The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1937-12-04
Emperor Selassie
Faces Poverty

London ANP)-Although En-
pcror Halle Sclassie is so poor ne
cannot afford to buy coal these
chilly days and Is trying 10 sell his
big lG room house and big German
made car. ne still retains his pride.
kindhraltcd English people who
heard Of his plight sent him food
wine ccal aud even penny stamps
10 brighten his THANKSGIVING
only 10 have the proud little king
OF kings although appreciating the
sentiments. become indignant ov,r
what he considered 'undigniiied
gifis."
II am a poor man. yes he told
Miss Steedman. secretary of The
Abyssinia association. when she
visited him at his home in Bath.
England, Wednesday. but am
not an object OF charity 7 would
much prefer Ethiopian sympathiz
ers sending their gifts 10 the as
sociarion 10 aid refugees, most Of
whom have absolutely no means.
Selassie Is still listed in the tele-
phone book az Emperor of Ethio-
pia His dignity IL still as great az
ever. and his beard retains its cele-
brated trim. But he himself has
confessed his poverty.
..Il -. tAA N IL A.
% members of his family, his body
guards and his servants has l6
rooms. lie bought II for $22.500
when he came 10 England after
fleeing Adds Ababa. and spent
$1,000 more for Improvements be-
fore moving in. The amount was
paid with silver banqueting pla.e
brought from Ethiopia.
But the upkecp Is too great lie
wants 10 sell the house as soon ~
possible and without proht lie al
go wants To get rid Of his motor
car. The negus is anxious 20 nave
into smaller quarters since every
economy must be praciiCei In q
smaller house some OF the n fllaces
could be boarded out which eruld
b. far cheaper
Evidence Of forced economies -
seen everywhere in the villa. Aparl
from the childrcn's nurser, ne
fires burn regularly. Their. is II.
central heating plant and 10 save
coal. the fire in the big drawinp
Dom IL lighted only on special oc-
casiUns. The emperor must NOV.
about with his coat wrapped tight
ly about him. And when Sclassie 1
secretary travels 10 London on OF.
fetal business. he is forced 10 gt
third class.
1T must he realized that we have
bsoluiely no income" he stated IL
I recent interview we must liv,
IN what little capital we have
When one has small capital am
no income when II is all outgoinl
nd no coming anxiety is bount
20 happen
The. is no secret about III,
, money was reported to have taker
out of my country When lief
F, Ethiopia. hoped would soon re
turn with assistance from the lea
que OF nations. and SO brough
{: ,ut only what | thought would b,
sufficient for my immediate needs
That little has gone in assisting
, ny people who are now refugees
from my own country and in the
litigatiuns in which | have been in.
yolved in Lodon I'D Paris In an ef-
fort 10 recover some of my money
All that brought with me was
some silver, and no jewelry and no
gold. We do not collect jcwelry in
Ethiopia
Under questioning. the negus ad-
mitted emissaries OF Premier BENZ
TO Mussolini had made overtures. 10
him on returning TO Ethiopia as L
puppet ruler. The Italians believe
this step would pacify the native
population whose current guerilla
warfare is a source Of worry 10 the
"conquerors
II have been offered sum ~
money and the return ~ my state
funds il agree 10 rptri 80 nft
country h. declared ia col'd
never acvepl such .icfmr J wol'tl
he selling mN people fof rsnna'
wen'th g.l security