CHAPTER 27
THE SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA was growing more and more ominous by the time that Rutherford received a disquieting telegram from Washington. He hurried to Standish’s office waving it in front of him.
“Standish, I think you better go see Yifru, immediately. I’d like him to hear this from us rather than our close allies,” he said, handing Standish a telegram on the coarse yellowed paper.
“What is it?”
“Congress passed the Neutrality Act on August 31. Goddamn those bastards! That means no help for Ethiopia. We will be neutral to every country in war. Just that this is the only one staring us in the face. And we are utterly involved in it. The president has signed it.”
Standish looked at Rutherford in utter disbelief. “How could he do this?”
“There’s also a message from President Roosevelt. Look at it so you know what to answer if there are questions. I’m sure there will be. You can give the emperor the full text, if you want. It’s public property.”
Standish took the telegram and began to read it as Rutherford left. “I have given my approval to Resolution 173, the Neutrality Legislation, which passed the Congress last week.” President Roosevelt had written.
Standish picked up his jacket and ran toward the entrance to the legation yelling for Daniele as he did so. It took them ten minutes to reach the palace. The lower floor was crowded like almost any day at the Ghibbi. There were about three hundred people lounging in the courtyard, waiting to see or to talk with the emperor.
“Hey, stranger. You must have something pretty important to bring you over here,” Ceseli said as Standish came abruptly into her office.
“Know where Yifru is? He’s not in his office.”
“Probably with the emperor.”
Standish looked at his watch.
“What’s the matter?” Ceseli asked. “You look worried.”
“Congress has signed the Neutrality Act. And Roosevelt signed it. That’s what.”
“What does that mean?”
“We can’t sell arms to Ethiopia. God, what do they think they’re doing? Assholes.”
“Now what?” Ceseli asked, her voice quavering.
“The guard said you were looking for me.” Yifru said, abruptly opening the door.
“Rutherford thought you should see this from us directly. It couldn’t come at a worse time.”
Yifru took the text of the President’s message and skimmed it. Then he reread it more carefully. “Let me see. This resolution provides for a licensing system for the control of carrying arms by American vessels. For the control of the use of American waters by foreign submarines. For the restriction of travel by American citizens on vessels of belligerent nations, and for the embargo of the export of arms to all belligerent nations.”
“Here again,” President Roosevelt had written, “the policy of this government is definitely committed to the maintenance of peace and the avoidance of any entanglements that would lead us into conflict. At the same time, it is the policy of the government by every peaceful means and without entanglement to cooperate with other similarly minded governments to promote peace.”
Yifru drew in his breath. “This is something we didn’t need. I guess we knew it might happen, but now it’s a fact. We need to look elsewhere for help.”
“I’m sorry,” Standish said, earnestly shaking Yifru’s hand.
All of a sudden Ceseli felt physically sick to her stomach. “It does say that the U.S. will cooperate with other peace wanting nations. Does that include the League?”
“It does imply that,” Standish said. “Let’s hope so.”
“Thank Rutherford for me.” Yifru said, still looking at the text. “I think I need to interrupt the emperor.”
When he had gone, Ceseli looked at Standish. “Is this it?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Alone, Ceseli walked to her window. Outside, there was no sense of panic as the home guard drilled in the garden. She looked at the young boys who were smiling as she heard the bare feet padding rhythmically. Gra-Gra-Gra-Ken-Gra. Gra-Gra-Gra-Ken-Gra. Tears began to form in her eyes and she didn’t stop them as she continued to hear the Gra-Gra-Gra-Ken-Gra. Gra-Gra-Gra-Ken-Gra.