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Show a ruler who has survived invasion and coup as Pffl Emperor of Ethiopia The palace grounds are surrounded by a fence higher than that which surrounds Buckingham Palace or the White House. Visitors walking up from the parking lot are greeted by an enormous, lion named Tojo and the ominous roars of several others that are caged. We clutched each other tightly at one ferocious roar. The staff tiptoes and talks in whispers as they shuffle up and down the steps of the stucco palace that has precious stones emeralds, opals, amethysts, diamonds, and sapphires set into the exterior walls. The reception room is lavishly furnished. The bookshelves hold a collection of and about Winston Churchill. The only incongruity is an embroidered Victorian sampler that reads, "God bless our home." We were told that it was a present from a lady in Rhode Island. Although the Emperor is slightly more than five feet tall, his impact is enormous. When we met him, he was wearing a light tan uniform with 13 military decorations. He received us in a large, sunlit room, but the day was chilly and a fire crackled on the hearth. His two papillon something like a Chihuahua also a gift from the United States, snugg!?d on a polar-berug. The chair that bore a royal Emperor sat in a silver-gi- lt crest. He already had sent word that he would speak only in Amhari ;, his country's tongue. But he is fluent in English, so as we spoke, he often bypassed the interpreter. The Emperor made a great point of saying that Ethiopia was the only country that has held together since Biblical times and that his people do not give up easily. He then told us that Ethiopia slumbered historically for a very long time partly because it was and remains a Christian country surrounded by Islamic nations. Haile Selassie recalled the classic story of how the Biblical Queen of Sheba, then Empress of Ethiopia, heard of the wisdom of King Solomon and traveled with 1,100 retainers and 2,000 free-roami- mud-colore- d ar horses and camels to Israel to hear the great King's lecture. We were reminded that in The Song of Solomon it is recorded that King Solomon, entranced by the Queen of Sheba's beauty, pointed out that she was in his power. She replied that Ethiopia was no power to be trifled with. Solomon offered an agreement he would not approach her unless or until she took something during the course of her visit that belonged to him. She answered calmly that she therefore could not be more safe, as Ethiopians are not thieves. Solomon, in his wisdom, arranged however to have Sheba served a very spicy and salty dinner without either wine or water. Sheba went serenely to sleep but woke up several hours later parched with thirst. Solomon had left a crystal jug of water in her room. She drank from it. Solomon promptly appeared from behind a curtain, claimed n rulers default, and the line of was that night established. Hundreds of centuries later, Haile Selassie is the result. Selassie waved both hands as he told us that he is determined to move his country forward peacefully. In order to do so, he believes African nations must avoid major wars among themselves and walk an amenable and opportunistic tightrope among the great powers. When we asked him what he regarded as his greatest achievement, he said in English that he feels that a country can only be strong if its people are educated. The Emperor has turned his former palace into a university which bears his name. Of the examples of student unrest we had seen, he merely said that there also was a great deal of student unrest in the U.S., but it didn't mean that education or the country was doomed. In 1935 Mussolini's Italian army occupied Ethiopia, and Selassie despite a very eloquent plea for help before the League of Nations, was forced into exile. Selassie believed that he was destined . ' hi - jc jir, . liiiiMiritil',:iif-'fTI- ' whose tvalls are studded with n'-'it- Emperor's residence, i i to go back to Ethiopia after the end of the five year Italian occupation to help his people. He told us that on Jan. 20, 1941, he crossed back into his country. It was shortly before noon when his plane landed in a field that had been hacked out of the jungle. He marched the 500 yards to the border and ran up an Ethiopian green, yellow, and red standard on a flagpole. We said that we had been married on a Jan. 20. He smiled and remarked that it was indeed a lucky day. We had visited Selassie's private stable that morning and mentioned how impressed n we were with his magnificent ponies. When we told him that we owned horses, the conversation turned to horse breeding, of which he knew a great deal. The Emperor said that riding was the best way for a man to get away from his cares. Then, sighing, he remarked that although it was a lovely day to mount his favorite steed, he had to work. We took this as a sign to depart. As we were about to leave, he said that one of his mares would shortly foal and that although we raised fine horses in the U.S., no stable was complete without an Ethiopian pony. We agreed. Recalling that he gives expensive gifts, we wonder whether the mail soon will bring news that a foal from HIM is en route. Judean-Ethiopia- -- - precious jewels. i TCb Arabian-Ethiopia- v j!l , P Selassie pets a lion cub in his palace's park. v xv -- r , C.VlgilliWtt;lIlV?aMW,-,ir- : . . .,UaJjfeafSSSr flZ?? Ethiopians kneel and kiss the ground as Haile Selassie's car approaches. F amily Weekly, October 19, 1909 |