711.8412A/4
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Ethiopia (Southard)
Sir: Pursuant to its policy of entering into treaties of arbitration and of conciliation with practically all countries, this Government now desires to propose to the Government of Ethiopia the conclusion of such treaties. You are, accordingly, requested, unless you perceive objection, to transmit to the appropriate official of the Ethiopian Government the enclosed draft texts of such treaties. In order to conform to the type of note used by the Department in proposing similar treaties to other Governments, through their representatives at Washington, it is suggested that you may wish to transmit the draft treaties with a covering note substantially as follows:
Under instructions from my Government, I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Government of Ethiopia, and as a basis for negotiation, drafts of treaties of arbitration and of conciliation between the United States and Ethiopia.
Both of the proposed treaties are identical in effect with treaties of arbitration and of conciliation which were signed at Washington on May 5, 1928, by representatives of the United States and Germany,1 and with similar treaties which have recently been concluded between the United States and other countries. The draft arbitration treaty resembles in some respects the arbitration treaties concluded between the United States and many countries beginning in 1908, but represents, in the opinion of my Government, a definite advance over the earlier formula. Substantially in the form submitted herewith, treaties have, during the last few months, been signed by the United States with France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland, respectively.
The draft conciliation treaty is in all respects similar to the conciliation treaties negotiated in 1913 by my Government and made effective with many countries. During recent months such treaties have been signed by the United States with Germany, Finland. Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland, respectively.
[Page 981]My Government feels that the United States and Ethiopia have an opportunity, by adopting treaties such as those suggested herein, not only to promote friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries, but also to advance materially the cause of arbitration and the pacific settlement of international disputes. If the Government of Ethiopia concurs in this view and is prepared to negotiate treaties along the lines of the two drafts transmitted herewith, I shall be glad to enter at once upon such discussions as may be necessary.
I am [etc.]