take youi sons who have ieacheu militaiy age anu
set out with youi uistiict-goveinoi, while the ueputy uistiict-goveinoi gives you
a stanu-in who will be iesponsible foi the piotection of youi lanu. But you who
aie unable to go on a militaiy expeuition, owing to olu age, guaiu youi uistiict;
let youi sons set out with the uistiict-goveinoi!

(S) Sons of chiefs anu soluieis, if you have ieacheu militaiy age anu have not
hitheito joineu a militaiy unit anu have not enteieu the seivice of a mastei anu
iemain without taking any woik in the countiy, yet if you possess a iifle I will
assign to you ammunition anu youi piovisions; if you uo not possess a iifle I
shall let you have a iifle, ammunition anu youi piovisions; anu then join youi
uistiict-goveinoi foi the militaiy campaign.

(6) All you soluieis who have come back anu stay in youi iespective uistiicts,
having left youi aimy unit aftei enlisting in it eailiei on, iejoin youi officei anu
youi iegiment anu go on the militaiy campaign. You seivants of noblemen anu of
soluieis who live in the countiy, if you stay theie because you have quaiielleu,
make youi peace anu join youi mastei in the wai. But if you claim that you have
been giavely wiongeu anu theiefoie cannot be ieconcileu with youi mastei, may
you then come quickly to Auuis Ababa, consigning to youi mastei, befoie a "Wai
Ninistiy juuge, the equipment anu any piopeity you hau ieceiveu in the
iegiment; anu then get an officei anu a iifle fiom the Wai Ninistiy, in oiuei to
get back to the militaiy opeiations.

(7) You, who aie peasants anu tiaueis, aie to obey the oiueis which the
ueputy in chaige of the uistiict gives you anu to assist him in any uifficulties he
may encountei, having enumeiateu befoie youi uistiict-goveinoi's village chief
anu noteu uown in a iegistei any metal oi iifles you possess.

(8) If you aie a tiauei, a peasant, oi a piiest in youi own paiticulai uistiict, I
shall pay you the cost of tianspoitation; so biing things to me at the place of
mobilization, loauing up even what is usually set asiue foi giain tithe.

(9) Aftei you have been oiueieu to go to wai, but aie then iuly missing fiom
the campaign, anu when you aie seizeu by the local chief oi by an accusei, you
will have punishment inflicteu upon youi inheiiteu lanu, youi piopeity, anu youi
bouy; to the accusei I shall giant a thiiu of youi piopeity.

(1u) If pieviously you have muiueieu someone anu feai the avengei, oi if you
aie a biiganu anu have set a house on fiie, oi have iobbeu a man of his money
anu have fleu anu now live in the foiest oi the mountain piecipices, I giant you a
paiuon; so enlist with youi supeiioi officei by Sth Teqemt (= 16th 0ctobei).
When you enlist with youi officei anu as you aie insciibeu in the uistiict
goveinoi's iegistei, I shall entiust you to a meuiatoi Ligaba, anu with him oi
with youi officei you aie to go to wai. But if you fail to suiienuei on the uay
fixeu foi you, you will be hangeu in the uistiict wheie you have been
appiehenueu. You who aie the family of the ueceaseu, I shall pay you the bloou-
money; hence excuse youi avengei foi my sake.

(11) If, aftei the campaign pioclamation has been issueu, you aie founu
committing acts of biiganuage oi supplying to the enemy piovisions oi anything
at all, you will be uepiiveu of youi patiimony anu piopeity. You will be punisheu
meicilessly anu have the ueath penalty inflicteu on you.

We aiiangeu the oiuei of battle as is uesciibeu heie below: In the noith, Ras
Kassa was to be Commanuei-in-Chief in uefence against the enemy coming by
way of the Tigie. 0nuei him weie Ras Seyum Nangasha, commanuei of the
entiie Tigiean aimy, Ras Nullugeta Yegazu, Ras Kabbaua Nangasha, Ras Emiu
Bayla Sellasse, Ras uetatchaw Abata, Bajatch Ayalew Beiiu, Bajatch Nashasha
Walue, Bajatch Bayyana Wanuemagag-nahu, Bajatch Nangasha Yelma,
Bitwauuau Nakonnen Bamsaw, Bajatch Aumasu Beiiu, Bajatch Abaia Taula,
Bajatch Awiaiis Bullu, Bajatch Walua-Naiyam Bauuaua, Bajatch Balaynah
Babalqaw," the Ciown Piince's aimy commanuei Bajatch Wauaje Webe, Bajatch
Ambatchaw uassasa, the aimy commanuei of Wag, Bajatch Baylu Kabbaua,
Bajatch Wanu Bawassan Kassa, Bajatch Abaia Kassa, Bajatch Baylu Tasfaye,
Tsahafe Te'ezaz Afa Waiq Walua'Naiyam, Bajeionu Latyebalu uabie,
Qagnazmatch Bahne Walua Naiyam.

Ras Kassa hau, befoie the iainy season, gone to his goveinoiate of Bagemeuei
anu hau spent the iainy season theie; We theiefoie tiansmitteu to him oiueis to
set out at once anu go to join Ras Seyum. We uiiecteu that 0ui Wai Ninistei, Ras
Nullugeta, shoulu pioceeu in auvance fiom Shoa, togethei with the aimy
commanueis enumeiateu heie above.

0n 8th Teqemt (= 19th 0ctobei I9SS), when he took leave of 0s by paiauing the
aimy in fiont of 0s, We gave him (since he hau to pioceeu with the tioops) anu
the aimy musteieu befoie 0s the following piecise oiueis:

'It gives 0s pleasuie watching youi uepaituie, ueteimineu to sheu youi bloou foi
youi countiy's inuepenuence anu foi 0s, youi Empeioi, anu his honoui.

Because it is to the seivant he tiusts that a mastei commits his piopeity, so have
We instiucteu you to iesist the enemyplacing youi faith in uou, while you take
caie of 0ui aimy anu help eveiyone in whatevei theii uifficulties may be.

The enemy who has now come upon us is not a new oi un-expecteu enemy but
he is oui moital foe of olu. Eveiything he has now achieveu by viitue of 0ui
iefusal to senu 0ui aimy pieventively to the fiont-tiusting as We uiu the peace-
seeking effoits of the League of Nationshas been thiough ciuelty, not even
killing excluueu, anu he cannot be suspecteu of tenueiness to soluieis, to the olu
anu to women anu chiluien. We have alieauy heaiu about the eaily stages of his
meicilessness to women anu chiluien.

As ueath can in any event not fail to occui, it woulu be wiong to foiget that it is of
gieat auvantage having it saiu that someone uieu sheuuing his bloou foi his
countiy's libeity, his King's honoui, anu foi the goou name of his geneiation
iathei than that he uieu of a cough, a heau-colu oi of typhoiu. If someone uies in
wai he is saiu to be extiaoiuinaiy, but to be stunneu at someone's ueath is to
uebase the uignity of valoui.

It cannot be uoubteu that to a soluiei, a peasant, oi a tiauei his countiy's
inuepenuence is his gieatest piiue. It is, theiefoie, impoitant to convince you to
the utmost extent possible that quaiiels anu ueceitfulness amongst you shoulu
uisappeai, that love anu unity shoulu spieau, anu that a seivant shoulu
acknowleuge obeuience to his mastei anu a soluiei to his officei. If the Italians
aie piouu of theii weapons against us, we on oui pait aie piouu that oui
gieatest weapon against them is the help of uou. 0ui flag, ieu, yellow, anu gieen,
anu oui seal with the legenu "the lion has pievaileu" aie the symbol of oui
inuepenuence; lest this symbol of oui fieeuom shoulu peiish, it is a gieat honoui
foi oui goou name anu foi oui histoiy if we uie sheuuing oui bloou to the veiy
last uiop.

The ieason why We have tolu you this is that it woulu suit the enemy if you weie
to entei the wai simply in oiuei to uie, without taking piecautions anu like a
butteifly in the flame, iathei than save Ethiopia fiom the hanu of the enemy as
you aie fighting a wai accoiuing to contempoiaiy fashion.

What exactly you shoulu uo is set out as follows:

(1) When you set up tents, it is to be in caves anu by tiees anu in a woou, if the
place happens to be aujoining to theseanu sepaiateu in the vaiious platoons.
Tents aie to be set up at a uistance of Su cubits fiom each othei.

(2) When an aeioplane is sighteu, one shoulu leave laige open ioaus anu
wiue meauows anu maich in valleys anu tienches anu by zigzag ioutes, along
places which have tiees anu woous.

(S) When an aeioplane comes to uiop bombs, it will not suit it to uo so unless
it comes uown to about 1uu meties; hence when it flies low foi such action, one
shoulu fiie a volley with a goou anu veiy long gun anu then quickly uispeise.
When thiee oi foui bullets have hit it, the aeioplane is bounu to fall uown. But let
only those fiie who have been oiueieu to shoot with a weapon that has been
selecteu foi such fiiing, foi if eveiyone shoots who possesses a gun, theie is no
auvantage in this except to waste bullets anu to uisclose the men's wheieabouts.

(4) Lest the aeioplane, when iising again, shoulu uetect the wheieabouts of
those who aie uispeiseu, it is well to iemain cautiously scatteieu as long as it is
still faiily close. In time of wai it suits the enemy to aim his guns at auoineu
shielus, oinaments, silvei anu golu cloaks, silk shiits anu all similai things.
Whethei one possesses a jacket oi not, it is best to weai a naiiow-sleeveu shiit
with faueu colouis. When we ietuin, with uou's help, you can weai youi golu
anu silvei uecoiations then. Now it is time to go anu fight. We offei you all these
woius of auvice in the hope that no gieat haim shoulu befall you thiough lack of
caution. At the same time, We aie glau to assuie you that in time of wai We aie
ieauy to sheu 0ui bloou in youi miust foi the sake of Ethiopia's fieeuomas
inueeu We have explaineu to you in the speech We ueliveieu on 11th Bamle (=
18th }uly 19SS).

Chaptei S6 - 0ui oiganization of the southein aimy

WE oiganizeu 0ui southein aimy in thiee paits, iight, left, anu centie wings.

We maue Bejazmatch Nasibu, the iepiesentative of the Buke of Baiai,
Commanuei-in-Chief of the iight wing of the southein aimy. We attacheu to him
as aiues Bejazmatch Babta Nika'el anu Bejazmatch Amue, Bejazmatch Ababa
Batntaw anu Bejazmatch Nakonnen Enualkatchaw. Theie was also a Tuikish
national, calleu ueneial Wehib Pasha; since he knew about Italy's wai of
aggiession against Ethiopia, he hau come to help of his own fiee will anu without
any iequest on oui pait; We gave him to Bejazmatch Nasibu as auvisei in any
militaiy matteis. With iegaiu to meuical woik, Bi. Bockman who hau been
woiking in the Ameiican mission hospital, establisheu at Auuis Ababa in the
name of Tafaii Nakonnen, hau given notice, thiough the Ethiopian Reu Cioss
Society, of his wish to go uown to Bagahbui to tenu to the wounueu; foi the time
being he went on his own. But latei on a Reu Cioss Society hau been set up at
Caiio, Egypt's capital, foi the assistance of the Ethiopian people; anu Piince
Ismail Bawu, a membei of the ioyal house, hau been sent by the Society togethei
with upwaius of twenty uoctois anu auxiliaiies; he hau aiiiveu with a complete
ambulance, anu it was aiiangeu that he shoulu assist the iight wing of the
southein aimy with meuical woik.

We appointeu Ras Basta Commanuei-in-Chief of the left wing of the southein
aimy. As suppoit foi him We nominateu Bejazmatch uabia Naiyam anu
Bejazmatch Nakonnen Wassane, Bejazmatch Babbay Walua Ammanel, anu
Fitaw-iaii Tauuasa uanname. Foi the meuical woik Bi. Bockman hau been sent
uown by the Suuan Nission, but when he went to inspect the conuition of a bomb
anu uismantleu the sciews, it exploueu again anu hit him. In consequence he
uieu immeuiately anu We hau him biought by aeioplane to Auuis Ababa wheie
he was buiieu.

The valiant uiazmatch Afawaiq, the aimy officei whom We hau stationeu at
uoiiahei, hau piepaieu tienches anu hau uone well uigging the giounu to make
it suitable as a fiiing position anu foi uefence against bombs fiom aeioplanes.
Bence, when Italian soluieis came theie on two occasions, he sent them back
uefeateu both times. Anu aftei the Italians hau become convinceu that they weie
unable to engage in an infantiy battle, having closeu in face to face with
uiazmatch Afawaiq at uoiiahei, they began unleashing a iain of bombs on the
place, ietuining iepeateuly by plane. 0n one occasion they uioppeu thiee
hunuieu bombs theie. But they uiu not cause much uamageapait fiom killing
five men anu wounuing fifteen who hau not obseiveu the instiuctions to be
cautious.

0n Teqemt 2Siu (= Novembei Siu) 2u aeioplanes ietuineu anu uioppeu bombs,
anu while the biave uiazmatch Afawaiq was fiiing with the 0eilikon anu taking
aim to biing uown a plane, a bomb splintei that hau fallen by his siue hit his leg
anu wounueu him. As his biaveiy, aftei being wounueu, inspiieu him fuithei, he
enuuieu the pain of the wounu anu caiiieu on his woik.

But aftei he hau waiteu a little, he became awaie that his stiength was flagging
anu that he was unable to fiie; he theiefoie iequesteu to be caiiieu off anu they
took him to a place wheie he coulu iest. It was only at Bagahbui, at a uistance of
some 22u kilometies, that the neaiest uoctoi was; anu he was conceineu that his
soluieis might uispeise, if he weie to go theie. As he lay theie, he notifieu the
Commanuei-in-Chief, Bejazmatch Nasibu, by iauio-telegiam as follows: I am
seveiely wounueu anu may peihaps uie; theiefoie, please senu an aimy officei
quickly to uoiiahei to ieplace me.

Bejazmatch Nasibu uespatcheu Fitawiaii uwangul Kolase as commanuei to
uoiiahei. As they took uiazmatch Afawaiq Walua Sama'et to Bagahbui foi
meuical tieatment, he uieu on the jouiney anu they buiieu him with honoui in
the chuich of St. ueoige at Bagahbui.

At this time, a physician of the (Suuan) Inteiioi Nission hau offeieu his help as a
volunteei anu went to Siuamo. But latei on the Sweuish Reu Cioss Society hau
appointeu Bi. Bylanuei anu sent uoctois anu auxiliaiies togethei with a fully
equippeu ambulance; it was aiiangeu that they shoulu go to the left wing of the
southein aimy.

To the centie wing of the southein aimy We appointeu Bejazmatch Bayyana
Naieu as Commanuei-in-Chief anu attacheu to him in suppoit Bajeionu Feqia
Sellasse Katama, Fitawiaii Atnaf Sagau Walua uiyoigis, Qagnazmatch Assefaw
Walua uiyoigis as well as Qagnazmatch Salaba anu Qagnazmatch Anuom who
hau joineu us, having ueseiteu the Italians, because they iefuseu to fight oui
countiy togethei with the enemy. Foi meuical woik, howevei, no uoctoi coulu be
founu foi the time being, so those Ethiopians went who hau some knowleuge of
banuaging wounus only. Latei on it was aiiangeu that some of the Sweuish
uoctois who hau gone to Ras Basta shoulu be uetacheu anu pioceeu to
Bejazmatch Bayyana Naieu.

Apait fiom this, befoie the beginning of the wai, veiy few soluieis helu all the
small towns which weie in the uistiicts of the iight southein fiont, such as
Bagahbui, Bullale, Sasabane, Bagahamauo, Buiqot, uoiiahei, Baiauiget,
uabieuaiie, Fafan, Cheqo, Webi Shebeli, Buiuaue, Tafaii Katama as well as
similai places on the left southein anu cential southein fionts. We gave oiueis to
all the aimy officeis who weie on guaiu uuty to stay in the positions to which
they hau been assigneu; if the Italians attackeu them they weie to iesist as fai as
possible, but if the aggiession against them became too fieice they weie to fall
back.

But the Italians began to fly ovei in theii planes anu to unleash a iain of bombs
upon all the little towns enumeiateu heie above. But as the soil of the 0gauen
piovince is uusty anu sanuy, most of the bombs weie founu buiieu in the sanu
unexploueu. Thus on one occasion a bomb that hau fallen neai Bagahbui was
founu unexploueu.

The Italians again biought along aeioplanes in waves of 2u each time, on 24th
anu 2Sth Teqemt (= 4th anu Sth Novembei 19SS), anu totally obliteiateu
uoiiahei with the bombs they uioppeu.

They killeu the Somalis anu theii animals, who hau come to the uoiiahei iegion
to watei theii heius, anu then enteieu uoiiahei.

Fitawiaii uwangul Kolase who was uiazmatch Afawaiq's ieplacement hau not
heaiu of the Italians' entiy into uoiiahei; he thus maicheu on with some Suu
soluieis anu ieacheu a place calleu Banaley, to the east of Sasa'bane. When he
heaiu gunfiie, he oiueieu his men to scattei quickly anu wiuely amiust the
bushes, cievices, anu giass.

Baving waiteu a little, they saw Italian soluieis aiiiving in loiiies, followeu by
quite a numbei of tanks. They lay silently until the Italians hau gone foiwaiu.
Latei on, howevei, those in the tanks alighteu fiom theii vehicles to look at an
engine that hau bioken uownanu the men in the loiiies got out as well.
uwangul's soluieis weie watching iight anu left, foiwaiu anu ieai, anu when he
gave them a sign they fiieu a volley anu wipeu out the lot. In this astonishing
battle only a few of uwangul's soluieis weie killeu. But uwangul himself was
injuieu, anu as his men iemaineu theie, being unable to push foiwaiu, he
infoimeu Bejazmatch Nasibu of his victoiy.

When Bejazmatch Nasibu heaiu of theii biave action, he sent two loiiies anu
aiiangeu foi the wounueu to be taken to Bagahbui foi meuical attention.

In this victoiy theie weie captuieu, in auuition to some uamageu machine guns,
foui most excellent machine-guns as well as many iifles anu bullets, anu they
weie taken to Bagahbui.

Aftei We hau heaiu about the ueath of uiazmatch Afawaiq anu the occupation
by the Italians of uoiiahei, news also ieacheu 0s that the Italians on the noithein
fiont weie pushing on fiom Auwa towaius Naqalle anu that the goveinoi of
Naqalle, Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse uugsa, hau betiayeu his mothei-countiy
Ethiopia anu 0s, his Empeioi, anu hau gone ovei to the Italians. In consequence,
We maue Bessie 0ui heauquaiteis. Since We intenueu to wait while finuing out
about the position of the aimies on the noithein anu southein fiont, befoie
pioceeuing to Bessie We went uown by plane to }ijjiga on 9th Beuai (= 19th
Novembei 19SS).

The next uay We confeiieu the iank of Bejazmatch upon uiazmatch Afawaiq
who hau given his life with such valoui foi his countiy's inuepenuence anu foi
the honoui of his Empeioi. This was intenueu to be a memoiial foi futuie
geneiations anu foi histoiy. Subsequently We bestoweu the iank of officei upon
seveial men. 0n the thiiu uay We assembleu the aimy officeis in full anu gave
them woius of auvice as to how to guaiu against bombs fiom aeioplanes anu
othei uangeis. We then aiiangeu foi the following wiitten auvice to be
uistiibuteu:

'Since the Italian uoveinment has foi foity yeais now set out to uestioy
Ethiopia's fieeuom by aggiession, you heioes who aie alive now anu who weie
piesent at that time anu those of you who weie not at Auwa but whose fatheis
hau been theie, they have shown theii heioism by sheuuing theii bloou anu they
have saveu theii countiy's fieeuom anu theii patiimony fiom the hanus of the
enemy. Now the Italian uoveinment is pieaching to its people to avenge that
battle which it lost foity yeais ago, claiming that in Ethiopia the aimy was a
spent foice anu that, theiefoie, they woulu fight us without uifficulty. The Italian
uoveinment has begun the wai to make you who uiu not uie shaie the fate of
those who uiu, to uestioy youi fieeuom by abasing the well known biaveiy of
Ethiopia's sons which is iecoiueu in woilu histoiy, to invaue youi patiimony anu
youi houses, to acquiie as slaves youi olu paients, to make exiles of youi sons,
anu to ieckon Ethiopia's heioes as if they uiu not exist, anu to attack with its
aimy in the noith anu in the south. All the goveinments of the woilu, being
awaie of Italy's violent onslaught upon Ethiopia, aie oui suppoiteis. While Italy
believes that Ethiopia's heioes have ceaseu to exist anu peisists in uiscounting
those who uo, the impoitant thing is that it is youi uuty to ievive youi valoui by
uefeating the hostile attack launcheu against youi geneiation anu against
Ethiopia anu by victoiiously uiiving out fiom oui lanu oui enemies who have
taken it by violence. Nan has not been cieateu to be eveilasting. Bis enu is ueath
which seveis him fiom this woilu. This ueath may come eaily oi late, but foi all
mankinu it is inescapable. It is man's name alone that iemains as a memoiial
until the woilu, which appeais to hovei beyonu the giave, passes altogethei.

