765.84/5090: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:32 p.m.]
608. I hear from an excellent first-hand source that Dejazmatch Wanda Wassan, eldest son of Ras Kassa, and brother of Aberra mentioned in paragraph 4 of my 479, July 1853 and later in telegrams rose against the Italians in August in the province of Lasta northwest of Magdala. He had simulated submission to the Italian authorities and had been given a command in Lasta with headquarters at Lalibella where he gave effective protection to our missionaries Mr. and Mrs. Oglesby. But since the end of August he and a considerable body [of] followers have been in open rebellion and fighting occurred near [Page 85] Lalibella as recently as October 1. The Italians have confiscated or destroyed all his properties and are rushing reinforcements into the region between Sokota and Lalibella where the bulk of his forces are in hiding.
Oglesbys apparently well and remaining at their station.
- Not printed.↩