1950 SPEECHES OF H.I.M

TEFERI MAKONNEN SCHOOL SILVER JUBILEE

IMPERIAL GUARD CADET TRAINING SCHOOL

ITHIOPIAN STUDENTS ABROAD: NORTH AMERICA

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TEFERI MAKONNEN SCHOOL SILVER JUBILEE

.....To be able to say that there are one hundred thousand students, one has to start with one.

It is over twenty-five years ago that InI had conceived the idea of building this School, and as everything is bound to be accomplished with man as initiator and God as executor, it was built in its destined time and formally opened twenty-five years ago.

On this occasion when InI celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Teferi Makonnen School and recall the struggle InI made to overcome the opposing internal political forces that InI encountered at the time when, having the building completed, InI were recruiting teachers and gathering students in order to get the work started, InI thank InI God who helped InI to achieve InI aim.

Ever since the day InI were elected by God to be the leader of InI beloved Nation, InI wholehearted desire has been to expand education with which InI people will develop and guarantee their independence, and since InI accession to the power of leadership, InI have put on this cause InI utmost efforts as much as events permitted. And this school the Silver Jubilee of which InI are celebrating today, has rendered evident InI desire and effort.

Among those who, in support of InI idea, have helped InI to found this School, InI thank all who are alive and remember those like the late Blattenguetta Hiruy.

There have been gentlemen and ladies who, sharing InI conviction that there is no instrument better than education for the development of Ithiopia and the welfare of InI Nation, helped InI in different ways. Some of them have done so by inspiring their children to go to school and others by contributing financially to this cause, to an extent that proved their realization of the benefit of education. In this connection, InI do not pass without remembering those, for instance, like the late Dej. Habtemariam Gabregziabier, who sent to the school twenty-three boys together with the school fees.

The names of the persons who had shown their goodwill to support InI idea and expressed the love for education were written at the school hall in golden letters on the roll of honour which was removed by the enemy, and has now been renewed and restituted.

The Teferi Makonnen School started working guided by the internal regulations InI had provided to it, with Dr. Workneh as Principal and a Frenchman called Monsieur Jean Guillon, as Director and concurrently teacher. Under them, there were both foreign and Ithiopian teachers for French and English languages and the number of students increased from day to day.

ENCOURAGED

After a few years when it was arranged for the pupils of Teferi Makonnen School to receive examinations sent from schools in Europe, there were many who passed the examinations and obtained elementary school certificates. When InI were then satisfied with the intelligence of the Ithiopian pupils and the diligence of the teachers, InI were encouraged to double Our efforts. As InI used to see for Ourselves, whenever InI visited the School, their diligence which was resulting in the advancement of the pupils, InI still remember the teachers who were here at that time.

Then InI had only these students who proved progressive and diligent in their studies sent abroad for pursuing their education. Whereas most of these flowers of youth grown in this School were destroyed by Italy's massacre, some have been spared by God and are now serving their country. When InI thought of sending them abroad for education, there was a great obstacle between orientation abroad and preparation at home, and the struggle InI faced was worse.

Convinced that a nation is seen highly possessed of works of civilization due to its heritage of refinement from past generations and not as a result of work accomplished in one generation, and realizing that such heritage demands countless sacrifices, InI exerted a great effort in order to remove current difficulties and to pave the way for the coming generations, and by faith passed the trial.

Moreover, as it was InI desire to improve all possible ways of distributing education to all the Ithiopian population, there has never been one InI have not helped whenever an individual or a society wished to preach education to the Ithiopians or to open a school.

OTHER SCHOOLS

To InI Programme aimed at enabling the youth of Ithiopia to be prepared for the help of their country in different professions acquired by education and training, InI had reinforced the establishment of modern systems capable of maintaining law and order, as well as of safeguarding the security of the country, such as the Regular Army, Police and Air Force, and in general InI had done all to have all systems of public education go hand in hand.

Even though work and time have a limited scope to human capacity, InI were convinced that by working with faith, perseverance, firmness and foresight, it was possible to accomplish much. And InI efforts have been aided by avoiding arrears of work pending for the coming generations so that there might emerge a generation up to date with modern civilization to pursue its current life ,and when InI were organizing such a peaceful life for Our Nation, InI had secured for it the international guarantee of peace by joining the League of Nations and signing the Kellog Convention.

There came an enemy who interrupted Our peaceful work of leading Ithiopia to a high civilization and by invading InI country, destroyed all the products of InI work. Had it not been for all the various obstacles which InI encountered and which hindered InI work, it is obvious that the result of InI initiative for the purpose of having Ithiopia combine her ancient civilization with the modern world progress would have appeared much earlier. Nevertheless, InI thank God for the kindness InI have never missed.

Although it had, following the invasion of the enemy, fallen sick for some time, the Teferi Makonnen School which InI see today as a young school of twenty-five years has, in accordance with its age, served a generation and is therefore, seen with its head upright.

When InI inaugurated this school twenty-five years ago, InI extolled the merciful Lord and said: "To be able to say that there are one hundred thousand students, one has to start with one."