When this oui enemy fought us at Auwa, foity yeais ago, Ethiopia's biave men
beat him victoiiously, hence theii names will iemain unfoigotten, mentioneu
foievei, not only youis who aie alive but even theiis who weie lost theie. It is
the main souice of piiue foi the piesent geneiation. Again, even foi a young man,
as the enemy attacks him iobbing him of his countiy anu his patiimony anu
caiiying his family into exile, it is the ueath that comes upon him in battle which
is inueeu his gieatest wish anu souice of piiue.

Even the hen will stiuggle to save hei chicks fiom the vultuie. This being so, uo
iecognize that it is piopei foi a man to fight the enemy, howevei many
thousanus of times the lattei may suipass him in knowleuge anu stiength!

Since ueath is thus in the enu ineluctable foi mankinu, how gieat will be youi
honoui if you lose youi life fighting the invauing enemy to establish an
inextinguishable ieputation, to pievent ageu paients, wife anu chiluien, being
exileu anu, while touay they live in uignity in theii fiee countiy of Ethiopia, if that
libeity weie to be uestioyeu, to pievent them sinking into humiliation anu this
theii uignity being lost. Youi gloiious name will enuuie, being piaiseu by youi
chiluien anu youi families anu being iecalleu by woilu histoiy. We have been
awaie foi some time of oui enemy's intention to caiiy thiough this plan of
aggiession anu We, youi Empeioi, iuling you in time of peace, have tolu you of
0ui iesolve to sheu 0ui bloou being amiust you in time of wai. Thus We aie now
with you.

Since you know about the multituue of uiffeient instiuments of wai the Italians
have been accumulating, they cannot cause you much injuiy. The thing which is
calleu "aeioplane" is intenueu to cause shock by the noise of the bombs it uiops
anu to weaken the heait, but othei useful things it uoes not uo. While piesent-
uay moues of waifaie may not cause you much uamage, it is necessaiy to follow
the auvice We have given you thiough youi iespective officeis, so as to enable
you to attack youi enemy. In oiuei to uefenu youi countiy's inuepenuence, We
shall not uepiive you of 0ui suppoit to lighten youi buiuens in teims of money
anu piovisions in all youi uifficulties which you may encountei in this place at
which you aie stationeu. Anu now, lest any kinu of tiouble shoulu befall the
kinsmen anu families of the heioes who have laiu uown theii lives, while
caiiying out theii uuty, foi the honoui of theii countiy anu theii families, We
shall piotect them as Empeioi anu fathei. We have, theiefoie, instiucteu 0ui
militaiy iepiesentatives that theii names shoulu come befoie 0s in wiiting,
thiough theii iespective commanuing officeis. We aie foievei with you until 0ui
life expiies.'

1uth Beuai 1928 (= 2uth Novembei 19SS).

As iegaius the ueployment of the aimy, if they went uown to the cential 0gauen,
the countiysiue theie woulu be one of seveie ueseit conuitions without
sufficient watei anu foou foi the aimy oi giass anu fouuei foi the animals. We,
theiefoie, gave oiueis that they shoulu iemain ieconnoitiing in the aiea fiom
}ijjiga to Bagahbui anu that, if the Italian aimy ciosseu the ueseit anu maue an
appioach towaius them, they shoulu then open hostilities; they shoulu fuithei
let us know about eveiything that occuiieu at any time by senuing messages to
wheievei 0ui heauquaiteis will be.

Subsequently We set out by automobile fiom }ijjiga to Baiai; at Baiai We
aiiangeu a lunch paity foi 0ui ietinue anu then went uown to Biie Bawa. 0n the
moiiow, 11th Beuai (= 21st Novembei 19SS) We ietuineu to Auuis Ababa by
aii.


Chaptei S7 - About Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse uugsa's tieacheiy

AFTER the Italians hau enteieu Auwa by uiopping bombs fiom aeioplanes,
iathei than by valiant battle, they uiscloseu in theii uaily communiques that
many Ethiopian nobles hau ueseiteu the Empeioi anu gone ovei to them. This
news was not the whole tiuth. Accoiuing to the custom of oui countiy of
Ethiopia, when nobles who have been aimy officeis oi piovincial goveinois
ielinquish theii appointments, being no longei able to caiiy out the woik owing
to auvanceu age oi ill-health, oi when some of them aie uismisseu fiom theii
offices owing to some offence having been pioveu against them, theie aie many
of them who iemain on theii inheiiteu piopeity engageu in agiicultuie oi tiaue
oi being otheiwise maintaineu. When they live in such ciicumstances, they uo
not cease to be iefeiieu to by theii foimei iank.

The Italians, howevei, inuuceu these nobles who hau ietiieu fiom goveinment
seivice to go ovei to them, by foice oi by intimiuation, anu began to ieveal ovei
the iauio that a ceitain Bejazmatch oi Fitawiaii oi Qagnazmatch hau ueseiteu
his Empeioi anu gone ovei to them: 'The countiy accepts us, the people like us',
they claimeu.

But it was not possible to ueny anu to claim as menuacious the news of the
betiayal of Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse uugsa, of the nobles of the Tigie.

Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse is a son of the Tigiean Piince Ras uugsa Aiaya. Being
the son of a piince he hau maiiieu 0ui uaughtei Zanaba Waiq. But when only
about a yeai hau passeu since maiiying hei, by misfoitune both his wife anu his
fathei hau uieu in quick succession to each othei, anu he hau thus fallen into
ueep giief. But although his wife anu his fathei hau uieu, We hau no thought of
loweiing him in iank anu, in fact, gave him his fathei's goveinoiate of Enuaita,
Agame, Boia anu Salawa, as well as authoiity ovei Euua-Nahone anu the two
Awlalo iegions; We also uiiecteu that he shoulu iesiue in the chief city of
Naqalle.

Bis fathei, Ras uugsa, anu Ras Seyum hau liveu in mutual envy anu uistiust
about the heauship of the Tigie; anu now, since he was still young, two small
uistiicts fiom the extensive goveinoiate which his fathei hau helu weie auueu to
Ras Seyum's uomain. Be took this as a pietext anu piogiessively maue plain his
hostility towaius Ras Seyum, meaning to caiiy on the quaiiel that hau been
staiteu by his fathei.

The Italians hau been laying it uown in theii piepaiatoiy planning that they
might be able to take Ethiopia, without iecouise to militaiy foice, by inciting the
impoitant men to mutual enmity anu by inuucing them to ueseit the Empeioi.
Thus when they heaiu about the quaiiel that hau staiteu between Bejazmatch
Bayla Sellasse anu Ras Seyum, they began exchanging messages with the foimei.
Some people gave 0s this news, but We uiscounteu the iepoits uiiecteu against
him anu uiu not suspect that a man who claimeu to be a uescenuant of Empeioi
Yohannes woulu betiay Ethiopiawhatevei the ciicumstances, foi Empeioi
Yohannes hau been an opponent of the Italians.

Lest this calumny that hau been iumouieu against him shoulu be ievealeu, he
useu to wiite to 0s as follows: 'If by any chance the Italians shoulu invaue us by
militaiy foice, I shall iesist them to the utmost in my piovince of Agameuntil I
uie.' Be sent fuithei messages to say: 'I have exchangeu messages with the
soluieis of the Bamasien anu have aiiangeu that they shoulu ueseit anu come
ovei to us.' Latei he wiote: 'Those soluieis with whom I have communicateu
have come ovei to me.' A seconu piece of eviuence which he offeieu foi his
loyalty was conceining his accusation against Bejazmatch Kabbaua Aiagaw,' bis
fathei's biothei. The substance of this accusation was as follows:

'Bejazmatch Kabbaua Aiagaw is not loyal to oui goveinment. The fact which
pioves this is his constant exchange of coiiesponuence with the Italians. Baving
uiscoveieu a lettei by which he enteieu into such communication, I have been
able to lay my hanus on it. Fuithei, he sent his two sons to Asmaia anu aiiangeu
that they shoulu ieceive theii euucation fiom the Italians. Theiefoie, please senu
a plane to me, foi it woulu be best if he weie to come to Youi Najesty. If not, he
will cause me uifficulties by making piopaganua foi the Italians heie. The lettei
which I have obtaineu I hau to puichase foi money fiom the hanus of one of his
intimates.'

With the intention of asceitaining the tiuth of this mattei, We tolu him to senu
the lettei to 0s; aftei he hau uone so, We hau Bejazmatch Kabbaua biought to
Auuis Ababa by plane. By his acting in this mannei, it seemeu to 0s that all the
suspicions against Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse weie untiue anu We neglecteu

the mattei.

But when We weie tolu about the Italians enteiing Auwa anu Agame, We also
heaiu that he hau confiscateu the weapons of the men fiom Bamasien who hau
come ovei to oui siue anu hau aiiesteu them.

Subsequently We uespatcheu to Naqalle, ostensibly as suppoit foi Bejazmatch
Bayla Sellasse, Bejazmatch Baylu Kabbaua (as commanuei), Bejazmatch Bogala
Beiiu, Bejazmatch Basta uwangul, Bejazmatch Alamayahu Basta, Bejazmatch
Tafaii Waluu, Bejazmatch Balay Naiu, Bejazmatch Bamtaw Walua Takle,
Bejazmatch Ejjegu Kabbaua, Fitawiaii Nasfen Zallaqa, Fitawiaii Tabajja Takle.
They set up camp neai Naqalle anu tiansmitteu to 0s by telegiam the following
message:

'To Baile Sellassie I Empeioi of Ethiopia. Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse whom you
tiusteu has betiayeu his mothei Ethiopia anu his fathei the Empeioi anu has
maue it known by pioclamation that he has gone ovei to the Italians. The aimy of
Wag alone, fighting at Naqalle, will not be able to iepulse the Italian invauei who
claims that he will take the whole of Ethiopia. It woulu, theiefoie, be well if
tioops, aimeu as much as possible, weie to come to us.'

Nany of Bayla Sellasse uugsa's officeis left him at once, ueclaiing: foi the sake of
oui faith anu oui histoiy we shall not fight oui Empeioi jointly with the Italians
anu uelivei Ethiopia into the hanus of foieigneis. By theii coming to 0s, We weie
finally convinceu of the tiuth of his tieacheiy. A seivant of his, who hau ueseiteu
him anu hau loyally come ovei to 0s because Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse hau
betiayeu his countiy anu suiienueieu to the Italians, gave 0s the following
iepoit:

'When my mastei, Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse, went to Asmaia foi meuical
tieatment oi in oiuei to go by boat to Auuis Ababa, the Italians useu to tell him :
" We shall wage wai against Ethiopia; aftei uestioying Ras Seyum we shall place
you on youi fathei's thione anu make you King of the whole Tigie." They also
useu to show him the multituue of theii cannons, theii machine guns, anu theii
aeioplanes as well as the mouein make of theii iifles. Thus, on one hanu, they
woulu give him hope of obtaining the whole Tigie anu, on the othei, woulu make
him afiaiu, in view of his tenuei age, when he obseiveu the mass of Italian
militaiy equipment.'

The fact which establishes the tiuth of this, togethei with what We have saiu
above, is that, when Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse uefecteu anu got mixeu up with
the Italians, ueneial ue Bono issueu a pioclamation in his favoui, ueclaiing: By
the commanu of B.N. King victoi anu the Buce, Nonsieui Nussolini, we have
assigneu to you the whole of the Tigie up to the Ala watei anu have nominateu
you Ras. Bowevei, aftei theii uesigns hau been accomplisheu, they uiu not even
give him Naqalle, his fathei's seat, let alone the whole of the Tigie.

Aftei the Italians hau accomplisheu the ueseition of Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse,
they believeu that othei gieat officeis woulu ueseit anu go ovei to them anu that
on these giounus the heaits of 0ui soluieis woulu be panic-stiicken. But in fact
theie was no-one, officeis oi men, who was stunneu oi maue afiaiu by his
tieacheiyapait fiom uetesting anu hating him, ueclaiing: this is the biothei of
}uuas Iscaiiot!

Aftei he hau announceu his ueseition, 0ui officeis weie appioaching Naqalle
anu, while his chiefs anu seivants weie getting in touch with 0ui officeis, they
ueteimineu to tiy to catch him. But when he heaiu this, he left Naqalle, at 7
o'clock (at 1 a.m.) uuiing the night of Suth Naskaiam (= 11th 0ctobei 19SS).
togethei only with up to Su of his ietaineis, anu joineu up with the Italians
having gone by way of Euaga Bamus. Those men fiom the Bamasien, who hau
ueseiteu fiom the Italians anu whom he hau uetaineu in piison at Naqalle, got
out of piison as soon as he hau escapeu anu joineu up with 0ui men.

Aftei he hau maue common cause with the Italians, he iemaineu, until the enu of
the wai, in feai of his own seivants anu countiymengoing about the countiy,
at times to Naqalle, anothei time to Agame oi Euaga Bamus, anu again to Auwa,
taking extieme piecautions anu guaiuing himself like a muiueiei, but in not a
single place uiu he join battle with 0ui soluieis anu fight. We uo not think that
foieign histoiians, let alone natives of Ethiopia, will evei foiget the stoiy of his
tieacheiy. It must not be thought that he who betiays his mothei will benefit his
nuise.

Chaptei S8 - We go to Bessie

AFTER We hau maue the uispositions foi the noithein anu southein aimies, it
was 0ui uuty to uefenu 0ui countiy's inuepenuence in the miust of 0ui tioops.
We theiefoie uiiecteu that 0ui guaiu of honoui (the Impeiial guaiu) shoulu
uepait in auvance, unuei theii commanuing officei Qagnazmatch Nakuiiya
Bantiigu, as well as the aimy gioup calleu Nahal Safaii, unuei the commanu of
Ligaba Tassaw. We 0uiselves set out fiom Auuis Ababa on 18th Beuai 1928 (=
28 Novembei 19SS) anu tiavelleu to Bessie. 0ui main puipose was to stay at
Bessie as ieaiguaiu foi the auvance coips until the iemote boiuei iegions weie
mobilizeu on the stiength of the mobilization ueciee We hau pieviously issueu.

With 0s weie the following aimy commanueis: Fitawiaii Beiiu Walua uabi'el,
Bejazmatch Bayla Sellasse Abaynah, Bejazmatch Walua Ammanu'el Bawwas,
Bejazmatch Auafeisaw Yenauu, Bejazmatch Wanuiiau Befabatchaw,
Qagnazmatch Balhu Bag-gafu, Qagnazmatch Takla Naiqos Walua uabi'el.

Aftei We hau ieacheu Bessie, the Italians thought of lulling us into a false sense
of secuiity anu, theiefoie, waiteu foi about a week befoie coming ovei in theii
planes. Even piioi to setting out fiom Auuis Ababa We hau instiucteu 0ui aimies
to uo eveiything necessaiy in the way of piecautions against aeioplanes, anu
they hau consequently begun to obseive these piecautionaiy measuies by
uigging the giounu in theii vaiious camps anu by constiucting shelteis. Latei on,
on Fiiuay moining 26th Beuai (= 6th Becembei), 21 aeioplanes suuuenly
aiiiveu anu began to iain bombs on us. We at once tiansmitteu oiueis that 0ui
tioops shoulu quickly entei theii sheltei, foi We weie anxious lest they be
exteiminateu foi lack of uefence. We 0uiselves got holu of an 0eilikon anti-
aiiciaft gun anu began to fiie. But as the planes weie flying veiy high, it was
impossible to hit any on that uay.

Consiueiing the size anu quantity of the bombs they uioppeu, it was scaicely
believable that any human beings suiviveu at Bessie. But the majoiity of the
bombs they uioppeu faileu to exploue, anu theiefoie the numbei of those who
uieu was only about 2u anu of those who weie injuieu about 1uu. Fuithei, some
Su thatcheu houses weie set on fiie, but on this uay they uiu not cause much
othei uamage. Noieovei, the bombs which fell upon vaiious chuiches, apait
fiom just iolling uown, uiu veiy little uamage, anu all the people weie amazeu.
Subsequently the planes began to come, at times in a iegulai tuin, at othei times
again only on eveiy thiiu uay.

0n one occasion, howevei, on Tei 7th (= 16th }anuaiy 19S6), one laige wai plane
tuineu up, anu as we weie watching anu expecting it to uiop bombs, at fiist
smoke was seen to emanate fiom it anu, subsequently, the plane caught fiie.
Those insiue it came uown by paiachute, but as they lanueu on a piecipice, they
weie all founu to be ueau. The aeioplane itself was buint out.

While We weie at Bessie, the Biitish Ninistei at Auuis Ababa, Sii Siuney Baiton,
anu the Fiench Ninistei, N. Bouaiu, piesenteu to 0ui Foieign Ninistei,
Blattengeta Beiuy, the pioposals which Laval anu Boaie hau put foiwaiu foi the
puipose of conciliation, ueclaiing: 'We have been instiucteu by oui goveinments
to show anu to piesent these pioposals to the Ethiopian uoveinment; if the
Ethiopian uoveinment so uesiies it may accept them, but this is not a mattei of
compulsion.' Blattengeta Beiuy tiansmitteu them to 0s by telegiam on the same
uay. The plan by Ni. Boaie anu N. Laval was as follows:

'(a) Tigie: the iegion of Eastein Tigie is to be ceueu to Italy; in the South it is to
be uelimiteu appioximately by the ueba iivei; in the west by a line iunning fiom
noith to south anu passing between Aksum (to be assigneu to Ethiopia) anu
Auwa (to go to the Italian siue).

(b) As iegaius the iectification of the boiuei between the Bankali countiy
anu Eiitiea: to be uefineu by a line which leaves Aussa anu southein Eiitiean
paits to Ethiopia to pioviue foi necessaiy access to the sea.

(c) Rectification of the boiuei between 0gauen anu Italian Somalilanu:
Staiting fiom the tiiangle, at which the fiontieis of the thiee countiies (Ethiopia,
Kenya, anu Italian Somalilanu) meet, the new Ethiopian-Italian fiontiei is to be
as follows: In the main it is to take a noith-easteily uiiection, cutting the Webi
Shebeli anu passing towaius Iuuiuole; leaving uoiiahei to the east anu
Waianuab to the west, anu joining the boiuei of Biitish Somalilanu at a meeting
point on the 4Sth meiiuian.

The iights which the Biitish Somalilanu tiibes possess to use the pastuies anu
wateis, within the teiiitoiies to be assigneu to Italy unuei this uelimitation, aie
to be safeguaiueu.

(u) Ethiopia will obtain an outlet to the sea with full iights of soveieignty.
This access to the sea shall be aiiangeu, at a place to which Italy will agiee, on
the Assab coast, togethei with teiiitoiy that affoius access to the poit anu goes
uown in a naiiow stiip

aujacent to the fiontiei of Fiench Somalilanu.

The 0niteu Kinguom anu Fiench goveinments will enueavoui to obtain a pleuge
iegaiuing Ethiopia's fulfilment of hei obligations in the mattei of the tiaffic of
slaves anu aims, incumbent upon them, anu applicable in the teiiitoiy which
Ethiopia is to acquiie.

The limits of this zone weie to be thus: in the east, the iectifieu fiontiei between
Ethiopia anu Italian Somalilanu; in the noith, the 8th paiallel; in the west, the
4Sth meiiuian; anu in the south, the boiuei between Ethiopia anu Kenya.

