765.84/5182: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert)
24. Your 47, February 20, 11 a.m. In view of the conditions described in your telegram we feel that it may be undesirable to continue to maintain our present representation at Addis Ababa. Such conditions, taken in conjunction with questions such as those referred [Page 685] to in your 44, February 18, 2 p.m.,2 are likely to involve us in embarrassing if not dangerous incidents which are not of any vital concern to this country.
Since American missionaries in the interior are now safe and since you have done everything for them that could properly be expected, we feel that perhaps no useful purpose would be served by maintaining our representation. Under the circumstances we incline to believe that you should depart on leave prior to March 1, as previously planned, and that Hughes3 should arrange to close the office and withdraw with American personnel as soon after your departure as he conveniently can.
Please submit your definite views, stating date of your departure and earliest date on which Hughes could withdraw if that should be finally determined.