Today in Ithiopia, there are more than 100,000 students. Hence, InI feel very happy at the celebration of the 25th year of Teferi Makonnen School, where InI have expressed InI wishes and see that the mercy of God is limitless.

InI feel deeply sorry when InI recall the memory of the youngsters who were educated at this school and who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their Emperor and country. When InI turn to those who are alive and rendering valuable service to their country, including those who are attending this inauguration as well as those who are on duty in distant places, InI sorrow changes into happiness.

And you, students, should realize that for the benefit of Ithiopia and for Our Nation, InI most important work at present is the preparation of educated generations for Ithiopia, and InI fervently hope that you will prove worthy of Our efforts for this purpose. InI thank those who have been supporting InI in this cause and InI strongly ask them to continue their support.

APRIL 27, 1950

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IMPERIAL GUARD CADET TRAINING SCHOOL

InI have reminded you repeatedly in the past that bravery is the natural characteristic of the Ithiopian people, which they need borrow from nowhere, and that the possession by Ithiopian people of such a sterling quality is widely known. The fact that InI have already explained to you InI consideration about you makes it unnecessary to dwell on it at length today.

The harmonious blending of military training with inherent valour not only spares vain bloodshed, it also assures victory without undue effort. A few well disciplined and trained troops, history bears witness, can win a battle against an out-numbering force, even ten times larger. History records that military science enabled Alexander the Great to conquer a large part of the world, often engaging his 30,000 soldiers against the adversary's 600,000. Education and training, as in every walk of life, offers limitless benefits in the military field as well.

Born to struggle in this world, man gradually realizes the miracles of "light" and harnesses this knowledge to be his first instrument of defence against the trials of life, never thereafter preferring to travel in darkness. You boys, to whom InI have handed the powerful weapon on "light" must exert your utmost to carry the torch of light, sternly refusing to be returned to darkness. The results of your training, which have been demonstrated just now, are a matter of pride for your Emperor and a source of strength to your country. Whenever InI witness such progressive achievement, InI feel extremely happy, looking forward to the dawn of the day that will usher in the fulfillment of InI plan for InI people's well-being.

There is no person in this world who is free from life's responsibility. This responsibility enjoins one to discharge the duty towards the country, serving and dying for it. No one, whether he is a soldier or a civilian, can afford to be a coward and can escape this responsibility. Fortunately, there is no need at present for the employment of InI armed forces, either here in InI territory or abroad. When your services are called for, the military force InI referred to now will be a guarantee for liberty and independence. May God help you to fulfill the pledge you have given to your Emperor and to your country.

InI view with satisfaction the services of the Commander of the Imperial Body Guard, Brigadier General Mulugueta Bully, in efficiently carrying out InI directives, and of the instructors for their devotion to the task of training.

MAY 25, 1950

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ITHIOPIAN STUDENTS ABROAD: NORTH AMERICA

InI am very happy to be able to send a few words of greeting to you on the occasion of this reunion of the Ithiopian students who are studying in America. It is good that it has been possible to arrange such a meeting so that you may relax and enjoy yourselves together for a time. InI pray that it will also be a period for renewing friendships with your fellow countrymen and thus strengthening the ties which bind you to your homeland, Ithiopia. It should also be a time when you may take stock of yourself and may consider what return you owe for the opportunity you have been given.

Great and wise men from all countries have told InI through the centuries that the most worthwhile sort of life is one of service---'Working for the benefit of others.' The Divine Teacher by word and example taught InI that the only worthy way of living is to give rather than to receive.

In the dark days of the occupation InI own patriots did not consider personal advantages as they strove to realize their ideal. As you prepare yourselves to return to Ithiopia InI commend to you a life which gives to others who are less privileged than we and who have not had InI opportunities.

Each of you is old enough and mature enough to know that in the United States and Canada education has seldom been prized only on account of its usefulness to individuals but to society. It is seldom intended to be merely an ornament to the person who obtains it.

This conception of education is equally important for InI in Ithiopia, where only education can lead the way to higher standards of living for all people. It is in expectation of a rich return that the Ithiopian Government has spent freely to send you abroad, praying that upon your return you will make a generous contribution to the betterment of your country.

InI do not want you to return to Ithiopia, Americans or Canadians; American techniques in their entirety may be good only in America and Canadian training will be especially applicable to conditions in that country. InI pray that you will be wise in choosing those elements from foreign education which are applicable to conditions in Ithiopia and which can be used in InI own country.

There is a third thought which InI would like you to keep always before you. In a world which becomes smaller and smaller as communication improves, nations must live as neighbours with other nations. Just as your impressions of an American are formed from the individual Americans you meet, so a foreigner's ideas about Ithiopia depend upon the Ithiopians he encounters and knows.

Each of you is an Ambassador-at-large of your country. When you are kind and tolerant and courteous you make people think well of InI---when you are arrogant and proud and unfriendly you discredit InI in the eyes of others. It is InI earnest hope that you may be at all times worthy representatives of Ithiopia.

SEPTEMBER 2, 1950

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