The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-06-26
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OPEN LEGATION
I'm WASHINGTON
Liberia Speculates AS
u. S. ReOpens Its
African Office
BY ERNEST E. JOHNSON

The Ethiopian government is look
ing about for site for legation
here. it has been learned.
Simultaneous with this disclosure
State Department spokesman re-
vealed that The United States gov
eminent is reopening its legation
in Adds Ababs. the Abyssinia
capital. and that John K. Caldwell,
career diplomat will take up
duties there as minister resident
and Consul General following a
two week vacation on which he
started last Wednesday.
From New York il is learned also
that the Liberian government looks
favorably upon the establishment
of legation in Washington, but
that the chief handicap at the mo-
ment is finding the funds to main
tain it. The cost is estimated vari-
ously at from $4,000 to $4,000
annually.
The impetus given TO postwar
planning by the recently adjourned
United Nations Food conference at
Hot Springs, Va. and the projection
Of tentative plans for meeting
20 discuss other phases OF rehabili-
tstion Of certain countries. is un-
derstood 10 have motivated current
thinking on the part OF the two
governments of darker peoples.
Had Honorary Consulate
Ethiopia Ia: never had anything
more than an honorary consulate
in this country. John H. Shaw OF
New York has served in this ca
pacty..
On the other hand. the United
States had maintained a legation
in Ethiopia until 1914 when il was
closed for reason which has not
been readily determined II was
reopened in 1923 and remained
open until the Italian invasion OF
that country in 1887.
Mr.. Caldwell discussed his ap-
pointment with President RooSe-
Welt on Monday a week ago. and
party was given 10 the new min
ister by his office the following
day
He was born in Piketon, Ohio. in
1881. and graduated from Berea COL
lege in Kentucky. Berea college
was established to meet the edu-
cationsl needs OF the mountain folk
OF the state. and until restrictive
laws were passed by the Kentucky
legislature in the early part OF the
century. the college had admitted
both Negroes and whites who at
tended classes together
Work Out Agreement
Mr. Caldwell entered the diplo-
matte service in 1906 as a student
interpreter at Tokyo He has held
positions in Sidney, Australia;
Tientsin, China and here in Wash
ington.
One OF the frst items of business
will be the working out OF ex-
chan ses Of materials or services
under the Lend-LeaSe act Ethiopia
was declared eligible for lend-lease
on December 7. 1912 The prelim-
mary agreement was signed three
weeks ago. however. the master
agreement has yet 10 be signed
State Department; sources intimated
that this would probably be done
within the next two weeks and
that Wilma Deressa. vice minister
for finance for Ethiopia, now in this
country as chairman OF the coun-
try's delegation 10 the food con-
ference. would DO the signing
So far as could be determined
Liberia has no; yet made de-
cision on the matter beyond agree
ing that a legation is desirable. A
source close 10 the visiting presi-
Dental party OF Edwin Barclay
hazarded guess that Liberia may
do something concrete in the next
six months or year. President
elect w. V. s. Tubmsn is known
10 look {avorably 10 the establish
ment Of ministry in Washington.
Walter F. Walker Is that coun;rys
consulate general here.