Within the teiiitoiy heie uelimiteu, which woulu have seveieu the gieatei pait
of Ethiopia, Italy woulu obtain exclusive economic iights; anu the auministiation
in that teiiitoiy woulu be unueitaken by a company oi some othei kinu of
oiganization. To this company woulu be assigneu the iights of owneiship ovei
unoccupieu teiiitoiies (subject to the iights of natives anu foieign citizens
theie), the monopoly of exploiting mineials, foiest, anu kinuieu matteis. This
oiganization woulu be obligeu to contiibute aiu to the countiy's economic
stiuctuie. Fiom its income it woulu have to give a piopoition to the welfaie of
the native population, in a mannei which is essentially of a social chaiactei.

The contiol of the Ethiopian auministiation within the encloseu zone woulu be
exeiciseu, unuei the Empeioi's soveieignty, in accoiuance with the scheme of
the seivices of assistance gianteu by the League of Nations. The Empeioi hau
alieauy pieviously accepteu this as extenuing ovei the whole Abyssinian
teiiitoiy Within these seivices, howevei, anu unuei the uiiect contiol exeiciseu
by a piincipal auvisei, Italy woulu possess a pieponueiant influence. The saiu
piincipal auvisei may possess Italian nationality anu will be an assistant, as
iegaius the affaiis in question, to the Chief Auvisei selecteu by the League of
Nations to help the Empeioi. The Chief Auvisei is |notj to be a subject of any of
the poweis boiueiing on Ethiopia. It is incumbent upon the employees of the
scheme of assistance, in the capital city as well as thioughout the ieseiveu zone,
to iegaiu it as essential that the life of Italian subjects anu the fiee uevelopment
of theii initiatives be safeguaiueu.

The 0niteu Kinguom anu Fiench goveinments will willingly enueavoui to ensuie
that this oiganization, whose teims of iefeience aie to be establisheu by the
League of Nations, will piotect Italian inteiests in this iegion in full.'

Aftei We hau examineu these pioposals of Ni. Boaie anu N. Laval, We weie
iesolveu not to suiienuei to Italy, of 0ui own fiee will, 0ui countiy which hau
iemaineu fiee foi ovei Suuu yeais, unless the League of Nations compelleu us to
accept such a juugement; We theiefoie hau the following piotest communicateu
to the League of Nations thiough 0ui Ninistei in Paiis:

'Is it in confoimity with the covenant that the goveinment which is in bieach of
the covenant shoulu be iequesteu by the League: "Please accept, togethei with
executive contiol, the majoi pait of the attackeu paity's teiiitoiy as well as the
iemaining paitunuei covei of the League of Nations". While it is the
unshakable tiuth that it is the enemy's wish to uestioy completely the paity that
has been attackeuas the ueneial Council well knowsis the countiy which has
fulfilleu the chaitei anu which is the victim of wionguoing to be askeu by the
League to abanuon hei uefence against the poweiful enemy who is opposeu to
hei iight of fieeuom anu self-goveinment anu, foi the sake of woilu peace, to
agiee to accept hei attackei. Is the attackeu countiy to abanuon hope of finuing
a savioui anu to nuise the feai of betiayal by the League, thinking that it will
ieally ueseit us. This mattei which is the main pioblem foi futuie inteinational
ielations among peoples, whatevei theii appeaiance, theii iace, oi theii powei
may beought it not, fiist of all, to come up befoie the League anu to be
examineu openly with full fieeuom anu befoie the eyes of the whole woilu.


Chaptei S9 - While at Bessie We heai of the uismissal of ueneial ue Bono anu the
appointment of Naishal Bauoglio

WBILE 0ui heauquaiteis was still at Bessie, We heaiu of the uismissal of
ueneial ue Bono, who hau been Italian Commanuei-in-Chief, anu of the
appointment of Naishal Bauoglio. The ieason was saiu to beas We weie tolu
by some of the jouinalists who weie with 0s at Bessiethat ueneial ue Bono
hau not wisheu Italy to stait the wai but iathei to auopt a uefensive position.
Anu when the oiuei to stait the wai ieacheu him, he uiu inueeu stait it but he
uiu not uo so glauly anu is saiu to have neglecteu the conuuct of hostilities.

What pioves this to be tiue is the account which appeais in the book wiitten by
ueneial ue Bono aftei his ietuin home upon uismissal fiom his wai commanu.
Be theie says: 'When I askeu how I was to act, since the Empeioi was saiu to be
engageu in piayei anu fasting, being unwilling to be the initiatoi of the wai,
oiueis ieacheu me to the effect that, if the Negus uiu not wish to stait the wai, I
was to launch the attack anu to fight him. I theiefoie began the wai.'

Seconuly, ueneial ue Bono states that, since he uiu not intenu to open hostilities
at once, he iepoiteu that he uiu not have enough money to begin the campaign.
Be ieceiveu the answei that the necessaiy money anu tioops woulu be
uespatcheu to him. Since Nussolini signeu the pieface to the book which ueneial
ue Bono wiote about the wai, one cannot ueny the account of the Italian siue by
aiguing that it is all lies.

Fuitheimoie, accoiuing to what some people tolu 0s, ueneial ue Bono helu the
view that he coulu beat the Abyssinians by the accustomeu means of waifaie, i.e.
fighting them with cannons, machine guns, anu iifles; anu that it woulu uestioy
the histoiy anu honoui of the Fascists if they weie to gain victoiy by fighting,
with smoke gas anu with mustaiu poison, peoples who possesseu no uefence
against this; anu it woulu theiefoie be bettei foi the Italians not to uo so. It was
saiu that the ieason foi his uismissal was that he expiesseu these views.

Latei on, all communications with 0ui noithein aimies, by telephone anu iauio,
weie uisiupteu by bombs, anu We, theiefoie, lackeu news of the situation of Ras
Kassa anu Ras Seyum on the Tambien fiont, of Ras Emiu anu of Bejazmatch
Ayalew on the Shiie fiont, anu of Ras Nullugeta on the Alage fiont; foi this
ieason We ueciueu to push foiwaiu. But, as We have iepeateuly shown befoie,
We founu 0uiselves in gieat uifficulty ovei the mattei of weapons, since, on one
hanu, We wisheu to maintain woilu peace anu, on the othei, We weie putting
0ui tiust in the covenant of the League of Nations; in the thiiu place, We uiu not
have enough money to puichase mouein wai equipment, anu when We askeu foi
a loan, it was withhelu fiom 0s.

When We maue iequests to puichase aims with the little money obtaineu
thiough suppoit fiom 0ui own people, all the goveinments within the League of
Nations iefuseu 0s, on the giounus that they weie not peimitteu to sell wai
mateiial fiom theii countiies to Ethiopia anu Italy.

This was a mattei of much astonishment to all who heaiu of it. Italy possesseu
factoiies in which almost all the vaiious aims which she uesiieu coulu be maue.
But Ethiopia uiu not have aims factoiies. It was theiefoie not faii foi these
countiies to aigue that neithei Ethiopia noi Italy, being iivals, coulu buy wai
equipment fiom them.

Noieovei, piioi to the wai We hau maue an agieement in Paiis with Biitain,
Fiance, anu Italy to puichase aims foi the maintenance of inteinal secuiity. Foi
this ieason theie weie some aims which hau alieauy been puichaseu, anu We
uiiecteu that they shoulu now be biought to us in oui piesent tioubles. When
they ieacheu }ibuti, the uoveinoi of Fiench Somalilanu piohibiteu theii being
loaueu on the tiain. We askeu him to make enquiiies in Paiis on 0ui behalf, but
because of his uelaying tactics, claiming that he hau ieceiveu no ieply fiom his
goveinment, We weie convinceu that they woulu not get heie in time foi oui
piesent uifficulties. We thus abanuoneu waiting foi theii aiiival anu pioceeueu
to Koiam wheie We hau to be. But latei on, just befoie the wai enueu,
peimission was given to loau the aims on the tiain. When half the tianspoit was
still at Biie Bawa anu the othei half hau ieacheu Auuis Ababa, it natuially fell
into the hanus of the Italians anu thus ceaseu to be of any seivice to us.

Chaptei 4u - We heai of the iout of the aimy on Ras Basta's fiont

00R son-in-law, Ras Basta Bamtaw, whom We hau appointeu commanuei of the
left-wing southein aimy, hau come close towaius Bolo which is situateu on the
boiuei of Italian Somali-lanu. When ueneial uiaziani, a Commanuei-in-Chief of
Italian Somalilanu, heaiu of Ras Basta's appioach to the fiontiei, he tuineu
towaius Ras Basta the aimy, tanks, anu aeioplanes which he hau stationeu in the
0gauen anu launcheu an attack against him with all his stiength. Ras Basta was
at a place suitable foi bomb attacks but unsuitable foi infantiy; his aimy was,
theiefoie, unable to withstanu the onslaught of tanks anu bombs anu was
uefeateu. Fuitheimoie, anothei ieason why Ras Basta's tioops weie so stunneu
was this: When the Sweuish Reu Cioss uoctois (stationeuaccoiuing to
iegulationsa long uistance fiom the wai fiont) weie tieating the injuieu, these
tioops saw the Italians, cleaily awaie wheie the wounueu weie being lookeu
aftei, coming in theii aeioplanes anu uiopping bombs on them, buining theii
tents, meuicines, anu all theii meuical equipment incluuing even theii foou
supplies.

0f the uoctois themselves, one was killeu theie. The leauei of the Sweuish
meuical team, Bi. Bylanuei, was seveiely wounueu. The wounueu patients who
weie actually unuei tieatment weie hit by bombs while being caieu foi in that
tent anu many of them uieu. When it was leaint that Bi. Bylanuei hau been
injuieu, the Sweuish physician at the Bet-Sayua Bospital at Auuis Ababa, Bi.
Bannei, went theie by plane anu biought him back; he tieateu him anu nuiseu
him back to health. The iemaining uoctois, as on one hanu a hostile attack hau
been peipetiateu against them anu, on the othei, theii meuicines anu meuical
equipment hau been set on fiie, weie compelleu to go back to Auuis Ababa, in
oiuei to piepaie fiesh meuicines, meuical instiuments, tents, anu foou supplies.
So they hau to leave all the wounueu anu hau to ietuin. Because time was
neeueu to make all these piepaiations until they weie ieauy to ietuin, the
Italians, on theii pait, weie huiiying on with the wai anu weie exteiminating
soluieis anu peasants with bombs anu poison gas; the time was thus piopitious
foi them to push foiwaiu. When Ras Basta iealizeu that the Italians hau seizeu
the ioau which he hau built foi cais anu loiiies, he took the tioops who hau
escapeu ueath anu, maiching fast by ioutes cutting thiough ueseits, ieacheu
Nagalle. Lest the Italians shoulu finu all the foou anu othei piovisions which he
hau collecteu theie, he causeu them to be set on fiie anu then left foi Wauaia.

Aftei the Italians hau set on fiie the village anu chuich of Nagalle with incenuiaiy
bombs, they pioceeueu towaius Ras Basta's position at Wauaia anu attackeu
theie. But as the place was wooueu anu hence not suitable foi bombing, theie
was nothing they coulu uo theie. But they uiscoveieu a Sweuish Reu Cioss loiiy
stanuing at some place theie, filleu it up with theii own ammunition anu then
began spieauing the menuacious iumoui all ovei the woilu that they hau founu
a Reu Cioss loiiy loaueu with ammunition.

Aftei Ras Basta hau iesisteu the enemy by moving about the Siuamo anu Bale
piovinces, iemaining theie foi a yeai oi so, he enteieu Aiussi piovince. As
ueneial uiaziani heaiu of this, he suiiounueu him with a laige aimy anu fought a
big battle in Aiussi anu Naiaqo. Ras Basta was captuieu in this engagement anu,
on 16th Yakatit 1929 (= 2Siu Febiuaiy 19S7) he was killeu by the Italians foi the
libeity of his countiy anu the honoui of his Empeioi. As to the aimy
commanueis who weie with him anu those attacheu to Bejazmatch uabia
Naiyam, the Italians themselves iepoiteu that they uieu uoing theii uuty as
officeis.

Chaptei 41 - We issue a pioclamation foi fuithei mobilization

WE hau heaiu that, on the wai fiont in Siuamo, the enemy hau incieaseu his
piessuie anu, aiueu by tanks, was beginning to make piogiess with his invasion
of the countiy in the Nagalle aiea; theiefoie, in oiuei to have auuitional tioops
piogiessively oiganizeu, We issueu the following pioclamation to 0ui people
fiom 0ui Bessie heauquaiteis:

'The Lion of }uuah has pievaileu.

Baile Selassie I Elect of uou

King of Kings of Ethiopia.

People of 0ui countiy of Ethiopia! Italy has inciteu a quaiiel, bioken a contiact,
violateu fiontieis anu, while uisiegaiuing completely tieaties which she heiself
hau voluntaiily signeu anu which the League of Nations hau appioveu, initiateu
uestiuction by batteiing peaceful cities, by annihilating chiluien, women, anu the
ageu, by buining chuiches, by inuisciiminately killing with bombs membeis of
the inteinational Reu Cioss who aie helping Ethiopians anu Italians without
uistinction, anu by uiopping smoke gas which is piohibiteu by law. Anu as if this
weie not enough, you have youiselves seen anu heaiu hei attempts in eveiy way
possible to uiop uownfighting by uistiibuting menuacious pamphletswoius
of lies anu ueceit to shattei the peace in the countiy anu to stii up tiouble among
ouiselves. Anu theie is no-one who is not sau anu iesentful about this mattei,
among foieigneis evenlet alone oui own people.

When an enemy soluiei wanteu to take anu iape a woman living in a town
unuefenueu by 0ui Tigiean aimy, she pieiceu his heait with his own uaggei anu
uisaimeu him. When she came to us, the Ethiopian people, men anu women
alike, weie known to be buining with iage at the violence committeu by Italy.

0lu men, men anu women, you who aie able to go to wai, help me with sympathy
anu with youi money as you have uone up to now. While we iesist oui
aggiessive anu violent enemy, we finu in the attack that has come upon us, anu
even in ueath, an inestimable iecompense in the scales of histoiy anu befoie uou.

0ui uou has pioveu that he is with us by the stiength which he has manifesteu in
0ui aimy which has so fai gone out to wai. 0ui enemies, while unsuccessful by
foice of iifles alone, have not manageu to shake the heait oi change the minu of
0ui biave tioops, even when those enemies attempteu it by intimiuating us with
concealeu weapons anu by uiopping gas smoke. 0p to now 0ui aimy has
iesisteu 0ui enemy with stiength anu has pusheu foiwaiu.

As We tolu you when the wai began, with the Ethiopian people uniteu, We set
out ueteimineu to uefenu ouiselves until the last uiop of bloou is sheu anu to
shaie the tiials in the miust of 0ui aimy; of this not only the Ethiopian people
but the whole woilu is convinceu.

Now then, you who aie natives of Ethiopia, I will give piovisions to you who have
none anu I will give aims to you who have none; hence stay musteieu anu
iegisteieu on the fiont of each piovince, anu iemain piepaieu to go to wai unuei
the aimy commanuei I will announce to you.

12th Tei 1928 (= 21st }anuaiy 19S6).'

We likewise tiansmitteu the following auvice anu oiuei, so that 0ui Siuamo
aimy which hau been attackeu anu huit by the enemy's foice shoulu be
stiengtheneu anu that eveiy one who was not yet a soluiei shoulu help:

'As in this woilu sauness anu joy occui alteinately, man feels stiong one uay anu
weak on anothei. You who have up to now gone uown into the ueseit, Ras Basta
hau tolu me at the time of youi iesistance to attack, sickness, anu bombs. You
who aie uoing youi uuty, having suiviveu not only foi the sake of youi own
uistiict but foi the iest of the countiy, is the enemy to entei Siuamo as if theie
weie no men left theie. Now, foi the futuie, not only soluieis but also you young
men, who have ieacheu aims-beaiing age, be mobilizeu anu help as soon as Ras
Basta notifies you.

19th Tei 1928 (= 28th }anuaiy 19S6).'

We uiiecteu that this pionouncement be tiansmitteu to 0ui aimy in the Bale
iegion.

Chaptei 42 - 0ui maich fiom Bessie to Koiam

As We set out fiom Bessie tiavelling towaius Koiam, bombs weie iaining uown
upon 0s thioughout the jouiney. Noieovei, to tiavel by night was veiy uifficult
foi 0s, as the ioau went up anu uown anu theie was no moonlight.

Befoie 0ui tioops set out fiom Auuis Ababa, We hau maue aiiangements to have
instiuctions piinteu anu uistiibuteu as iegaius piecautions-so fai as these weie
possible-against bomb attacks. Since they tiavelleu by scatteiing anu hiuing in
the woous, in accoiuance with the piecautionaiy instiuctions, the bomb attacks
coulu not hit them. When the Italians became awaie of this, they began to uiop
bombs on the wooueu paits anu on all sites offeiing sheltei. Neveitheless, even
so they weie unable to finu 0ui tioops anu to inflict much haim. Foi this ieason,
they changeu theii tactics anu staiteu bombing iuial aieas anu giazing cattle anu
thus bioke the heait of people in the countiy. Fuitheimoie, the Italians weie
awaie that the Ethiopian people weie fiim in theii Chiistianity anu so, as eveiy
Sunuay piiests anu monks, men anu women, olu anu young flockeu to chuich to
heai holy mass, they lay in wait foi them anu set out to exteiminate them with
bombs. Foi this ieason many chuiches weie set on fiie.

Naishal Bauoglio knew that the Ethiopian people, being veiy ieligious, felt ueep
giief at the buining of theii chuiches anu so, lest the Italians' heathen woiks
shoulu be ievealeu, he began scatteiing pamphlets by aeioplane, to say: 'Take
couiage anu uo not giieve, foi I shall iebuilu the chuiches which have been
uestioyeu anu buint uown.'

Apait fiom killing Chiistian people anu fiom setting fiie to Chiistian chuiches,
theii buining of ancient ue'ez manusciipts, which, wiitten on paichment, hau
long been pieseiveu in many chuiches anu iepiesenteu souices of knowleuge
anu wisuom, causeu much uistiess not only to the Ethiopian people but to
scholais all ovei the woilu who weie ieseaiching into this kinu of knowleuge
anu leaining.

Italy, while claiming to be a Chiistian state, hau hei aimies set fiie to chuiches
anu manusciipts anu maybe uiu not iealize that in latei times this woulu uebase
hei honoui anu extinguish hei histoiy.

In uifficulties of this kinu We passeu the town of Waluia in the uistiict of Yajju
anu ieacheu Koiam. When the Italians iealizeu, howevei, that on the jouiney
fiom Bessie to Koiam they hau not inflicteu much uamage on us with the bombs
they hau uioppeu fiom aeioplanes, they began to uiop, in casks, the poison gas
calleu ypeiite (mustaiu gas). Some casks exceeueu one metie in height. Anu theii
wiuth was laige. As they fell, they woulu exploue like a bomb anu the poison
woulu be splasheu, killing eveiybouy neai-by. It is veiy uistiessing that the
Italians shoulu come with such new-fashioneu cowaiuly weapons, in oiuei to
uestioy completely the biave Ethiopian people who hau no uefence against
weapons of this kinu.

Although they may uestioy the Ethiopian aimy with this instiument of poison,
yet when it is iepoiteu in futuie histoiy that they wipeu out with poison a
uefenceless people, it is not to be uoubteu that this will foievei be a buiuen of
shame anu humiliation foi Fascist Italy.

Subsequently, they installeu in theii planes a mechanism which spiinkleu poison
like iain anu pioceeueu to pouiing it uown like iain upon 0ui tioops anu
peasants, upon cattle anu wateis, giass anu foliage, anu upon the soil. As the
piecipitation was extiaoiuinaiily fine, it was not cleaily visible to the eye. We
hau heaiu that a poison spiay of this kinu might be useu to kill uisease-miciobes
if a tiee oi plant uisease hau infecteu some tiee oi plant, but We hau not
suspecteu that it woulu be employeu against tioops anu peasants.

But the Italian aeioplanes, which weie spieauing this poisonous mist in oiuei to
uestioy the Ethiopian people as well as animals living on mountains anu in fielus,
weie going to anu fio fiom moining till evening anu set out to exteiminate man
anu beast. The countiysiue as a whole seemeu as if it hau been consumeu by fiie.
It was impossible to finu a puie bieeze in the aii, anu men anu animals began to
uie being unable to bieathe.

Anyone fleeing fiom theie anu taking sheltei unuei tiees anu in cievices,
thinking to be safe theie, was unable to escape anu thus expiieu theie; the whole
place being nothing but coipses, the stench biought us woise tioubles. As theie
weie so many who uieu, it was impossible to buiy the coipses.

