665D.006/2: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
Addis
Ababa, October 10, 1936—11
a.m.
[Received October 11—1 a.m.]
[Received October 11—1 a.m.]
581. Department’s 367, October 7, 4 p.m. Since my 565, September 29, 10 a.m., my attention has been called:
- 1.
- To an attempt of a local dealer to import about 500 cases American gasoline, 500 kerosene and some lubricating oil. Permission was refused and no reason given.
- 2.
- Another large dealer who is the agent for an American oil company and General Motors cars was told emphatically but orally that no non-Italian products were wanted and there was no use apply for import licenses. He did, however, obtain permit to import small quantity of spare parts for American cars which he had previously sold.
- 3.
- It appears kerosene can only be imported through the Italian petroleum monopoly and that a virtual monopoly for the sale of gasoline has been given to a local Armenian merchant.
- 4.
- The Legation is unofficially trying to assist importers in these and the other cases already reported.
Engert