Empress Menen Asfaw
Thursday April 23rd, 1936

Ethiopian Empress’s Appeal

At this most critical hour in my country’s history, while we are fighting against tremendous odds, we are still undefeated. I appeal to the world press for an opportunity to state our cause.

All those who respect the principles designed to regulate relations between the nations must be stung to shame and indignation by the unfairness and inequality under which my country suffered, while the aggressor was preparing for attack, and since he actually began his criminal actions.

While Italy was arming, Ethiopia was denied by embargo imposed by the powers, the right to arm for her own defense.

The rising of the embargo came too late to enable our armies to receive the supplies which would have been most effective for meeting the attack.

Despite their overwhelming superiority of equipment, the Italian armies were unable, for many months to make any notable advance….

Only when the enemy resorted to the most devilish means of attack, dropping poisonous and corrosive gases from the skies indiscriminately on men, women, and children and cattle, was he able to break the lines and secure an advantage.

This advantage was won only by a means which is not only the foulest affront to humanity, but also a violation of international agreements entered into with other powers.

Even if the suffering of our defenseless people does not arouse compassion enough to promote action to end the horror, the flouting of solemn pacts should surely be a ground for such action by all other parties to the agreement.

For if the enemy [today] is raining the foul products of his civilization on the villages of our remote countryside, what security is there that a similar terror may not soon descend on the cities of Europe.

We are not defeated and shall defend our just cause to the end. I myself shall remain here.

Therefore, I appeal to France, as the emblem of liberty and equality, and to Great Britain as defender of freedom and justice for all races, and to the whole world to abandon all delay in saving my poor country.

Originally given in Amharic and translated into English by Princess Tsahai.

Learn more about Empress Menen at www.menenchronicles.com.