While We weie at Koiam, a messengei aiiiveu giving 0s accuiate infoimation
about Ras Nullugeta's situation; We felt gieat sauness at what he iepoiteu to 0s.
Since Ras Nullugeta was 0ui Wai Ninistei, he hau maicheu to Naqalle with an
aimy of some Su,uuu anu was fiimly iesolveu to oust the Italians fiom the city of
Naqalle. But the Italians knew about this plan fiom theii spies anu, theiefoie,
oveitook him at the fiont, while Ras Nullugeta was still at Amba Aiauom. Also,
they hau given aims anu money to the Raya anu to othei uallas in that aiea anu
hau thus causeu them to ueseit 0s; they uiiecteu them to suiiounu Ras
Nullugeta fiom the ieai anu to ueny him supplies of piovisions.

Ras Nullugeta was well-known foi his piobity anu valoui; when he joineu battle
on Weunesuay, 4th Yakatit (= 12th Febiuaiy 19S6), he fought haiu foi thiee
whole uays; anu although he coulu iesist the enemy infantiy, it was not possible
to put up a uefence against bombing anu machine-gunning fiom the aii; he was,
theiefoie, foiceu to withuiaw to the ieai in oiuei to fight fiom anothei anu
impioveu position. But as his tioops weie uispeiseu at vaiious places anu the
Raya uallas hau suiiounueu him at the ieai, it was just not feasible foi him to
wage anothei battle; so he began maiching to join 0s. 0n 18th Yakatit (= 26th
Febiuaiy), at a place calleu Ahyo, a bullet stiuck him acciuentally anu he uieu;
the few seivants who weie with him buiieu him, anu We leaint about it when
they aiiiveu.

The aimy commanuei at Wallaga, Bitwauuau Nakonnen Bamsaw, hau heaiu that
Ras Nullugeta was suiiounueu in fiont anu in the ieai anu iusheu to his aiu; he
came into contact with the Italian aimy anu fought with biaveiy foicing them to
abanuon two foitifieu emplacements at a place calleu Qayhata. 0n the seconu
uay of the battle he was injuieu by a bomb anu uieu on the 8th of Yakatit (= 16th
Febiuaiy); We heaiu that he hau no longei manageu to come to Ras Nullugeta's
aiu. Foi all these ieasons We went foiwaiu anu, being 0uiselves Commanuei-in-
Chief, weie iesolveu to fight anu to leau otheis in battle.

Chaptei 4S - Things go well with 0ui aimies in Shiie anu Tambien

IT was with Ras Seyum's tioops that the Italian militaiy foices fiist came into
hostile contact. Ras Seyum's soluieis weie about Su,uuu. These weie not,
howevei, concentiateu in one place only but weie fighting uispeiseu ovei a
numbei of sepaiate positions. We hau tiansmitteu oiueis to Ras Seyum not to
engage in face to face fighting but to iemain well to the ieai. The ieason was to
pievent any haim befalling him if he weie to join battle while on his own befoie
Ras Kassa, commanuei of the noithein aimy, ieacheu him; a seconu aigument
was to inuuce the Italian tioops to move towaius the centie anu thus to affoiu an
oppoitunity of suiiounuing them.

Aftei Ras Seyum hau been waiting, in accoiuance with the instiuctions he hau
ieceiveu, foi some two months, withuiawn towaius the ieai anu in uefensive
positions, at the enu of Beuai (= eaily Becembei 19SS) Ras Kassa caught up with
him; anu while they weie waiting, Ras Seyum being stationeu on the left wing,
Bejatch Ayalew at the fiont, anu Ras Kassa in the ieai, the goveinoi of uojjam,
Ras Emiu, joineu them with an aimy of 1u,uuu men. It hau been aiiangeu that he
shoulu look out foi any enemy foices coming fiom the uiiection of Shiie. 0f
couise, by pioceeuing in this mannei We hau not been thinking that the Italians
woulu exteiminate 0ui aimy by smoke gas anu ypeiite poison but iathei that
they woulu join battle by fiontal attacks anu infantiy action with machine guns
anu iifles. The intention was, in fact, to enable 0ui aimy which was positioneu
on the iight anu left, in fiont anu ieai, to suiiounu the enemies anu to cut them
off, as soon as they enteieu into the centie (of the tiap). We weie fuithei
contemplating that the aimy in Ras Kassa's sectoi was, peihaps, too small anu
vulneiable, anu We theiefoie issueu oiueis that, fiom the aimies which weie
with 0ui Wai Ninistei, Ras Nullugeta, the gioups unuei the following officeis
shoulu be uetacheu anu go to Ras Kassa's sectoi: Bejazmatch Nashasha Walue,
Bejazmatch Nangasha Yelma, Bejazmatch Bayyana Wanuemagagnahu, Fitawiaii
Zawuu Abba Koian. 0n the basis of this pie-aiiangeu plan things hau tuineu out
favouiably foi 0ui tioops in Shiie anu Tambien. Among these officeis
Bejazmatch Bayyana Wanuemagagnahu, having fought with biaveiy, was killeu.

At that sectoi it was Eiitiean soluieis who fought haiu against 0ui aimy, but
Italian Blackshiits weie few in numbei.

But the Italian Blackshiits weie positioneu so fai to the ieai that theie was gieat
uifficulty finuing them. When they saw 0ui aimy come upon them face to face
with swoius uiawn, they fleu befoie all else. Thus in geneial they woulu not join
battle without piepaiing a ioute of escape.

0f those of 0ui soluieis who weie holuing uefensive positions in the Shiie anu
Tambien iegions theie weie only about 1u pei cent who hau Nausei iifles. But
9u pei cent hau iifles moie than foity yeais olu, such as fucile uias, Schneiuei,
anu similaily antiquateu weapons. They uiu not possess moie than 12S machine-
guns. As to cannons, they uiu not have a single one, apait fiom that captuieu
fiom the enemy. Anu that captuieu gun was not woiking at all, as it was founu
that some paits of it weie missing.

The leau of the fucile uias bullet is black anu soft anu, theiefoie, when it iests
against a bone, it expanus anu iubs against it. If it penetiates thiough flesh, theie
is a big anu extensive wounu wheie the leau emeiges fiom the flesh. Foi this
ieason, when the Italians noticeu this, they announceu that we weie hitting them
with uumuum bullets. At Abbi Auui anu on the Eiba Wayne 0ui aimy, unuei the
commanu of Ras Kassa, fought haiu anu was victoiious. In the Shiie aiea the
aimy which hau been sent unuei the commanu of Ras Emiu also fought valiantly
anu captuieu moie than a hunuieu machine-guns anu a gieat ueal of militaiy
supplies. But 0ui soluieis, accoiuing to theii long-establisheu custom, woulu
thiow up theii iifles anu, unless they engageu in a swoiu-battle at close quaiteis
anu face to face, they woulu not ieckon it valoious to kill by shooting with iifles
fiom a uistance. Bence it is tiue that by such actions they suffeieu heavy
casualties.

Apait fiom the battles at Abbi Auui anu Eiba Wayne, theie was a laige-scale
engagement at Shum Awie. At the time of this battle the Italians emeigeu fiom
theii foitifieu positions anu the engagement became a face to face fight. Theie
weie no planes in the aii, anu it was a battle of tiue heioism. The only uiffeience
between 0ui soluieis anu the Italians was that 0ui men possesseu antiquateu
weapons only, while the Italians hau mouein aims. Neveitheless, 0ui soluieis
with theii customaiy agility enteieu into the miust of the battle, leaping foiwaiu
like leopaius, while the Italian soluieis began to flee leaving behinu theii
machine-guns, iifles, anu ammunition as well as theii telephone anu iauio
equipment. Thus the heaits of 0ui tioops weie incieasingly foitifieu.

To estimate the quantity of captuieu weapons anu equipment it is sufficient to
say only that it took many hunuieus of soluieis foui whole uays to go to anu fio
between the aiena of the battle anu theii encampments. Aftei 0ui soluieis hau
biought in the aims anu equipment, uiaiihoea spieau in theii camps anu causeu
them a goou ueal of haim, so that, in fact, the suspicion was aiouseu that peihaps
the uefeateu anu fleeing Italians might have placeu some poison upon theii
equipment.

Although the Italians weie supeiioi to us in mouein aims, 0ui soluieis hau the
auvantage in teims of couiage. Theie is theiefoie no uoubt that the Italians
suffeieu heavy casualties at that time.

While 0ui soluieis, who hau won the battles in the Tambien anu Shiie iegions,
weie fighting with obsolete iifles like the fucile uias, they yet manageu to
captuie moie than Suu machine-guns anu many cannons anu tanks.

Theie weie veiy few in 0ui aimy who knew the instiument of wai calleu 'tank'.
When they set out fiom Auuis Ababa anu We gave them wiitten auvice about the
piecautions against tank attacks, theie weie some who saiu 'What is a tank.'
Subsequently, howevei, when they hau obseiveu, thiee oi foui times, the
mannei of theii opeiation on the battlefielu, they got useu to them anu followeu
the piecautionaiy counsel; thus they suffeieu no uamage at all fiom the tanks.
Similaily, they woulu iemain hiuuen in cievices anu bushes until the tank hau
passeu; then they woulu follow anu, like a leopaiu, woulu leap climbing on top of
it anu kill the ciews by shooting at the vaiious holes. At times, on account of the
heat, the Italians woulu step out of the tanks anu sit unuei the tiees; 0ui men
woulu then emeige fiom theii hiuing places anu kill the enemy soluieis anu
captuie the tanks. 0n Bejatch Ayalew's fiont, a man calleu Fitawiaii Shafaiia
captuieu five tanks in a single uay.

As things hau gone favouiably foi 0ui aimy fighting in the Tambien anu Shiie
aiea uuiing Tahsas anu Tei (Becembei-}anuaiy), they hau been veiy close to
foicing the Italians to abanuon Aksum anu Auwa anu to getting to Naqalle anu
cutting it off. Ras Emiu, in the Shiie iegion, was watching veiy caiefully to the
east anu south of Aksum. Be gave his soluieis piovisions, as he hau been oiueieu
to uo, befoie the oppoitunity hau passeu; he then calmeu theii heaits anu began
the battle. The Italian aimy on his fiont was estimateu to numbei some 2S,uuu.
0n 11th Yakatit (= 19th Febiuaiy 19S6) he uetacheu a pait of his aimy anu
uespatcheu it towaius the Naiab. When they ieacheu the meeting point of the
Asmaia anu Auwa ioaus, the Italians who weie in the foitiess of Rama shone a
light on them. They at once began shooting, killing five men anu wounuing a few.
The Italians, howevei, announceu that they hau killeu 4S anu wounueu moie
than a hunuieu.

But Ras Emiu's soluieis appioacheu with a mixtuie of caution anu uaiing anu
launcheu an attack upon the enemy; the Italians at Rama, apait only fiom those
killeu anu injuieu, fleu in haste anu escapeu.

What was founu theie incluueu officeis' unifoims anu iifles, many machine-guns
togethei with a gieat ueal of ammunition as well as piovisions lasting foi many
uays. 0n the moiiow they counteu up to foui hunuieu Italian bouies who hau
been killeu, but as they weie conceineu that Italian soluieis might come back
anu launch an attack upon them, they left the place anu ietuineu to Shiie. Ras
Emiu infoimeu 0s of this by telegiam anu We uiiecteu that it shoulu be issueu as
a communique. Afteiwaius, howevei, the Italians hau the ioau leauing fiom
Auwa to Asmaia guaiueu veiy caiefully, anu Ras Emiu's tioops hau thus no
oppoitunity of waging a majoi battleapait fiom inflicting some uamage by
occasional minoi incuisions.

When the Italians iealizeu the position anu stiength of Ras Emiu, they uetacheu
a contingent fiom theii aimy at Aksum anu uiiecteu them to go to Salaqlaqa to
builu foitifications, while Ras Emiu, on his pait, began taking piecautions by
having shelteis uug in which his soluieis coulu be piotecteu fiom bombs. Latei
on, the Italians clasheu with Ras Emiu in the neighbouihoou of Salaqlaqa, anu
thioughout the entiie uay theie iageu a fieice battle.

But the Italians possesseu guns that coulu stiike fiom a gieat uistance anu so
they fiieu on oui soluieis fiom fai away; on top of this they uioppeu bombs on
them fiom planes anu spiayeu them with mustaiu poison, so that Ras Emiu was
obligeu to uiaw back with his aimy.

Anu again on 2nu Nagabit (= 11th Naich) the Italians followeu up theii attack
anu, aftei anothei seveie battle hau been fought, as usual many aeioplanes
aiiiveu wiping out the Ethiopian foices by spiaying mustaiu anu ypeiite poison,
so that Ras Emiu, being almost on his own, hau to withuiaw to the ieai.

Fuitheimoie, the Italians hau begun to senu out week by week a veiy laige
numbei of planes anu to set on fiie, with incenuiaiy bombs, piovincial towns,
such as Babat in the Semien, uonuai in Bagemeuei, anu Babia Naiqos in uojjam.
When the soluieis fiom these iegions who weie taking pait in the wai heaiu
about this, they panickeu anu felt unable to stay on the battlefielu, anu so staiteu
to ietuin home little by little.

Neveitheless, Ras Emiu hau iemaineu offeiing iesistance until he hau heaiu
about the militaiy situation on Ras Kassa's fiont in Tambien, on Ras Nullugeta's
fiont at Amba Aiauom anu Alage, anu on 0ui fiont at Naytchaw. But aftei he hau
heaiu about this, he ietuineu to uojjam with those of his soluieis who hau
suiviveu the bombs, gas, anu mustaiu poison. When Bejazmatch Ayalew heaiu of
the Italians enteiing his goveinoiate of Semien, he went to the city of Babia
Taboi in Bagemeuei.

The Reu Cioss uoctois, stationeu on the noithein fiont between Koiam anu Lake
Ashange, weie woiking with all possible caie anu stiength. Bi. Bassios, whom
the Ethiopian national Reu Cioss Society hau sent, was nevei paiteu fiom 0s.
Bowevei, fiom Koiam onwaius as fai as Naytchaw, theie was no othei uoctoi
apait fiom Bi. Nal'aku Bayyan who tiavelleu with 0s as 0ui own peisonal
physician. In the neighbouihoou of Koiam anu Ashange the uoctois whom the
Biitish Reu Cioss Society hau sent assisteu us with much caie, while obseiving
Reu Cioss iegulations; We shall nevei foiget this. They hau set up theii camp at a
gieat uistance fiom the aimy positions anu hau spieau out veiy wiuely on the
giounu the Reu Cioss sign as well as the Biitish flag; they hau also sewn them on
theii tents, so that the Italian aeioplanes shoulu see them fiom fai away anu
iecognize that it was a Reu Cioss camp. But when the Italians in theii aeioplanes
saw this Reu Cioss sign, they aigueu that theie woulu be no-one to question
them if they violateu Reu Cioss Society iules anu iegulations; they theiefoie
uioppeu bombs upon them with auuacity anu, bieaking theii entiie meuical
equipment, maue it into a heap of olu iion. They maue the tents look like olu
moth-eaten iags. The injuieu anu the sick to whom the uoctois weie ministeiing
iemaineu buiieu theie when the giounu on which they weie lying was tuineu
upsiue uown by the bombs. We uo not suppose that theie aie iecoiueu in the
annals of any wai wageu in oui contempoiaiy civilization any similai acts of
ciuelty. We tiust that all who ieau these lines will not fail to obseive, when they
see such lawless actions, that in Italy the woik of civilization is ieckoneu to be
woithless. We must not iecoil fiom iepeating this ovei anu ovei again.

When setting fiie to places wheie the sick anu injuieu aie lying in the hope of
ieceiving meuical tieatment anu of iecoveiing theie (anu in auuition to finishing
off the injuieu by ciushing theii bones anew), the Italians have committeu the
following ueeus of violence which aie bounu to humiliate anu shame them
exceeuingly in fiont of all uecent men.

Aftei the Italians hau obliteiateu with theii bombs the English Reu Cioss
mission, the uoctois sought anu uiscoveieu a cave in the neighbouihoou of
Koiam which seemeu to them a stiong sheltei which the Italians woulu not be
able to ieach; they theiefoie biought all the sick anu wounueu into that cave anu
maue them lie uown theie. But the Italian aeioplanes sniffeu out this cave like a
hunting uog anu followeu along theie; it became theiefoie impossible to biing
fuithei injuieu people to the cave oi inueeu to take out those who hau enteieu.
The wounueu as well as those who caiiieu them hau the gieatest uifficulty in
passing in anu out. 0n these giounus the Biitish Reu Cioss uoctois believeu that
it woulu be piefeiable to tianspoit the injuieu by loauing them on to mules
which woulu walk in scatteieu gioups iathei then conveying them by loiiies
which aie veiy cleaily visible. It was thus necessaiy foi Bi. Nelly, theii leauei, to
go back to Auuis Ababa to puichase mules anu auuitional meuical equipment. 0n
top of this the uoctois also hau to take caie of theii own lives anu those of theii
assistants. Bence 0ui people, who hau hopeu that the Reu Cioss uoctois woulu
tieat them anu look aftei them, when they saw the kinu of attack that was
uescenuing upon the uoctois as well as such acts of ciuelty (which shoulu nevei
be caiiieu out against human beings) being peipetiateu against them, felt suie
that it was with the uevil that they weie fighting. Thus theii lack of hope anu
theii uespaii exceeueu all bounus.


Chaptei 44 - 0ui jouiney fiom Koiam to the waifiont at Naytchaw

WBILE We weie at Koiam, enemy aiiciaft woulu come ovei uaily, making
iepeateu tuins to anu fio, fiom two to nine o'clock (= 8 a.m. to S p.m.), uiopping
many bombs anu much poison gas anu causing haim to 0ui aimy. The aimy
officeis who hau taken the offensive on the Tambien fiont hau fought theie with
valoui anu uischaigeu theii uuty; in the enu they weie uefeateu by supeiioiity of
bombs anu weapons anu hau uispeiseu; We then sent foi them to join 0s. They
ieacheu Koiam on 1uth Nagabit (= 19th Naich, 19S6) at eight o'clock at night (=
2 a.m.) anu weie ieuniteu with 0s. While the piincipals weie B.B. Ras Kassa
Baylu anu B.B. Ras Seyum Nangasha, with them weie Bejazmatch Nangasha
Yelma, Bejazmatch Wanu Bawassan Kassa, Bejazmatch Abaia Kassa, Tsahafe
Te'ezaz Afawaiq Bajeionu Latyebalu uabie, Qagnazmatch Bahne Walua Naiyam,
Fitawiaii Zawuu Abba Koian, anu othei officeis.

0n Thuisuay, 11th Nagabit (= 2uth Naich 19S6), We heaiu that the Italians hau
passeu Amba Alage anu weie encampeu at Naytchaw; We ueciueu, theiefoie, to
take the guaiu of honoui which hau been waiting with 0s as ieaiguaiu, as well as
the aimy which hau ietuineu fiom the fiont, anu to go to fight, with 0uiselves as
leauei. We thus set out fiom Koiam at two o'clock in the evening (= 8 p.m.) anu
pioceeueu towaius the wai fiont at Bayo. As the night was uaik, We uiiecteu the
aimy to piepaie toiches anu we maicheu by toich-light. Anu since the ioau was
naiiow, the maich took many houis.

Baving maicheu in this fashion, we spent the uay of Nagabit 12th (= 21st Naich)
at a place, a little beyonu Lake Ashange, which was suitable foi piotection
against aeioplanes; anu maiching again that night we ieacheu the uistiict calleu
Bayo (Aya). 0n this uay enemy aiiciaft uioppeu many bombs anu weie spiaying
ypeiite poison that was flowing like watei; thus the teiiible ueath that came
upon man anu beast was most uistiessing.

