765.84/4821
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 10.]
Sir: With further reference to my telegram No. 259, May 1, 10 p.m. and despatch No. 133 of May 2, 1936, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of an editorial article entitled “Into Exile” which appeared in the Times of London on May 5, 1936,43 and which gives an unusually good picture of the character and spirit of the Emperor Haile Selassie. These views are shared by practically every fairminded person that has had the privilege of coming in contact with him.
In order to complete the records of the Department in this connection I am also quoting below what is probably the last public utterance of the Emperor before he went into exile. It was made to the Press on April 30th, the day he received me:
“Do not the peoples of the world yet realize that by fighting on until the bitter end I have not only been performing my sacred duty towards my own people, but have been standing guard in the last citadel of collective security? Are they so blind that they cannot see I have been facing my responsibilities to the whole of humanity?
“I wanted with all my heart to hold on until my tardy allies appeared. But if they never come then I say to you prophetically and without a trace of bitterness ‘the West is doomed’”.
A truly great ruler and a polished Oriental gentleman has passed from the scene of world politics, and it will be extremely difficult to find his equal among the backward peoples who are striving toward progress and enlightenment.
Respectfully yours,
- Not reprinted.↩