Atlanta Daily World

Haile Selassie's Visit Here Is Set For May 26

WASHINGTON -(ANP)-Haile Selassie, the absolute monarch of Ethiopia, will arrive in Washington, May 26, to begin his tour of United States cities.

Although Emperor Selassie is the ruler of some 10 million persons of color, he and his country and people are not too well known by Americans.

The people are a mixture of Hamitic, Semitic and Negroid races. They speak one or more of the 70 languages and 200 dialects heard in the country which covers some 400,000 square miles.

The land ranks with the American Midwest or the Russian Ukraine as one of the earth's most fertile regions.

While in the U. S. A., the 61-year-old emperor intends to inspect American industry and agriculture.

Since the end of World War II Ethiopia has made great strides toward industrialization.

The emperor and his country first attracted world attention in 1935 when the Italians under Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia.

Emperor Selassie appeared before the now defunct League of Nations to plead his nation's case and try to get the League to invoke sanctions against the aggressor Italy.

Failing to get the League to act the Ethiopians, armed with out-of-date equipment, carried on the fight alone against a highly modernized invading army.

For his heroic effort against the Italians the Conquering Lion of Juda as Selassie is known earned the admiration of the world. It has been said that if the League had acted when he requested it to do so, World War II might have been averted.

The move was sponsored by the United Nations.

Selassie did not inherit the throne directly. He came through it after an Emperor was deposed during World War I. He was co-regent with an aunt of the deposed ruler. Upon her death he succeeded to the throne.

His reign can be described as progressive. He runs the country through a Council of Ministers and two houses of parliament. Members of the council and of the upper house are appointed by the emperor, while the members of the lower house are chosen by the more responsible residents of all provinces.

The present constitution, adopted in 1931, promises full suffrage as soon as education becomes more widespread.

The emperor has invited foreign capital to invest in Ethiopia. While in the USA, Selassie probably will encourage business men to help develop his country.

A complete list of his itinerary was not released. However, he is expected to visit most of the industrial cities in the nation.