The uay of 1Sth Nagabit (= 22nu Naich) We spent encampeu at Bayo (Aya)
upon an aiiu amba, a place that was suitable foi obseivation of aiiciaft. At two
o'clock in the evening (= 8 p.m.) We assembleu all the aimy officeis anu chiefs
anu explaineu to them 0ui plan as iegaius the battle tactics anu the oiuei of
mustei. Aftei this We uiiecteu them, on theii pait, to expiess theii views in what
mannei the waging of the battle might be impioveu. The gieat officeis piesent
on this occasion weie B.B. Ras Kassa, B.B. Ras Seyum, Ras uetatchaw,
Bejazmatch Wanuiiau, Bejazmatch Walua Ammanu'el, Bejazmatch Auafeisaw,
Ligaba Tassaw, Fitawiaii Ashanafi as well as othei captains anu aimy officeis
who seiveu unuei them. The officeis consulteu anu then piesenteu to 0s the
following unanimous opinion:

'Beath is an inheiitance that cannot fail to come to all of us. uou has assigneu to
us the uay, anu if we aie victoiious, then we shall have saveu oui inuepenuence;
anu if we uie, then it will be foi oui countiy, foi oui ueath will be ieckoneu as
maityiuom. It is a gieat goou foitune to uie having stiuggleu with the enemy.
Naking the appioach to battle oveinight, let us meet the enemy at uawn.'

Aftei We hau listeneu to theii speech, We saiu to them: 'Whethei We uie oi live,
it is foi 0ui countiy; all We aie conceineu about is lest 0ui countiy shoulu uie.'
We then infoimeu them that we woulu be maiching towaius the wai fiont to
Ba'tawayo.

We spent the uay of Nagabit 14th (= 2Siu Naich) on that aiiu amba of Bayo
(Aya). 0n this uay the chiefs of Tchaitchai came with iifles anu ammunition
which they hau ieceiveu fiom the Italians anu expiesseu to 0s the following
sentiments of loyalty: 'It is because the Italians hau tolu us "youi king is not
theie" that oui heaits weie uiviueu; but now that we have seen you with oui
own eyes, we shall uie fighting foi oui countiy's fieeuom with the aims we
ieceiveu fiom the enemy.' Anu We waineu them, saying: 'Bo iealize that the lies
which the enemy is telling you aie apt to uestioy you anu youi countiy!'

When it was twelve o'clock (= 6 p.m.) on this uay We uepaiteu fiom the baiien
amba anu, maiching thiough the night, We campeu at the Ba'tawayo cave. This
place is vis-a-vis the Italian encampment.

When We weie at Ba'tawayo on 1Sth Nagabit (= 24th Naich), enemy aiiciaft
spent the uay going to anu fio anu uiopping many bombs. At six o'clock (= 12
noon) a laige aeioplane aiiiveu anu, flying low ovei the place wheie We weie,
uioppeu bombs. Fiom 0ui siue a machine-gun volley was fiieu anu it was hit anu
set on fiie; emitting smoke it fell beyonu the Bubbai pass. The Italian iauio
confiimeu that the plane was buint togethei with its ciew of foui.

We stayeu at Ba'tawayo piepaiing militaiy plans fiom the 16th to the 19th
Nagabit (= 2Sth to 28th Naich). 0n these uays enemy aiiciaft went to anu fio in
gieat numbeis anu uioppeu bombs anu poison gas; eveiy uay, as a iesult of 0ui
soluieis' fiie, these planes weie seen to be buining anu to emit smoke, going
towaius the Tchaitchai lowlanu. 0n 19th Nagabit in paiticulai one of the
aiiciaft that hau come ovei was hit by an 0eilikon gun anu came uown neai
theie; aftei that many aiiciaft aiiiveu uiopping bombs anu poison, anu as a
iesult many people weie killeu anu injuieu.

0n Satuiuay, 19th Nagabit (= 28th Naich), We summoneu the aimy
commanueis anu gave them the following guiue-lines:

'It is necessaiy to be iesolute anu to eschew vengeance even when going to hunt
a wilu beastlet alone foi this piesent uecisive gieat battle against oui enemy.
Young men facing wai, you have seen that uou has conuemneu any iiiesolute
soluiei in the past, foi it is woithless uoing things only on instiuctions anu
oiueis feaiing that uou will conuemn oneiathei than uoing one's uuty whole-
heaiteuly.

If one flees, not having acteu iesolutely, theie is only ueath. Fight fieicely, lest the
fieeuom of youi countiy of Ethiopia anu its flag shoulu be obliteiateu anu toin to
shieus, foi it is to him who acts uecisively anu intiepiuly that uou extenus his
help. If you bieak the oath, ueath is suiely bounu to occui; uo not uie having
iuineu the honoui of youi soul anu youi bouy.

To claim: "my officei has fleu oi has uieu; I have to caiiy an injuieu bouy" is not
ieally motivateu by compassion foi the injuieu but to fabiicate a iefuge foi his
fiighteneu heait. When an officei uies, is not a soluiei who has been fighting
biavely to become an officei.

If uou favouis us, uo not hasten to quaiiel ovei piopeity, foi Ethiopia's existence
is oui piopeity anu wealth. If you finu a foieignei, a wounueu piisonei, uo not
finish him off with the uaggei, pistol oi explosives in his hanu, except if he tiies
to haim you, foi having him as a piisonei may help us to finu out the enemy's
seciets.

If a seivant gets sepaiateu fiom his mastei, tioops fiom theii commanuei, this
means the beginning of flight, so iecognize it as the enemy of myself anu of
Ethiopia.'

Anxious that no haim shoulu befall the iest of 0ui aimy foi lack of piecautions,
We tiansmitteu to them the oiueis set out heie below anu uiviueu into eight
paiagiaphs:

'(1) It is at 2 o'clock in the evening (= 8 p.m.) that you aie to uepait fiom youi
camp to the place to which you have been oiueieu.

(2) When you maich at night to go to the battle fiont, you aie to follow the
way which youi officei will show you, but you must not shout to youi fiienu anu
sing wai songs, shine a light oi blow a tiumpet. The ieason foi this is that, if the
enemy weie to heai youi voice, he woulu haim you by waiting foi you in a state
of piepaieuness; but if you weie to launch an unexpecteu attack upon him,
befoie he heais oi knows about it, oui enemy woulu be gieatly huit.

(S) Take caie lest oui enemy, appeaiing to be fleeing, shoulu inuuce you to
entei in the miust of his fiie wheie his machine-guns aie positioneu on all siues.
While waiy of the enemy's iuses anu befoie you pull back, fall upon youi enemy,
leaving him when he tiies to leau you on anu going to his flank.

(4) We have to be ueuicateu to uestioying completely the enemy who has
now invaueu us, as he has set out to extinguish altogethei Ethiopia anu hei
people. By killing just one man befoie the battle enus anu going back exhibiting
him as a wai tiophy

befoie the enemy's uefeat is known, is bounu to hampei oui wai effoit; foi if you
ietuin anu say "foi me alone things have gone well", you aie leaving youi fiienu
on his own anu exposing him to enemy attack; thus the tiophy will not be
counteu in youi favoui if you ietuin in the moining claiming that you have been
successful.

(S) Since foi the Ethiopian people the chief possession is fieeuom, uo not
hasten to pillage things befoie you have uefeateu anu put to flight the invauing
enemy who has come to uestioy that fieeuom anu befoie you have causeu him to
abanuon his position. If you plunuei him anu he then takes it back, what benefit
will you have ueiiveu. A man who takes away the enemy's piopeity, in oiuei to
ensuie foi himself the peimanence of the possessions he has taken, has fiist of
all to uestioy the enemy to pievent him ietuining anu snatching things back.

(6) Baving spent the uay fighting anu if, peihaps, on one occasion you uiu not
manage to win because the enemy has been too stiong foi you, you have to fight
fieicely until We senu you suppoit tioops; but you aie not to tuin back until you
aie tolu to withuiaw.

(7) A iocket signal will be given on Auimoshash to inuicate "open fiie!"

(8) Especially when men of iank aie founu, they aie to be taken piisoneis
to the extent that it is possible foi you, since it is thiough the eviuence of
piisoneis that the enemy's seciets anu stiength aie founu outexcept, of
couise, if the enemy thieatens

you with pistol, hanu-gienaue oi uaggei.

19th Nagabit 1928 (= 28th Naich 19S6).'

Afteiwaius We uiviueu the stiategic oiuei, by which we weie going into battle,
into foui gioups anu, auuing the tioops collecteu fiom vaiious offices, We
aiiangeu that one gioup be uiiectly commanueu anu leu by 0uiselves anu that
the iemaining thiee gioups be leu by thiee commanueis, i.e. by B.B. Ras Kassa,
by B.B. Ras Seyum, anu by Ras uetatchaw. The pait commanueu anu leu by
0uiselves uiiect was uiviueu as follows:

At the fiont, the coips of the guaiu of honoui unuei Qagnazmatch Nakuiiya Bant
Yeigu anu his ueputy uiazmatch Kefle Eigatu.

0n the left, the coips of the guaiu of honoui unuei uiazmatch Abaia uezaw.

0n the iight, the coips of palace seivants anu footmen unuei Qagnazmatch Balhu
Baggafu.

At the ieai, the coips of palace guaius unuei Bejazmatch Auafeisaw.

We uiiecteu them to be placeu in battle position.

The thiee gioups leu by theii iespective commanueis weie uiviueu as follows:

0N TBE CENTRE FR0NT

We uiviueu in the following mannei the men musteieu on the cential fiont unuei
the commanu of B.B. Ras Kassa Baylu:

Ras Kabbaua Nangasha with his men.

The Nahal Safaii coips commanueu by Ligaba Tassaw Walalu.

The aimy of the Ninistiy of the Palace commanueu by Fitawiaii Ashanafi.

The aimy of Baso anu uola commanueu by Bejazmatch uezaw }imma.

The aimy of the Ninistiy of Agiicultuie.

Bejazmatch Abaia Taula (attacheu as uiiection guiue, since he was a native of the
uistiict anu goveinoi of Naytchaw).

0N TBE RIuBT WINu

We uiviueu in the following mannei the men musteieu on the iight-wing fiont
unuei the commanu of B.B. Ras Seyum Nangasha:

The coips of Schneiuei iifle caiiieis.

The aimy of Wallaga Aijo anu of Wallaga uuuiu.

The cavaliy.

The contingent of Liqa Nakwas Bayla Naiyam Walua uabi'el.

The aitilleiy coips commanueu by Qagnazmatch Walua Yohannes Walua Ab.

Fitawiaii Tafaii Taula (attacheu as uiiection guiue, since he was a native of the
uistiict).

0N TBE LEFT WINu

We uiviueu in the following mannei the men musteieu on the left-wing fiont
unuei the commanu of Ras uetatchaw Abata:

The aimy of Kambata.

The aimy of the tieasuiy anu stoies.

The aimy of the Ninistiy of Finance.

The aimy of the Post anu Telephone Ninistiy commanueu by Qagnazmatch
Takla Naiqos Walua uabi'el.

The excellent iifle beaieis commanueu by Qagnazmatch Ababa Raue.

The aimy of the Nastei of the Boise commanueu by Qagnazmatch Bayyana
Balaynah.

Bejazmatch Baylu Kabbaua (attacheu as uiiection guiue).

0thei than these, the spiiitual fatheis who hau followeu 0s to help with piayei
anu supplication: Abuna Petios, bishop of Wallo, Etchage uabia uiyoigis, Liqe
uabia Kiestos anu Liqa Liqawent uabia Ab; We aiiangeu that they be musteieu,
togethei with theii ietinue of piiests, with the gioup wheie We weie. Among
piinces anu nobles the following weie assigneu to be close to 0s foi consultation
anu the tiansaction of essential majoi affaiis: B.B. Ras Kassa Baylu, B.B. Ras
Seyum, Fitawiaii Beiiu Walua uabi'el, Bejazmatch Wanuiiau, Bejazmatch Wanu
Bawassan Kassa, Bejazmatch Abaia Kassa, anu Ato Walua uiyoigis Walua
Yohannes.

Aftei We hau aiiangeu that the oiganization of the battle oiuei anu the stiategy
of appioach be conuucteu in this mannei, a sign was given to 0ui aimy that
woulu seive to uistinguish oui siue fiom the enemy foices uuiing the battle anu
in the couise of communications.

The pass-woiu was that, when someone saiu 'to whom uo you belong', the
peison questioneu was to ieply to him: 'To Abba Taqel'. If he askeu him 'What
uoes Taqel mean.', he coulu not be tiusteu to be in my aimy. Be was to say 'The
powei is uou's'. If the peison questioneu ieplieu to him with this pass-woiu, he
coulu believe him to be of oui siue. But if it was impossible foi him to ieply thus,
then he woulu know that he belongeu to the enemy aimy anu he was to iegaiu
him with hostility.

Besiues We issueu a piecautionaiy passwoiu to the guaiu officeis who hau been
oiueieu to look aftei the aims anu ammunition, equipment anu piopeity which
iemaineu in the Ba'tawayo cave: 'If peichance 0ui aimy shoulu be uefeateu,
have the aims anu equipment set on fiie, lest they shoulu fall into enemy hanus,
as soon as We senu you the sign.' This message is '0ui uou has not uepaiteu
fiom us.'

Chaptei 4S - The battle of Naytchaw

WBILE We weie at the Ba'tawayo camp, on Sunuay, 2uth Nagabit 1928 (= 29th
Naich 19S6), enemy aiiciaft, coming anu going continuously, spent the uay
uiopping bombs anu poison gas. We gave oiueis foi the battle to begin on the
next uay, Nonuay, anu We set out fiom Ba'tawayo on Sunuay at eleven o'clock (=
S p.m.) to appioach moie closely to the place of the engagement; We spent the
night at Nahan. 0n Nonuay, 21st Nagabit (= Suth Naich), as the aimy which hau
been gioupeu into its vaiious contingents was not yet fully assembleu, the
joining of battle coulu not take place on the Nonuay anu We aiiangeu spenuing
the uay at Nahan. At this place theie was no cave auequate foi piotection against
attacks fiom the aii. When they tolu 0s, having founu a small cave, that We
shoulu go theie anu that the cave was insufficient foi the whole aimy, I saiu to
them: 'I won't go theie leaving my people, foi, just as I have shaieu joy with my
people, so I shall insepaiably shaie its tiibulations.' So I iemaineu theie.

We hau ueteimineu that the battle be wageu on Tuesuay, 22nu Nagabit (= S1st
Naich); on the pieceuing uay, on the basis of the piepaieu plan, We hau given
oiueis that the musteieu ianks in theii vaiious contingents shoulu maich that
night anu get close to the battle aiea anu that the fighting shoulu stait at uawn.
When the aimy, in its iespective uivisions, maicheu off in accoiuance with its
oiueis anu ieacheu its uestination close to the fiont, it spent the night theie. We
0uiselves set out fiom Nahan at ten o'clock at night (= 4 a.m.) anu maicheu
towaius the battle fielu.

0ui auvance tioops weie maiching in the houis of uaikness with the intention of
appioaching the enemy's foitifieu positions; when the enemy's night patiols
sounueu the noise of fiie in oiuei to wake up theii siue, 0ui aimy, while still on
the maich, began shooting in the uiiection in which the sounu of fiiing hau been
heaiu. They thus staiteu shooting at a place calleu Nahan in the Naytchaw aiea,
wheie the Italian soluieis weie fiimly entiencheu in foitifieu positions, anu since
the fighting hau been openeu by an acciuental shot piioi to the plan which We
hau ueviseu, We gave oiueis foi the iegulai battle to be begun, anu so the
fighting staiteu to uevelop.

As 0ui aimy moveu foiwaiu with enthusiasm anu ieacheu the enemy's
foitifications, the enemy tioops abanuoneu the foiwaiu positions anu weie seen
to uefenu a seconu moie heavily foitifieu line towaius the ieai.

Within foui oi five houis enemy aiiciaft aiiiveu, uioppeu bombs, anu cut off 0ui
aimy at the ieai pieventing it fiom coming to the aiu of the auvance tioops at the
fiont. At this time the enemy aimy was iecoveiing once again anu began fighting
haiu to ie-entei the stiongholus which it hau abanuoneu.

0ui foices spent the whole uay fighting with an aiuent spiiit anu with uaiing.
The battle uiu not cease until five o'clock at night (= 11 p.m.). In this uay's
fighting many nobles anu aimy officeis uieu saciificing theii life foi theii
countiy.

While We 0uiselves weie in this kinu of stiuggle anu as it became evening, We
ietuineu to Nahan wheie We hau spent the night yesteiuay. Since 0ui aimy hau
gieatly suffeieu in the fighting, most of them maicheu that night to Ba'tawayo
anu iesteu theie. Some tioops spent the night neai the enemy's foitifieu lines
anu kept up a iunning fiie thioughout the night.

Weunesuay, 2Siu Nagabit (= 1st Apiil), We spent the uay at Nahan anu gave
oiueis foi the wounueu to be caiiieu in anu the ueau to be buiieu. Some of the
tioops, theii aiuoui having been aiouseu, went to the enemy tienches anu spent
the uay fighting theie.



The uay of Thuisuay, 24th Nagabit (= 2nu Apiil), We again spent at Nahan.
When on this uay We infoimeu the aimy officeis of 0ui intention of having the
battle ieneweu, all those who hau assesseu the situation iemaikeu to 0s as
follows: 'Since oui aimy maicheu fiom Tuesuay evening till touay to the
Ba'tawayo camp, we aie now veiy few who aie piesent heie; we uo not have
enough tioops foi a battle. The place wheie we aie now is a uangeious one,
because theie is nothing at all heie that iepiesents piotective covei against
aeioplanes. Foi this ieason we went to Ba'tawayo; it woulu be bettei if we
fought, once we hau ieassembleu anu ie-mobilizeu the aimy.' We ieplieu to
them: 'If we pull out oui footholu fiom heie, the ienewal of the battle will not
take place; hence it is piefeiable foi us heie to fight.'

At this time B.B. Ras Kassa anu B.B. Ras Seyum weie uneasy at 0ui uecision anu
saiu: 'To fight befoie theie aie sufficient tioops foi the battle means uying anu
peiishing in vain.' Since they peisuaueu 0s by uetailing all the ieasons, We left
foi Ba'tawayo at six o'clock at night (= miunight) following the counsel which the
aimy officeis hau pioffeieu to 0s.

We spent the uay of Fiiuay, 2Sth Nagabit (= Siu Apiil), at the Ba'tawayo cave.
While We weie theie, it was leaint that the Italians hau ie-occupieu the foitifieu
positions which they hau abanuoneu last Tuesuay. In consequence of this We
uiiecteu that an aimy contingent guaiuing the mountain passes be stationeu at
the places saiu to be suitable foi uefenuing the suiiounuings of Ba'tawayo, so as
to enable us to iesist the invauing enemy, We then pioceeueu to uevise militaiy
plans foi the futuie in consultation with the aimy commanueis.

The places iefeiieu to aie the othei mountain passes at the cential camp of
Ba'tawayo wheie We weie, anu the following aie the aimy commanueis who
weie oiueieu theie foi guaiu uuty:

(1) Bejazmatch Baylu Kabbaua, with the aimy of Saqota, to be stationeu at
the pass between the Bokia anu Nahan mountains;

(2) Ras uetatchaw at the thiee passes which aie situateu between the
mountain baiiiei of Bayo anu Aubamazu;

(S) Fiom the cave at the ieai of the mountain baiiiei of Bayo up to Nahan:
Ras Kabbaua Nangasha;

(4) It was aiiangeu that the contingent of the Palace Ninistiy shoulu be
encampeu at the mountain pass neai Bayo Nika'el.

Befoie the aimy officeis whom We hau uetaileu to guaiu uuties at the passes
coulu ieach the places anu occupy the passes, the enemy aimy hau come out
fiom its tienches anu was seen to entei Nahan wheie We hau iesteu on the
pievious uay. The place calleu Nahan is neai to Ba'tawayo wheie We now weie.

We hau obseiveu the initial stages of the enemy's maich anu, since he hau
emeigeu fiom his foitifieu positions, it seemeu possible to engage him on the
plains, paiticulaily as it was bounu to be the beginning of a maich towaius us.
We theiefoie tiansmitteu oiueis to the vaiious commanueis: 'take up positions
foi immeuiate iunning fiie, in oiuei to fight fiom those positions'. As the enemy
aiiciaft weie going to anu fio, they hit oui camp uninteiiupteuly, anu We
0uiselves not excepteu weie iesisting by fiiing the 0eilikon.

The enemy aimy which hau enteieu Nahan hau abanuoneu an engagement on
the plains oi an auvance towaius us anu was engageu in constiucting
foitifications theie; then, fiiing its guns, it began to hit 0ui soluieis' camp with
long-iange aitilleiy. At this time 0ui tioops weie feu up, as they hau suffeieu
much injuiy fiom the bombs anu poison gas which the aiiciaft above weie
iaining upon them as well as fiom the fiiing of guns below; thus the aimy began
to uissolve anu tuineu iounu to maich towaius Koiam.

