Evening star., 1954-05-27
SeIassie Cites Help
From Americans in
Ethiopia Prosperity
BY John v. Homer

Dy Jonn V. 1oTnef
Emperor Halle Selassie de-
clared here today the American
people deserve much credit for
helping ancient Ethiopia attain
a position Of unprecedented
prosperity.
His country, he said, has been
strengthened by military and
commercial agreements with the
United States, lend-leaSe assist
ance and support for the fed
Grafton of Eritrea with Ethi-
opia.
In an address to news CORE
spondents and photographers at
Hotel Statler, the small but erect
ruler said Ethiopia stands in the
delicately-poised Middle East for
the collective security and the
high ideals which the United
States so we'll exemplif1es."
Reviews Italian Pressure.
He recalled the intense pres
sure to which he was subjected
when Italian aggression against
his country began 18 years ago.
He referred to it as pressure Ito
compromise the interests and fate
Of my beloved people"
He said young states near
Ethiopia today are naturally
reluctant to commit themselves
irrevocably upon any political
decision, take sides or otherwise
disturb the delicately poised
equilibrium in which they live.
But he added that although the
League of Nations took no effec-
tive action on his plea for help
against Italy in 1886, 'in the
light of history, Ethiopia today
remains more profoundly con-
vinced than ever that her appeal
was right and that God is now
vouchsafing unto her recompense
for all her suffering"
Vindicated by U. N.
"That collective security which
the League of Nations could not
assure to my people has now been
gloriously vindicated by the
United Nations" he said.
With respect to Ethiopian
prosperity, the Emperor said in
a decade foreign trade and hold
ings of foreign exchange have
quadrupled, the national budget
has doubled and the country's
currency has not been devalued.
1--WE accep you (Americans)
without misgivings," said the
monarch. 1--WE welcome you sin
cerely as friends. I would |
be happy, indeed, if my visit |
to your great country would
serve the purpose of inducing
more engineers. experts and
American capital to come to
Ethiopia I
Moved to Blair House.
The Emperor and members of
his official party moved into |
Blair House this morning after !
spending the first night of his
Washington visit at the White |
House. as guest of President and
Mrs. Eisenhower. a
He was welcomed on the
steps of the mansion by the
President yesterday afternoon
and was feted at State dinner
in the White House last night.
His schedule on his first full
day in the Capital included
visits to Mount Vernon and
Arlington Cemetery. He planned
to place wreaths at the Tomb
of Washington and the TOMB
of the Unknown Soldier.
Ambassadors Reception.
The Ambassador OF Ethiopia
is entertaining at reception in
honor of the Emperor late this
afternoon in the Mayf1ower Ho-
tel. It will be followed by /
dinner given for him in Ander-
son House by the Secretary Of |
State and Mrs. Dulles.
Speaking in English, the EN-
peror expressed his appreciation
to the people of the United
States and the citizens of the
District for the welcome &C
corded him on his arrival yes
terday.
President Eisenhower's plane,
the Columbine, brought the
royal visitor to Washington from
New York. He was greeted at
National Airport by Vice Presi-
dent Nixon, Admiral Arthur |
Radford and other prominent ,
officials.
21-Gun Salute.
When he debarked from the
plane, the Emperor was greeted
with the national anthems of
Ethiopia and the United States
and was accorded a 21-gun
salute. He reviewed the military
guard of honor, in company with
the Vice President.
Thousands of persons, includ-
ing Government workers re-
leased early from their duties,