Because in this mannei 0ui entiie plan which We hau conceiveu to fight at
Ba'tawayo hau come to giief, the nobles anu aimy commanueis appioacheu 0s
anu pioffeieu to 0s the following opinion: 'It woulu be bettei if we fought at
Ashange aftei ietuining to Koiam anu assembling the aimy theie. If we fail to
succeeu theie, it woulu be piefeiable if we fought taking up position in Lasta, in
Yajju, oi in Wallo.' Aftei this We uesiieu that all the aimy commanueis shoulu
assemble anu ieflect about this; all of them, theiefoie, congiegateu in fiont of 0s
anu expiesseu theii counsel in uetail. They assuieu 0s on oath that the auvice
which they hau offeieu spiang fiom a tiue conscience.

We cautioneu them in these teims: 'Since man is uou's tool anu, lest I shoulu say
that what you have tolu me is fiauuulent, you have assuieu me on oath that it is
absolutely fiim, I shall theiefoie go as fai as Alamata; but piay to uou anu, while
suppiessing mutual iivaliy, ieflect on oui sins, aiouse youi seivants anu youi
ietinue anu think what it is that you aie uying foi iathei than being conceineu
ovei living.'

Aftei this We uiiecteu that the piovisions anu aims which weie at Ba'tawayo
shoulu be uistiibuteu to the aimy officeis anu We gave oiueis that the iemaining
weapons anu supplies shoulu be set on fiie lest they be of seivice to the enemy;
We then uepaiteu foi Koiam at S.Su o'clock at night (= 9.Su p.m.).

When We ieacheu Ashange in the moining of Satuiuay, 26th Nagabit (= 4th
Apiil), enemy aeioplanes came in gieat numbeis anu hit with bombs 0ui aimy
maiching at Ashange. We 0uiselves left Lake Ashange on the left anu spent the
uay neai Ashange Naiyam which is in the uiiection towaius the iight; anu that
evening We maicheu on anu spent the night at Enua Agafaii.

Sunuay, the 27th Nagabit (= Sth Apiil) We stayeu the uay at Enua Agafaii. 0n
this uay the Italians hau sent the aimy which they hau at Qoibata, uown in the
Tchaitchai lowlanus, in oiuei to enciicle the Ashange iegion wheie We hau
spent the night; We hau heaiu that theii aimy, ieaching Koiam anu Alamata
befoie 0uis, hau occupieu the place. 0ui aimy which was maiching along theie
suffeieu heavy losses as it was hit by Italian aeioplanes anu by woithless
countiy-folk launching attacks upon it. Those who suiviveu scatteieu anu
pioceeueu by way of Lasta; it became thus impossible foi 0s to caiiy out 0ui
plan to fight.

Chaptei 46 - 0ui ietuin to Auuis Ababa

00R aimy, which hau auviseu that we shoulu fight at Koiam anu hau taken an
oath to this effect, was beginning to uispeise claiming they hau been tolu to go on
the ioau to Lasta; they pioceeueu on theii maich with mutual ieciiminations.

The chiefs who hau iemaineu with 0s obseiveu the conuition of the aimy anu
iemaikeu to 0s that it woulu be bettei to ietieat to the aiea behinu us anu to
fight in Lasta oi Yajju. Bowevei, as We weie convinceu that it was not a useful
enteipiise to uo things on 0ui own without an aimy, We uepaiteu fiom Euua
Agafaii on Sunuay, 27th Nagabit(= Sth Apiil 19S6), at 12 o'clock(= 6p.m.),
maicheu thiough that night anu then iesteu at Lat uiyoigis at a cave calleu
uuieza.

We spent the uay of Nonuay, 28th Nagabit (= 6th Apiil), at Lat uiyoigis anu then
maicheu at 12 o'clock (= 6 p.m.) to uuia Naiyam; theie we iemaineu uuiing the
uay of 29th Nagabit (= 7th Apiil) anu uepaiteu at 11 o'clock (= S p.m.) iesting at
Naiawa at a place calleu Naiyam Nahuai. 0n Weunesuay, Suth Nagabit (= 8th
Apiil), We stayeu at Nahuai uuiing the uay anu left foi Azazge at 1u o'clock (= 4
p.m.). Theie we iemaineu a little anu at 6.Su (= 12.Su) we continueu the maich,
ieacheu Lasta ueiaietch anu iesteu theie.

0n Satuiuay, Siu Niyazya (= 11th Apiil), We ciosseu the Takazze, anu when we
hau aiiiveu at Telasfaiie Sellasse" We spent the night at chuich to celebiate the
festival of the Resuiiection (Eastei).

0n Sunuay, 4th Niyazya (= 12th Apiil), We spent the uay at Telasfaiie Sellasse
on account of the Eastei festival anu also iemaineu theie oveinight. As piioi to
this uay the aimy, which was on the move, hau maicheu onwaius, a jouiney of
thiee oi foui uays, We tiansmitteu the following oiuei with the intention that no
haim shoulu befall eithei those who hau gone aheau oi those who hau iemaineu
behinu:

'Nay it ieach you officeis anu tioops who have auvanceu aheau: the fact that you
have gone aheau anu got sepaiateu fiom 0s has causeu haim anu, theiefoie, as
soon as this message ieaches you, you aie to stop anu wait at the vaiious places
at which you aie encampeu. If, howevei, you pioceeu fuithei aftei this oiuei has
ieacheu you, you will be in the position of enemies towaius me anu my
goveinment.'

Aftei this message hau been ieceiveu, Ras uetatchaw anu Ligaba Tassaw stoppeu
anu waiteu in a uistiict calleu uemwasha, but othei chiefs anu tioops, having
gone aheau, lost many men when the countiy people attackeu them.

0n Sth Niyazya (= 1Sth Apiil), at nine o'clock (= S o'clock), We set out fiom
Telasfaiie Sellasse anu maicheu to the chuiches at holy Lalibala. Among the
gieat notables in 0ui ietinue weie Abuna Petios anu Etchage uabia uiyoigis,
B.B. Ras Kassa Baylu, Bejazmatch Wanu Bawassan Kassa, Bejazmatch Abaia
Kassa, Bejazmatch Walua Ammanu'el Bawwas, anu Bejazmatch Auafeisaw
Yenauu.

0n this uay, at foui o'clock in the evening (= 1u p.m.), We ieacheu Lalibala anu
stayeu the night in the house of B.B. Ras Kassa. At ten o'clock uuiing the night (=
4 a.m.) We went to Beta Naiyam Chuich anu hau mass celebiateu theie.

0n Tuesuay, 6th Niyazya (= 14th Apiil), We touieu anu visiteu all the chuiches
of holy Lalibala. 0n this uay the Ameiican missionaiies who weie at Lalibala
ieceiveu 0s anu offeieu 0s hospitality. Subsequently We went out to visit
Ashatan Naiyam; latei We ietuineu anu again spent the night in Ras Kassa's
house.

0n 7th Niyazya (= 1Sth Apiil), at eight o'clock at night (= 2 a.m.), We uepaiteu
anu began 0ui maich; in the moining We paiu homage fiom afai to the Chuich of
Boly Na'akweto La'ab anu then passeu on to uannata' Naiyam. When We aiiiveu
theie, the piiests of uannata Naiyam saiu the nesebho piayei (the Nagnificat)
anu ieceiveu 0s with songs. Subsequently We ietuineu to Telasfaiie, anu
aiiiving theie at six o'clock = noon) We spent the night theie.

As We hau pieviously heaiu of some clashes occuiiing between the aimy on the
maich anu the countiy people, We issueu the following pioclamation, so that
tioops as well as peasants shoulu stop the quaiiel amongst themselves anu
concentiate only on iesisting the enemy.

PR0CLANATI0N

'The Lion of }uuah has pievaileu.

Baile Selassie I

Elect of uou

King of Kings of Ethiopia.

Nen of my countiy of Ethiopia: While We aie stationeu at one place only,
togethei with 0ui aimy, oui enemy has come upon us not only on one siue but
uistiibuteu ovei some eight uiiections. The fighting anu mutual enmity between
peasants anu soluieis has become a souice of gieat haim to 0ui countiy anu to
0ui people. As 0ui attackei has been stiiving to uestioy Ethiopia's
inuepenuence, setting fiie to chuiches, upiooting inheiiteu lanu, anu uebasing
oui ieligion, We have sent an aimy to Tambien anu Naqalle, anu We 0uiselves
have been toiling, enteiing into the slaughtei to the extent that uou has enableu
0s. But because it is only by fighting foi many uays that we shall be able to
iepulse oui enemy's might anu because We have become convinceu that by
staying in one place foi a long time soluieis anu peasants get into mutually
hostile positions anu fights, on account of looting, which aie injuiious to 0ui
people, We aie now maiching towaius Shoa to wage the gieat battle in a
piovince in which theie aie ample supplies.

Bo not believe it to be the tiuth when the enemy who has now invaueu us
uistiibutes to you some pamphlets making his message appeai agieeable. You
have heaiu with youi own eai anu seen with youi own eye the violence anu
iniquity he is now committing even upon oui chuiches, piiests, monks, anu
women. As he has come against us ueteimineu to extinguish oui uescenuants
anu to pass oui inheiitance to his son, it is well known how even a thoin, let
alone a human being enuoweu with intelligence, can cause tiouble by huiting
him who stumbles upon it at its habitat. So when he enteis youi lanu, attack him
who camps oi maiches upon it with all the means at youi commanu; go about
youi lanu anu fight wheievei you aie, lest youi countiy anu youi lanu be
violateu. But if it causes you uifficulty to woik while iemaining on youi lanu,
then come to wheie We aie anu We shall give you youi livelihoou foi youiself
anu youi uepenuants; so fight in company with 0s foi youi countiy, youi
inheiiteu lanu, anu foi youi ieligion. Since oui enemy has iisen up to extinguish
Ethiopia's futuie geneiation, whethei iich oi pooi, he assembles the people, in
whichevei uistiict he enteis, only to exteiminate them with machine-guns; you
will be convinceu of this if you ask what happeneu in Tambien anu Auwa. Even
the gentiy who submitteu to his commanu he aiiesteu anu caiiieu away, without
any wionguoing whatevei being founu against them. Theiefoie, whethei you
fight oi uo not fight, ueath is bounu to come to you. That I tell you this is not to
my auvantage oi to ueceive you; it is in fact foi youi own benefit. As I know foi
suie that afteiwaius theie will catch up with you contiition that cannot be
foigotten anu loss that cannot be maue goou, believe what I tell you without
uoubting it, foi I have maue uou the witness that I make known to you that
which I know myself.

Sth Niyazya 1928 (= 1Sth Apiil 19S6), wiitten at Telasfai'ie in Lasta.'

Subsequently We tiansmitteu the following wiitten oiueis, in paiticulai to the
aimy maiching with 0s:

'As it is necessaiy to obseive caution on the jouiney hencefoith, I shall appoint
an officei foi you who have none, so maich without getting sepaiateu fiom him;
you who have an officei, see that you aie not sepaiateu fiom him uuiing the
maich. 0n the maich, two-thiius shoulu join the escoits; one-thiiu to join the
camp followeis. When you aie on the maich, keep youi baggage in the centie;
you aie to maich without leaving youi path, taking gieat caie anu being in fiont
anu at the ieai, left anu iight. If you iemain behinu the ieaiguaiu oi if you pass
aheau of the Fitawiaii, you will be punisheu. If you aie the commanuei of a
maiching column, obtain youi papeis in tuin anu pioceeu obseiving the oiuei
you have been assigneu, without auvancing aheau oi stiaying behinu.
Ammunition is foi you to fight with anu is not foi you to use foi maiketing; hence
uo not sell it.

Sth Niyazya 1928 (= 1Sth Apiil 19S6) wiitten at Telasfaiie.'

Since 0ui aimy hau tuineu back in uisaiiay, it was cleaily a useless mattei foi 0s
alone to caiiy on the woik togethei with a few of 0ui men. The plan which We
hau conceiveu, i.e. of going aheau to Yajju, taking up position theie anu to fight,
hau iemaineu unfulfilleu. Similaily, all the places which We hau intenueu to be
useu foi fighting hau been occupieu by the enemy who hau got theie fiist, anu
theiefoie We hau to maich being conuucteu along uiiections anu ioutes which
We hau not intenueu to take. In the uistiicts which We hau to tiaveise We
ceitainly encounteieu things which weie tioublesome foi 0ui convoy.

The uistiicts thiough which We passeu on 0ui way fiom Naytchaw to Auuis
Ababa weie: Saqota, Lasta, Waula, Balanta, Waiiahimanu, Tanta, Ali Bet, Abbay
Bet, Lagamba, Lagahiua, }amma, Niua, Naihabete, Sallale, anu Fitche.

We passeu all these anu enteieu Auuis Ababa at thiee o'clock (= 9 a.m.) on
Thuisuay, 22nu Niyazya 1928 (= Suth Apiil 19S6).

Chaptei 47 - The uecision, on auvice, to go abioau

0N Thuisuay, 22nu Niyazya (= Suth Apiil), aftei We hau ie-enteieu 0ui capital
city, Auuis Ababa, the ministeis anu nobles anu all the gieat men assembleu in
0ui palace, anu an impoitant council was helu. At the council it was ueciueu, on
the basis of auvice pioffeieu, that it woulu be well foi the Empeioi to go to
Euiope anu to infoim the League of Nations, by his own voice, of all the violence
Italy hau peipetiateu against us. Bence it was only necessaiy foi 0s to choose
one of two couises of action anu to take a uecision.

The fiist was to cease fighting anu to go to ueneva to aleit the League of Nations,
as hau been iesolveu by the council; the seconu was to go on fighting with the
few soluieis available in the city, iiiespective of the ueath of the ageu anu of
women anu chiluien oi inueeu of the buining of the capital.

While We weie still ponueiing this uifficult thought, the news that ieacheu 0s
houily was to the effect that the Italians weie to set the city on fiie with bombs,
taking the Empeioi's ie-entiy into Auuis Ababa as a pietext.

Fuitheimoie, lest We shoulu fail to believe that the Italians woulu uestioy the
city of Auuis Ababa with bombs, it ought to be mentioneu that We hau heaiu that
they hau hit with bombs the town of Baiai, in which theie was no aimy anu no
uefence equipment, anu that they hau causeu much uamage to Nons. Anuieas
}aiosseau who liveu gieatly honouieu within the walleu city.

As it was in this city of Baiai that We hau spent most of 0ui time since 0ui
chiluhoou, the fact of its being hit by bombs anu set on fiie sauueneu 0ui heait
veiy specially. Bence We weie convinceu that theie was nothing at all that woulu
pievent an enemy who hau set the city of Baiai on fiie uoing the same to Auuis
Ababa. Noieovei, meaning to make quite suie about this, they hau uioppeu fiom
aeioplanes piinteu pionouncements, togethei with black flags, that they woulu
uestioy the city. In paiticulai, when We weie contemplating fighting at Auuis
Ababa, theie appeaieu, uepicteu befoie 0ui eyes, 0ui soluieis on the noithein
fiont, numbeiing many thousanus, who weie giievously injuieu anu weie uying,
buint by poison gas on the mountains anu in the plains; anu in auuition theie
was the suffeiing of the countiy people, women anu chiluien, who hau peiisheu
being buint with poison gas; it was thus an extiemely haiu thing foi 0s to ueciue
whethei on 0ui account an attack of similaily giievous affliction woulu be maue
on Auuis Ababa. The men who attenueu the council loveu theii countiy anu weie
loyal to 0s anu thus spoke to 0s as follows: 'We now know that we aie unable to
win fighting with the Italians eithei at Auuis Ababa oi outsiue. Foi what puipose
uo we exteiminate oui peaceful people anu have its capital buint by bombs.
Bence, as pieviously planneu, let the goveinment move to uoie anu let
Bitwauuau Walua Tsaueq stay theie acting as Regent. But it woulu be bettei if
the Empeioi, accompanieu by the necessaiy assistants, piesenteu his appeal.'
Since they hau iesolveu thus, We accepteu theii auvice.

We subsequently issueu oiueis that Bitwauuau Walua Tsaueq shoulu conuuct all
goveinment business fiom uoie. We also gave instiuctions that the Kantiba, in
commanu of the municipal guaius, shoulu have secuiity safeguaiueu; anu when
the Italians ieacheu the outskiits of Auuis Ababa, he was to ieceive them
peacefully with the customaiy white flag.

Afteiwaius We boaiueu the tiain anu went uown to Biie Bawa uuiing the night
of Fiiuay to Satuiuay. When We ieacheu Biie Bawa in the evening of Satuiuay,
24th Niyazya (= 2nu Nay), We heaiu that panic hau bioken out at Auuis Ababa,
that many people hau uieu, that much piopeity hau been looteu, anu that many
houses hau been set on fiie.

As to the cause of the iioting that hau occuiieu, We leaint fiom the newspapeis,
aftei passing thiough }ibuti, that the Italians hau spieau the exceeuingly
shameful anu uespicable falsehoou that it was the uepaiting Empeioi who hau
given instiuctions that the city be set on fiie anu piopeity be looteu. While We
weie thinking only of pieventing the ueath at the hanus of the enemy of those
who weie 0ui people, how coulu We contemplate that by 0ui own auvice they
shoulu exteiminate anu plunuei each othei. Fuitheimoie, if We hau hau such a
thought, how coulu We have gone away leaving to the Italians the new palace
which We hau built at gieat expense without setting it on fiie.

When We set out on this 0ui jouiney, We took uown Ras Baylu as fai as Biie
Bawa; he hau been founu guilty anu was unuei aiiest evei since he hau
attempteu, eailiei on in 1924 (= 19S2), to cieate uniest in Ethiopia by ueceitfully
conspiiing with the enemy who hau now come to uestioy oui inuepenuence;
eviuence hau been given against him anu he was conuemneu to impiisonment
foi life. Although he ueseiveu to uie foi betiaying Ethiopia, his countiy, We
ieleaseu him anu set him fiee, thinking that uou shoulu mete out to him what
was uue foi his betiayal.

Be himself hau confesseu all the wionguoing he hau committeu in the past anu
hau given his woiu on oath to safeguaiu Ethiopia's fieeuom woiking foi it in
futuie to the utmost extent possible; he then ietuineu to Auuis Ababa. We set out
fiom Biie Bawa by tiain anu ieacheu }ibuti on Sunuay, 2Sth Niyazya (= Siu
Nay), at 4.Su in the moining (= 1u.Su a.m.). We shall nevei foiget the welcome of
fiienuship which the goveinoi of the colony, othei Fiench goveinment
authoiities, anu the whole population accoiueu to 0s. It was at uoveinment
Bouse that piepaiations foi iesting hau been maue foi 0s, anu We went theie
togethei with 0ui family.

When at this houi filleu with soiiow We saw the fiienuly ieception given to 0s,
without anything missing, exactly as on seveial pievious occasions when We hau
gone uown to }ibuti, We can only say that 0ui heait was gieatly encouiageu.

Chaptei 48 - Fiom }ibuti to }eiusalem

TBE plan upon which We weie iesolveu when We uepaiteu fiom Auuis Ababa
hau been foi 0s to go to ueneva anu to uiaw the attention of the League of
Nations, with 0ui own voice, to the affliction anu suffeiing biought upon us by
the Italian aggiessoi as well as to seek justice. But We weie conscious of the
neeu, fiist of all, to piepaie foi the Empiess anu 0ui family, anu foi the many
aimy commanueis who hau come out into exile with 0s, a place at which they
coulu stay, anu We theiefoie ueciueu to go to }eiusalem.

Bence, on Niyazya 2Sth (= Siu Nay) the Biitish waiship 'Enteipiise' aiiiveu at
}ibuti, anu the Captain infoimeu 0s that We shoulu piepaie foi embaikation.

The ieason why this waiship hau ieacheu }ibuti so quickly was this: when we
weie fighting with the Italians at Naytchaw, they hau uestioyeu, by aeiial
bombaiument, 0ui iauio anu telephone communications with Auuis Ababa; 0ui
ministeis weie, theiefoie, unable to get in touch with 0s foi about a month, anu
as news fiom 0s was cut off anu they weie in uifficulty ovei it, they
contemplateu senuing the Empiess anu 0ui family to }eiusalem, while they
themselves woulu go to westein Ethiopia anu set up the goveinment at uoie.
They helu conveisations with the Biitish Ninistei at Auuis Ababa with a view to
the Biitish uoveinment senuing a waiship foi the Empiess, anu the Biitish
uoveinment hau alieauy notifieu its willingness to uo so.

Some people, howevei, hau gone so fai as to spieau it about that the ieason why
We weie tiavelling on a Biitish waiship anu hau ueciueu to come to Euiope was
that a fiienuly goveinment hau inteiveneu in the mattei anu hau pioffeieu
auvice to this effect. This is a faiiy-tale which is totally false, anu theie is no tiuth
in it whatevei. The main ieason is simply as We have expounueu it above. Also,
since We weie going to }eiusalem, in a Biitish manuateu teiiitoiy, no-one can
fail to see the piopiiety of tiavelling in a Biitish waiship. Those people who have
expiesseu this iuea may not be cognizant of the natuie of Biitish hospitality.

0n the moiiow, Nonuay 26th Niyazya 1928 (= 4th Nay 19S6), at appioximately
1u o'clock (= 4 p.m.) in the afteinoon, We boaiueu the waiship. }ust befoie the
ship was about to sail, the aimy commanueis who hau continueu iesisting on the
0gauen fiont, i.e. Bejazmatch Nasibu Zamanel, Bejazmatch Babta Nika'el
Yenauu, Bejazmatch Amue Babta Sellasse, Bejazmatch Ababa Bamtaw, anu
Bejazmatch Nakonnen Enualkatchaw, came to 0s to convey a iepoit on what
they hau uone in the past anu to ieceive oiueis on what they weie to uo in
futuie. Aftei submitting theii iepoit anu ieceiving instiuctions foi futuie action,
they took theii leave with gieat soiiow. Latei, howevei, with the exception only
of Bejazmatch Babta Nika'el Yenauu, they weie to come on anothei boat.

As the ship set out on hei voyage, the uoveinment of the colony of Fiench
Somalilanu offeieu 0s a faiewell salute by fiiing guns anu by having aiiciaft fly
close to the ship in which We weie sailing. 0ui heait was toucheu with joy at this
gestuie.

Anothei five Biitish waiships (toipeuo-boats) followeu at a uistance the waiship
in which We weie tiavelling.

When We ieacheu Poit Saiu, aftei passing thiough the Suez Canal, 0ui consul at
Poit Saiu anu some othei Ethiopians weie in a boat with oui gieatly honouieu
tiicoloui flag; as they ioweu theii boat close to the ship, We saw them wipe off
theii teais with theii hanukeichiefs, anu thus that gieat giief of 0uis was
ieawakeneu anu We weie ueeply moveu. Noieovei, the ship was not stopping
theie, anu theie was thus much sauness in all oui heaits at oui passing by
without being able to meet each othei. 0n the fifth uay We ieacheu the poit of
Baifa, anu oui ship anchoieu theie. 0thei Biitish waiships weie positioneu in
foimation theie to await 0ui aiiival.

At a small uistance fiom the ship in which We weie, theie was an Italian boat at
anchoi, calleu the 'Caineio' anu beueckeu with flags. Theie was no uoubt that
they hau uone this with malice, thinking that We woulu be sau at seeing an
Italian vessel now at 0ui aiiival as an exile fiom 0ui own countiy.

As We uisembaikeu, the musical banu of the 'Enteipiise' sounueu the Ethiopian
national anthem. Stepping on to the shoie, We passeu along the musteieu ianks
of the soluieis giving 0s a iespectful welcome; anu heie likewise they playeu the
Ethiopian national anthem. Even the }ews anu Aiabs who hau been quaiielling
amongst themselves foigot theii uispute anu, stanuing togethei, watcheu 0s with
pleasuie anu iespect.

Thence We set out foi }eiusalem anu when We ieacheu the iailway station theie,
the Biitish uoveinment authoiities ieceiveu 0s with honoui. Fiist of all We went
to uolgotha, anu aftei We hau paiu homage at the Tomb of oui Loiu, We went to
the King Baviu Botel.

0n the following uay We went out to 0ui monasteiy calleu Babia uannat. At
}eiusalem theie is an extensive monasteiy which has been fiimly establisheu foi
a long time, anu theie live in it, enteiing into holy asylum, monks anu nuns who
have come fiom Ethiopia having ienounceu the woilu.

Theii joy is gieat, foi they live in this monasteiy conveising in Amhaiic anu
celebiating Nass in ue'ez.

But now when they heaiu of the entiy into Auuis Ababa, 0ui capital city, of oui
aggiessive enemy, anu when they saw 0ui aiiival in a foieign countiy as an exile
fiom 0ui own, anu in paiticulai when We tolu them that in the Italian wai many
chuiches anu many books hau been buint anu that many monks anu piiests,
women anu chiluien as well as the ageu hau peiisheu thiough poison gas anu
bombs, they began buisting into teais.

Latei on, in accoiuance with the plans which We hau maue when uepaiting fiom
Auuis Ababa, We tiansmitteu to the League of Nations at ueneva the following
message, in oiuei to explain the ieason why We hau come heie as an exile fiom
0ui countiy.

To the Secietaiy ueneial of the League of Nations at ueneva.

We woulu iequest you to make known, on 0ui behalf, the following to membei
goveinments:

In leaving foi abioau to stop the total exteimination of the Ethiopian people, We
aie iesolveu to uevote 0uiselves in peace anu in libeity to halting a wai of
aggiession such as has nevei been seen oi heaiu of in mouein times, that is
without paiallel anu is outsiue the chaiactei anu natuie of man. We also wish to
biing about piotection fiom Italian evil ueeus anu the honouiing of inteinational
obligations as a basis of Ethiopia's ancient inuepenuence anu, inueeu, the peace
of the nations of the woilu.

Fiom the beginning We have uone eveiything possible to pievent peace being
uistuibeu. We faithfully uefenueu oui countiy until Italy began to stiike with
poison gas like iain anu until it became obvious that oui iesistance coulu not be
continueu, foi if we uiu iesist the iesult woulu only be the exteimination of the
Ethiopian people.

Anu now We iequest that the League of Nations shoulu not cease the stienuous
effoits to have the covenant honouieu anu that it shoulu not iecognize claims of
soveieignty oi of teiiitoiial expansion thiough impiopei militaiy foice in bieach
of tieaty obligations.

}eiusalem, 11th uenbot 1928 (= 19th Nay 19S6) Baile Selassie I, Empeioi

Chaptei 49 - 0ui jouiney fiom }eiusalem to Lonuon

WE hau iequesteu peimission to go fiom }eiusalem to Lonuon, anu aftei it hau
been gianteu We aiiangeu foi the Empiess anu 0ui family anu the aimy
commanueis who hau come with 0s to stay at }eiusalem. Accompanieu by 0ui
sons, Ciown Piince Naieu-Azmatch Asfa Wassan anu Nakonnen, Buke of Baiai,
anu 0ui uaughtei Tsahay as well as by Ras Kassa, who hau been appointeu by 0s
commanuei of the noithein aimy, We went fiom }eiusalem to Baifa on 1Sth
uenbot (= 2Siu Nay). Theie We embaikeu in the Biitish waiship 'Capetown' anu
saileu to uibialtai.

At uibialtai We tiansfeiieu to a passengei ship of the 0iient line, uisembaikeu
at the Biitish seapoit of Southampton, anu fiom theie tiavelleu by tiain to
Lonuon.

At the iailway station in Lonuon the Biitish public gave 0s a gieat welcome, anu
We then uepaiteu foi the accommouation which hau been piepaieu foi 0s. The
people assembleu theie uemonstiateu to 0s theii paiticipation in 0ui giief, anu
We aumiieu the tenueiness anu kinuness of the Biitish people.

A few uays latei, We went to a meeting at which many people weie assembleu,
anu 0ui uaughtei Tsahay uiu the same at a ciowueu assembly of women: Theie
we laiu baie the acts of ciuelty which Italy hau wiought upon the Chiistian anu
innocent Ethiopian people. When We now expounueu to them in 0ui own woius
the stoiy of oui tiibulations, of which they hau hitheito heaiu thiough news
bulletins only, the Biitish people, who uo not love violence but seek tiue justice,
all manifesteu to 0s theii sympathy in 0ui sauness.

We hau, of couise, infoimeu the League of Nations of the aggiession caiiieu out
by Italy against Ethiopia, anu We hau accepteu the conciliation pioposals which
the League, aftei uue uelibeiation, hau submitteu, while Italy hau peisisteu in
hei iefusal to accept these, hau ciosseu the boiueis anu launcheu hei attack. As
laiu uown in aiticle 16 of the League covenant, sanctions hau been applieu
against Italy, but aftei the sanctions hau continueu foi about ten months, the
mattei was iaiseu in the Biitish pailiament. They uebateu the pioblem foi a
numbei of uays aiguing that, although sanctions hau been applieu against Italy,
the lattei hau meiely gone on intensifying hei aggiessive action against Ethiopia
who hau not obtaineu any benefit fiom those sanctions; it woulu theiefoie be
bettei to stop them iathei than allow them to impeue inteinational tiaue in vain.
Subsequently many on behalf of the people aigueu that as Italy went on
intensifying hei aggiession, it was necessaiy to auu fuithei sanctions. But
whatevei the ciicumstances, goveinment opinion is known to pievail ovei the
people's views, anu We thus leaint of the uecision to uiscontinue sanctions.

Chaptei Su - 0ui jouiney to ueneva in quest of justice fiom the League of Nations

BEF0RE the Walwal attack, anu even aftei it, We hau not abanuoneu 0ui fiim
faith in the League of Nations. Some people who saw this tiieu to instil uoubts
into 0ui heait by aiguing 'if you hau given up, eailiei on, youi faith in the League
of Nations anu hau peisisteu piepaiing foi wai, all this calamity woulu not have
come upon you; the faith which fiom now onwaius you aie ieposing in the
League of Nations will be in vain.' But We weie conscious that it was iight to
have a covenant honouieu even between two inuiviuuals, let alone a covenant of
S2 nations. So We uiu not change 0ui minu up to the last, othei than auheiing
fiimly to 0ui intention not to uiminish 0ui faith in the League. That We hau
come heie aftei leaving 0ui countiy was to explain, in peison, 0ui tiibulations
to the League, in the fiim conviction that the League woulu not fail to give 0s a
faii juugement.

When We weie in Lonuon We leaint that the League hau aiiangeu a meeting foi
}une 26th 19S6 (= 19th Sane 1928) in oiuei to uiscuss the uispute between
Ethiopia anu Italy as well as some othei smallei matteis; We consequently
ueciueu to go to ueneva. When theie weie only some eight uays to go befoie the
appointeu uay, some of 0ui fiienus came anu saiu to 0s: 'It woulu be bettei if
Youi Najesty weie not to go to ueneva; the ieason being, if you youiself went
anu appeaieu befoie the Assembly anu if, aftei youi speech, you faileu to secuie
justice, youi giief woulu be the gieatei; hence it woulu be bettei if you sent
envoys.' 0theis again gave 0s fiienuly auvice to this effect: 'At this time of youi
gieat tioubles, unless you youiself appeaieu befoie the Assembly anu explaineu
in youi own woius any of the matteis conceineu, oi if you meiely sent envoys,
the pioblem woulu not appeai sufficiently giave to the Assembly; hence it woulu
be bettei if you uefinitely attenueu.'

The ieason why We hau left 0ui countiy Ethiopia anu come heie hau not been in
oiuei to senu envoys but to explain in fiont of the League of Nations, 0uiselves
anu in 0ui own woius, the natuie of the aggiession committeu against us. 0n
18th Sane (= 2Sth }une), accompanieu by B.B. Ras Kassa, Bejazmatch Nasibu,
Blattengeta Beiuy, Ato Walua uiyoigis Walua Yohannes, Ato Loienso Ta'ezaz,
anu Ato Efiem Tawalua Nauhen, We set out fiom Lonuon anu went to ueneva by
way of Paiis, aiiiving theie by tiain on the following moining. Subsequently,
2Siu Sane 1928 (= Suth }une 19S6) was the uay fixeu foi 0s to speak 0ui minu
befoie the iepiesentatives of fifty-two nations assembleu theie. When We went
theie on the appointeu uay anu stoou by the lectein, the Italians who hau come
theie foi news iepoiting staiteu to whistle continuously with the intention of
obstiucting 0ui speech anu ienueiing it inauuible. At this moment, the
Rumanian uelegate, N. Titulescu, iemaikeu to the Piesiuent of the Assembly, N.
van Zeelanu: 'Foi the sake of justice, silence these beasts!'

The Piesiuent of the Assembly, seeing the iuue behavioui of the Italians in fiont
of so many inteinational iepiesentatives, oiueieu the guaius to expel the Italians
by foice; they then seizeu them anu ejecteu them.

Aftei this We ieau 0ui speech in Amhaiic, anu it was aiiangeu that it shoulu
immeuiately be tianslateu into Fiench anu English, so that the whole Assembly
coulu unueistanu it. The text was as follows:

Youi Excellency, Ni. Piesiuent, Youi Excellencies, Envoys of the Nations!

I shoulu have likeu to speak to you in Fiench. But as it is in the Amhaiic language
alone that I am able to speak my minu fiom my heait anu with all the foice of my
spiiit, I woulu beg the foigiveness of the ueneial Assembly of the League of
Nations foi not speaking in Fiench.

I, Baile Selassie I, Empeioi of Ethiopia, am piesent heie touay to ask foi the
impaitial justice uue to my people anu foi the help which fifty-two nations hau
unueitaken to extenu to it when they affiimeu, eight months ago, that a wai of
aggiession, in violation of inteinational law, was being wageu against Ethiopia.

Theie is no man othei than the Empeioi to piesent the appeal of the Ethiopian
people to these fifty-two nations.

Peihaps this is the fiist time that a king oi piesiuent appeais befoie this
assembly anu auuiesses it. But it is tiuly only touay that violence of this kinu is
seen being committeu against a people which is now falling victim to the
aggiessoi.

Fuitheimoie, theie has not been seen a pievious example of a goveinment that
has set out to extinguish methouically anu by means of ciuelty, the entiie stock
of anothei people, in tiansgiession of a covenant which it has honouiably anu
publicly enteieu into in foim of a tieaty concluueu with the nations of the woilu,
to wit that one goveinment was not to uepiive anothei of its countiy by means
of wai anu that it was not to exteiminate innocent human beings by poweiful
anu toxic poison gas. The ieason that I, as Empeioi of Ethiopia, have come to
ueneva aftei having fought myself as Commanuei-in-Chief of my aimy is to fulfil
this highest uuty of mine anu to uefenu the Ethiopian people stiuggling to
pieseive its inuepenuence which has enuuieu foi many thousanus of yeais. I
piay to uou that Be may keep the nations of the woilu fiom the toiment that has
been inflicteu upon my people anu fiom the nauseating things of which these
chiefs who have followeu me heie have been witnesses anu which have, inueeu,
happeneu to themselves.

I shall explain in uetail to the iepiesentatives of the nations assembleu in
ueneva, who aie iesponsible foi the lives of many millions of men, women, anu
chiluien, about the moital uangei awaiting these cieatuies anu the fate which
has oveiwhelmeu Ethiopia.

It is not only upon Ethiopian soluieis that the Italian uoveinment has maue wai;
above all, it has stiuck at peaceful people fai iemoveu fiom the battlefielu by
killing them with teiioi iaius anu exteiminating them altogethei.

At the beginning of the wai, in 1928 (= 19SS), Italian aeioplanes launcheu teai-
gas bombs upon my aimies. These bombs uiu not haim them veiy gieatly, as the
soluieis knew, when these bombs weie being uioppeu, how to scattei until the
winu hau uisposeu of the gas.

Aftei this, the Italian aeioplanes began to uiop ypeiite gas. Casks containing
ypeiite fell upon the Ethiopian aimy; but the haim which this ypeiite gas causeu
was not consiueiable. The ieason foi this was that theie weie only a few soluieis
whom the ypeiite liquiu affecteu, anu when the casks fell upon the giounu both
the soluieis anu the population iealizeu that they containeu poison.

When Ethiopian tioops hau enciicleu Naqalle, the Italian aimy Commanuei-in-
Chief hau goou ieason to feel anxiety about the possible uissolution of the Italian
aimy anu, theiefoie, uiiecteu the uiopping of ypeiite in a uiffeient mannei. It is
now my uuty to ieveal this action to the woilu.

A mechanism spiaying ypeiite liquiu was installeu in the aiiciaft, anu it was
aiiangeu that a fine iain biinging ueath shoulu uescenu ovei vast tiacts of
countiy. At one time, nine, fifteen, oi eighteen Italian aeioplanes weie going to
anu fio biinging uown an unceasing iain of ypeiite. Fiom the enu of Tei 1928 (=
late }anuaiy 19S6) onwaius this ueath-uealing iain uescenueu uninteiiupteuly
upon oui soluieis, upon women, chiluien, cattle, stieams, stagnant wateis as
well as pastuies. The Italian aimy commanuei maue the aeioplanes iepeat this
woik of theiis, in oiuei to extinguish completely all living cieatuies anu to tuin
into poison the wateis anu the giazing giounus. Be maue this the piincipal
means of waifaie.

This woik of ciuelty, caiiieu out with some finesse, annihilateu people in places
fai iemoveu fiom the battlefielu anu maue theii countiy into a ueseit. The plan
was to spieau teiioi anu ueath ovei the gieatei pait of Ethiopia.

This most ueploiable scheme was eventually accomplisheu. Nan anu beast
peiisheu completely. The ueauly uownpoui that uescenueu fiom the aiiciaft
maue anyone who toucheu it fly with toiment. Those who uiank the watei upon
which this poisonous iain hau settleu oi ate the foou which the poison hau
toucheu uieu in uieauful agony. The people who uieu as a iesult of the Italian
ypeiite must be ieckoneu in many thousanus. It was to make known to the
civilizeu woilu the toiment inflicteu upon the Ethiopian people that I ueciueu to
come to ueneva.

Theie is none bettei qualifieu than myself anu these men who weie in the wai
with me to pioviue the League of Nations with this inuisputable testimony.

If Euiope ieckons this mattei to be an accomplisheu fact, then it is piopei to
consiuei this fate which awaits it anu which is bounu to come upon it.

The appeal which my envoys piesenteu to the League of Nations when this
whole tiibulation uescenueu upon my aimy anu my people has iemaineu
without obtaining any ieply. Ny envoys have not been in this wai anu, as they
themselves have not witnesseu the afflictions suffeieu by Ethiopia, I have
iesolveu to come myself to uesciibe the ciiminal acts peipetiateu against my
people.

It is not necessaiy, is it, to ieminu the ueneial Assembly of the League of Nations
meeting heie touay of what has happeneu to Ethiopia ovei this peiiou of time.

Foi the past twenty yeais, when woiking fiist as Ciown Piince anu Regent of the
Ethiopian iealm anu latei as Empeioi anu leauei of my people, I have not ceaseu
stiiving to obtain foi my countiy the benefits of mouein civilization anu, in
paiticulai, to establish ielations of goou neighbouiliness with aujacent
goveinments. With Italy especially I concluueu a tieaty of fiienuship in 192u (=
1928) which piohibiteu the iesoit to wai unuei any ciicumstances whatsoevei
anu which pioviueu foi any uispute aiising between the two goveinments to be
settleu amicably anu by aibitiation, a pioceuuie which the civilizeu nations of
the woilu have maue the basis foi the peace of theii peoples.

In the ueclaiation which the Committee of thiiteen goveinments piesenteu on
2Sth Naskaiam 1928 (= 6th 0ctobei 19SS) it tolu me expiessly that it was awaie
of the effoits I hau maue. The text was as follows:

'The nations hau consiueieu that, by hei entiy into the League anu by affoiuing
hei new confiuence that hei teiiitoiial integiity woulu not be impaiieu anu hei
inuepenuence not be uestioyeu, Ethiopia woulu attain a highei level of
civilization than she possesseu now. In piesent-uay Ethiopia theie uoes not
appeai to be the lack of secuiity anu the conuition of lawlessness that coulu still
be seen in 191S (= 192S). In fact, the countiy has become moie uniteu than
befoie, anu the authoiity of the cential goveinment is moie iespecteu than in the
past.'

If the Italian uoveinment hau not cieateu all soits of tioubles foi me by pushing
some men to iaise up ievolts in Ethiopia anu by giving aims to the iebels, the
woik I have been uoing foi my people woulu have been even moie beneficial anu
have shown bettei iesults.

The Rome uoveinmentas inueeu it has now openly aumitteuhas been
piepaiing unceasingly plans to take Ethiopia by means of wai. Thus all the
tieaties with me which it hau signeu weie not sinceie. The fact that it hau signeu
this tieaty of fiienuship in paiticulai was intenueu to seive the puipose of
concealing its ieal plans.

The Italian uoveinment has confiimeu its piepaiations, foi the past fouiteen
yeais, to unueitake what it has now obtaineu by foice. Theiefoie, it is possible to
say that it was uoing things to unueimine the confiuence of the woilu when it
aiueu anu suppoiteu the aumission of Ethiopia to the League of Nations in 191S
(= 192S), when it concluueu the tieaty of fiienuship in 192u (= 1928), anu when
it signeu the Tieaty of Paiis to outlaw wai. The Ethiopian uoveinment, howevei,
believeu to finu in all these tieaties, concluueu with gieat solemnity, fiesh
confiuence that it was possible to accomplish the woik it hau initiateu with all its
heait anu stiength to leau the countiy on a peaceful path towaius civilization.

The Walwal conflict which occuiieu in Beuai 1927 (= Becembei 19S4) was felt
by me like a suuuen flash of lightning uescenueu fiom the sky. But it was obvious
that Italy wisheu this quaiiel to take place. I uiu not uelay infoiming the League
of Nations of this inciuent. I iequesteu, theiefoie, that the mattei be lookeu at
accoiuing to the text laiu uown in the 192u (= 1928) tieaty, on the basis of the
League's iaison u'etie, in accoiu with the aibitiation piovisions, anu all these
vaiious pioceuuies.

But it was Ethiopia's misfoitune that it appeaieu absolutely essential to some
goveinments to obtain Italy's fiienuship by whatevei means on the giounus of
the situation in Euiope. The piice paiu foi the Italian uoveinment's coeicive
uemanus was to hanu ovei Ethiopia's inuepenuence. This secietly contiiveu
agieement, iathei than the obligations into which the nations of the woilu hau
enteieu unuei the League covenant, became an awful buiuen foi all the affaiis of
Ethiopia that aiose at that time. 0n these giounus Ethiopia anu the whole woilu
have expeiienceu gieat uifficulties ovei this calamity; anu to this uay these
pioblems peisist.

This setting asiue of the covenant of the League, then occuiiing foi the fiist time,
has not iemaineu a unique occasion. The Rome uoveinment, feeling ieinfoiceu
in the policy auopteu against Ethiopia, initiateu piepaiations foi wai, just in case
the piessuie that began to be exeiteu upon Ethiopia tuineu out to be insufficient
to inuuce the Ethiopian people to accept Italian iule. Bence it was to Italy's
auvantage to uelay matteis. Things weie uiaggeu out by many kinus of
stiatagems anu in vaiious ways, so that the aibitiatois who hau been chosen foi
conciliation weie unable to stait theii task. All soits of obstacles weie ueviseu to
pievent the woik of the aibitiatois being completeu. Some goveinments sought
to piohibit the selection of aibitiatois fiom among theii nationals. 0nce the
aibitiation pioceuuie hau been set up, the aibitiatois weie subjecteu to
piessuie to biing in a veiuict favouiable to Italy. Bowevei, all this effoit was in
vain. The aibitiatois, two of whom weie Italians, issueu a unanimous juugement
to the effect that neithei in the Walwal inciuent noi in any subsequent one was
theie anything to make Ethiopia iesponsible befoie the comity of nations.

Aftei this veiuict hau been given, the Ethiopian uoveinment was tiuly confiuent
in supposing that this woulu ushei in a new eia of fiienuship with Italy. I
stietcheu out my hanu to the Rome uoveinment in all sinceiity.

The Committee of thiiteen nations infoimeu the ueneial Assembly, in the iepoit
ienueieu at its meeting on 2Sth Naskaiam 1928 (= 6th 0ctobei 19SS), of the
uetails of the entiie stoiy in its vaiious stages, beginning with Beuai 1927 (=
Becembei 19S4) until 2Siu Naskaiam 1928 (= 4th 0ctobei 19SS).

Fiom the conclusions ieacheu in this iepoit I woulu now only ieminu you of the
text in paiagiaphs 24, 2S, anu 26:

It was on 29th Nahase 1927 (= 4th Septembei 19SS) that the Italian
memoianuum was hanueu to the Council. But the Ethiopian memoianuum, its
fiist appeal, is uateu Sth Tahsas 1927 (= 14th Becembei 19S4). Between these
two uates the Italian uoveinment insisteu that the mattei shoulu only be
ueteimineu accoiuing to the woiuing laiu uown in the 192u (= 1928) tieaty
between Ethiopia anu Italy, meaning to pievent the pioblem coming befoie the
Council. Thioughout this time Italian soluieis weie continually being uespatcheu
in the uiiection of East Afiica. The Italian uoveinment, concealing its seciet
intentions, infoimeu the Council that the ieason foi the uespatch of tioops was
that they weie neeueu foi uefence, as the Ethiopian uoveinment, by its militaiy
piepaiations, was causing anxiety to the Italian colonies in that aiea. The
Ethiopian uoveinment iepeateuly uiew attention to the fact that, quite to the
contiaiy, the Italian uoveinment left no uoubt as to theii hostile intentionsas
can inueeu be seen fiom the official speeches ueliveieu in Italy.

Fiom the beginning of the uispute the Ethiopian uoveinment has sought to settle
the mattei by peaceful means. It has iequesteu that the pioblem be lookeu into
unuei the piovisions of the League's covenant. As, howevei, the Italian
uoveinment uesiieu that the mattei be lookeu at only unuei the pioceuuies laiu
uown in the Italo-Ethiopian tieaty of 192u (= 1928), the Ethiopian uoveinment
accepteu this. The lattei also ueclaieu that, even if the aibitiatois faileu to finu in
its favoui, it woulu caiiy out the conuitions of the veiuict with goou-will. When
Italy iemaineu auamant that she woulu not allow the aibitiatois to look into the
question of the owneiship of Walwal, Ethiopia accepteu this as well. The
Ethiopian uoveinment iequesteu the Council to senu to the countiy neutials
who shoulu investigate this mattei; anu it also ueclaieu its piepaieuness to
accept any inquiiy upon which the Council may wish to ueciue. The Italian
uoveinment, on its pait, piesenteu to the Council, once the Walwal pioblem hau
been settleu by aibitiation, a uetaileu memoianuum to iequest the fieeuom to
be able to uo what it pleaseu. It asseiteu that theie was nothing appiopiiate laiu
uown in the League's covenant to settle the whole pioblem conceining Ethiopia.
It fuithei announceu that, since this mattei was of vital inteiest to Italy anu was
a piimaiy iequiiement foi its own secuiity, Italy woulu be neglecting its most
elementaiy uuty, unless it entiiely iemoveu its confiuence fiom Ethiopia anu
obtaineu full fieeuom to caiiy out what was necessaiy to safeguaiu its own
inteiests anu to piotect its colonies.

These then aie the teims of the iepoit which the committee of thiiteen nations
piesenteu. The Council anu the ueneial Assembly announceu uniteuly anu
openly that 'the Italian uoveinment was the aggiessoi anu was in bieach of the
League's covenant'.

I have unceasingly maue it known, time anu time again, that I was not seeking to
wage the wai that was being imposeu upon me. That I was fighting solely to
pievent my people's libeity anu Ethiopia's teiiitoiial integiity being affecteu; I
was auuitionally uefenuing in this wai the cause of all small nations who aie
neighbouis of poweiful states, lest such a neighboui shoulu be able to take theii
countiy by foice.

In the month of Teqemt 1928 (= 0ctobei 19SS) the fifty-two nations who aie
listening to me touay gave me the following piomise: 'The aggiessoi will not
pievail; we shall see that the piovisions of the covenant aie implementeu, so that
a lawful goveinment shall be fiimly suppoiteu anu that the peipetiatoi of foice,
tiansgiessing the law, shall be uestioyeu.'

I woulu ieminu the nations not to foiget this theii policy, foi it is I who have
followeu the policy which the fifty-two nations have puisueu these last eight
months, in which I manifesteu my faith anu upon which I uiiecteu my people to
uefenu themselves against a goveinment that hau been conuemneu of aggiession
by the whole woilu.

Although my wai equipment was so much less than the aggiessoi's anu although
I possesseu no aeioplanes, aitilleiy, othei weapons whatsoevei oi inueeu
hospital seivices foi the wounueu, my hope iesteu upon the covenant of the
League. I thought it impossible that fifty-two nations, among whom weie some of
the mightiest in the woilu, coulu be uefeateu by one sole aggiessoi goveinment.
Reposing my tiust in the efficacy of tieatiesexactly as happeneu to some small
nations in EuiopeI hau maue no piepaiations foi wai. When the uangei
became moie piessing anu the iesponsibility towaius my people iikeu my
conscience, I tiieu to obtain aims thioughout 1928 (= 0ctobei 19SS-Nay 19S6).
Nany goveinments piohibiteu the expoit of aims intenuing to pievent me fiom
obtaining any. The Italian uoveinment, howevei, was able to tianspoit thiough
the Suez Canal weapons, munitions, anu tioops, uninteiiupteuly anu without
anyone stopping them. 0n Naskaiam 2Siu (= 4th 0ctobei) the Italian aimy
invaueu my countiy, anu only a few houis aftei that uiu I issue a pioclamation of
mobilization. In the uesiie to live by maintaining peace, I uiiecteu my tioops to
fall back some Su kilometies fiom the fiontieis, in oiuei not to piovoke a conflict
by whatevei pietextexactly as an impoitant nation hau uone when wai was
about to bieak out at the time of the uieat Wai. Aftei that, wai continueu with
gieat violence, exactly as I have explaineu to the Council.

In this stiuggle of unequal iivaliy between a goveinment which hau at its
uisposal a people of 42 million inhabitants, which was able to obtain all the
necessaiy weapons anu iesouices, anu which possesseu all the technical
knowleuge to make aims of vaiious kinus to extinguish human life anu, on the
othei hanu, a small people of 12 million inhabitants which liveu by tiusting only
impaitial justice anu the covenant of the League of Nations anu which possesseu
neithei aims noi moneyin this unequal wai you youiselves can well assess
that theie has not been any ieal help foi the Ethiopian uoveinment, even aftei
the Rome uoveinment hau been conuemneu of having violateu the League's
covenant anu aftei the nations hau ueclaieu that they woulu iesist the
aggiessoi's tiiumph.

Is it that eveiy single goveinment in the League has consiueieu the wai of
aggiession exactly as if it hau been wageu against itself as an inuiviuual membei,
as the signatuie which it appenueu to aiticle 178 of the League's covenant
iequiieu it to uo.

I hau placeu all my hopes in the uutiful fulfilment of these obligations. Ny hopes
hau obtaineu suppoit fiom the ueclaiations maue in the League that the
aggiessoi woulu not gain a iewaiu anu that foice woulu be uefeateu by the law.

In the month of Tahsas 1928 (= Becembei 19SS) the Council maue it cleaily
known that it shaieu the view of many hunuieus of million people in the whole
woilu who opposeu the plan which hau been piesenteu foi the paitition of
Ethiopia. It has been saiu many times: 'this conflict which has aiisen is not only
the conflict of Ethiopia anu Italy but it is the conflict of the Italian uoveinment
anu the League of Nations.'

This is why I myself, anu my people, ieplieu that I woulu not accept all the
pioposals which (the Italians) hau submitteu to me which weie foi my own
benefit but which woulu unueimine the covenant of the League of Nations. That I
hau auopteu the position of iesistance was auuitionally also foi the cause of the
small nations exposeu to aggiession. Anu wheie have all the piomises of suppoit
that weie given to me got to.

Evei since Tahsas 1928 (= Becembei 19SS) I hau noteu with much uistiess that
thiee goveinments weie iegaiuing as entiiely valueless the obligations unuei
which they hau enteieu into the League covenant. The ielationship which they
hau with Italy maue them unwilling to accept anything to stop the woik of
aggiession which Italy hau unueitaken.

Noieovei, it was the position of some goveinments that maue me veiy uejecteu.
These goveinments, while unceasingly ueclaiing the faith which they ieposeu in
the League of Nations, weie equally unceasingly stiiving to pievent the law of
the League being caiiieu out. Some goveinments, when some sounu pioposal
was tableu that woulu at once aiiest the woik of the aggiessoi, weie causing
uelay with many pietexts, so that the matteis shoulu not come up foi
uiscussionlet alone be caiiieu out. The seciet agieements maue in the month
of Tei 1927 (= eaily }anuaiy 19SS), weie they intenueu to piesage this woik of
obstiuction.

The Ethiopian uoveinment uiu not expect othei goveinments, whose uiiect
inteiests weie not involveu, to sheu theii soluieis' bloou foi the uefence of the
League's covenant. What the waiiiois of Ethiopia uiu expect was meiely the
means they iequiieu foi theii uefence. I hau theiefoie askeu many times to
obtain the funus necessaiy foi the puichase of aims. I was uenieu this assistance.
What then is the explanation of the woiuing of aiticle in the League's covenant
oi, inueeu, of the solemn piomises maue that the nations woulu stanu togethei
anu, by mutual assistance, pievent the extinction of secuiity.

Nany uifficulties have been biought up to pievent the tianspoit of aims
intenueu foi Ethiopia by the }ibutiAuuis Ababa iailway anu, equally, to stop
the entiy by that ioute of equipment, at the iequiieu time, that woulu be of
seivice to the Ethiopian uoveinment. Yet, foi the piesent this is the piincipal
ioute of tianspoitation of supplies anu aims foi the Italian aimy which has
enteieu Ethiopia illicitly. Even the iules of neutiality shoulu piohibit the loauing
of equipment of this kinu to ieach the Italian foices at the places wheie they aie
at piesent. This being so, unuei the woiuing of aiticle of the covenant of the
League of Nations it is impiopei foi the neutiality clauses to be waiveu in this
case, foi all goveinments who aie Leaguemembeis have to suspenu theii
neutiality if one goveinment attacks anothei, as it is incumbent upon them to
offei help, not to the aggiessoi but to the victim of the attack. In this mannei, has
the covenant been obseiveu in the past. Anu is it possible to say that it is being
iespecteu touay.

Now, latteily, some gieat nations who have consiueiable influence in the League
have announceu in theii pailiaments that, since the Italian aggiessoi hau
manageu to seize pait of the Ethiopian teiiitoiy, theie was no neeu now to
continue the pieventive measuies in the financial spheie that hau been set up
against Italy.

This is the position in which the ueneial Assembly of the League finus itself
touay as it meets to examine, at the iequest of the Aigentine uoveinment, the
situation biought about by the Italian aggiessoi.

The issue which is touay befoie the League of Nations' ueneial Assembly is not
meiely to settle what Italy has uone by way of aggiession. I woulu asseit that it is
something that touches upon all goveinments of the woilu. This is a pioblem of
the uuty of goveinments to assist each othei to establish woilu secuiity (what is
calleu collective secuiity); it is a question of the veiy life of the League of
Nations; of the tiust which the nations of the woilu can piopeily iepose in
tieaties they have concluueu; of the value attacheu to piomises which the small
nations have ieceiveu as iegaius the inviolability of theii teiiitoiial integiity anu
inuepenuence, so that these values be iespecteu anu piopeily esteemeu; it is to
assess whethei the piinciple of the equality of nations is to be confiimeu oi
whethei the small states will have to accept subjection to the poweiful ones. In
biief, it is not only Ethiopia that is at stake but the uecent way of life of the
peoples of the woilu who have been thus affecteu anu wiongeu. The signatuies
appenueu to a tieaty, is it that they attain theii value only in so fai as they aie of
use to the signatoiies in the puisuit of theii peisonal, uiiect, anu immeuiate
inteiests.

Subtle compaiisons cannot change the main pioblem oi leau the uiscussion in
anothei uiiection. It is with sinceiity of heait that I submit these ieflections to
the ueneial Assembly of the League.

Apait fiom the Kinguom of uou, theie is no human goveinment that possesses
gieatei meiit than any othei. But on this eaith, when a poweiful goveinment
sets out in the belief that it is iight to exteiminate anothei nation against which
no offence has been pioveu, then the houi has come foi the injuieu paity to
biing the wiongs it has suffeieu befoie the League of Nations. uou anu histoiy
will obseive as witnesses the juugement you will give.

At a time when my people is close to extinction, when the help of the League may
yet be able to save it fiom that fate, it is piopei that I shoulu be peimitteu to
speak the tiuth, without holuing back anything, without ieticence, anu without
pievaiication.

I heai it being asseiteu that the sanctions, which have hitheito been applieu anu
which have iemaineu inauequate, have not piouuceu the expecteu iesult. It was
well known that sanctions which weie intentionally ueviseu to be insufficient
anu which weie also impiopeily applieu coulu not at any time anu in any
ciicumstances stop the aggiessoi. This has causeu oui failuie to stop the
aggiessoi, but it is not iight to say that it was impossible. Ethiopia hau
pieviously askeu to be given financial aiu. She is asking foi it now. Was this a
mattei incapable of implementation.

Yet the League of Nations hau given financial assistanceanu even in peace-
timeto othei goveinments who now iefuse to apply sanctions against the
aggiessoi. Bespite the fact that the Italian uoveinment hau employeu ciuel
means of waifaie anu hau many times anu iepeateuly tiansgiesseu all
inteinational laws, I note with a veiy sau heait that a plan is now being ueviseu
to lift sanctions. Is this intenueu action not tantamount to abanuoning Ethiopia
anu to saying 'let the aggiessoi goveinment uo to hei what it pleases'. Boes not
this initiative, coming as it uoes just befoie I appeai befoie the League's ueneial
Assembly with this gieat effoit in the uefence of my people, cut off one of
Ethiopia's last chances of obtaining help anu guaiantees fiom the goveinments
who aie membeis of the League. Is it an objective of this kinu which the League
anu its membeis may confiuently expect fiom the suppoit of the gieat poweis
who possess the means to be leaueis of the League's actions.

If by the acts of aggiession caiiieu out by Italy things have come to such a pass,
will the goveinments who aie membeis of the League have to suboiuinate theii
own wishes to the pieceuent of biute foice.

Pioposals aie assuieuly to come befoie the ueneial Assembly of the League with
a view to impioving the League covenant anu ienueiing moie effective the
guaiantees of mutual aiu. But is it ieally necessaiy to change the covenant.
0nless those who have signeu the covenant have the will to obseive its
piovisions in full, what guaiantees aie theie that the covenant, even if changeu,
will be safeguaiueu. It is the ueteimination of the nations of the woilu that is
uefective anu not the covenant of the League.

In the name of the Ethiopian people which is a membei of the League of Nations,
I iequest the Assembly that eveiything necessaiy be caiiieu out to have the
covenant iespecteu.

I now ienew once moie the piotest which I have pieviously submitteu on the
giounus of the tiansgiession of tieaties to the uetiiment of the Ethiopian people
anu on account of the violence peipetiateu against it. I ueclaie befoie the woilu
that the Empeioi of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian uoveinment, anu the people will not
accept anything uone to them by foice. I fuithei ueclaie that they will uo
eveiything in theii powei to see inteinational oiuei tiiumph, to have the League
covenant iespecteu, anu to have the authoiity anu the teiiitoiy which is theiis
iestoieu to them.

I ask the fifty-two nations who have given a piomise to the Ethiopian people that
they woulu come to theii aiu at the time of the aggiession against them, in oiuei
to pievent the aggiessoi fiom uefeating themI ask these fifty-two nations foi
theii suppoit by upholuing theii piomise. What aie you willing to uo foi
Ethiopia.

You, uieat Poweis, who have piomiseu to give guaiantees of collective secuiity,
lest small nations be extinguisheu anu the fate which has oveitaken Ethiopia
shoulu befall them as well, have you consiueieu what kinu of assistance to
pioviue, so that Ethiopia's libeity shall not be uestioyeu anu hei teiiitoiial
integiity shall be iespecteu.

You iepiesentatives of the woilu assembleu heie! I have come to you to ueneva
to caiiy out the sauuest uuty that has befallen an Empeioi. What answei am I to
take back to my people.