1958 SPEECHES OF H.I.M

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE---GRADUATION

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AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE---GRADUATION

.....From the beginnings of recorded history, right up to the Middle Ages, and even as late as the beginning of the Industrial Age in which we live, agriculture has always constituted the fundamental source of wealth for the human race.....

It gives InI great pleasure to be present here to inaugurate the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, an occasion which marks a great and far-reaching advance in InI programme for the promotion of agricultural education. This institution will serve as a source of inspiration in carrying out the agricultural programme which InI have laid down for the future.

In establishing this College for the development of the natural wealth of InI country, agriculture and animal husbandry, on modern and scientific lines, InI main purpose has not been merely to develop and utilize these basic resources to supply the daily needs of InI people, in addition, to produce a surplus to be shared with other countries of the world. Ithiopia, to some degree, has done this in the past. For example, when the world was sorely distressed by lack of food immediately after the Second World War. InI country, although she herself had for five long years been struggling to recover from the terrible damage inflicted upon her during the war, was yet able to perform a significant service in supplying foodstuffs to the countries of the Middle East. And InI have been pleased to observe how, since then, InI people have increasingly devoted themselves to improving the agriculture of InI country.

A country and a people that become self-sufficient by the development of agriculture can look forward with confidence to the future.

Agriculture is not only the chief among those fundamental and ancient tasks which have been essential to the survival of mankind, and also ranks first among the prerequisites to industrial and other developments.

SOLID AGRICULTURAL BASE

History affords InI ample evidence that mankind abandoned its nomadic way of life and developed a settled, communal economy only when man became skilled and competent in agricultural techniques. From the beginnings of recorded history, right up to the Middle Ages, and even as late as the beginning of the Industrial Age in which we now live, agriculture has always constituted the fundamental source of wealth for the human race.

Only when a solid agricultural base has been laid for InI country's commercial and industrial growth can InI ensure the attainment of the ultimate goal of InI development programme, namely, a high standard of living for InI people. Commerce and industry, being concerned in the main with production and distribution, can only develop and profit from existing resources, and cannot actually create things which did not exist before.

Most of the districts of InI Harar Province are populated mainly by nomadic people. Now that InI are in a position to anticipated an adequate water supply from the rivers and wells in the region, the area will flourish and land will no longer lie fallow in the province when only the people of Ogaden, Esa and Adal could be educated in agricultural techniques. All this can be attained only by means of the wisdom which flows from the fountain of education. While this College will serve the whole of InI country, its being established in InI Province of Harar is the result of careful planning and consideration on InI part.

Even in this nuclear age, in spite of the revolutionary changes in man's way of life which science has brought about, the problem of further improving and perfecting agricultural methods continues to hold a position of high priority for the human race. It is hard to know that a substitute can ever be found for the occupation of agriculture---a sacred task graciously conferred upon man by God to serve as the source of his well-being and the basis of his wealth.

SHARE AND EXCHANGE

InI country, Ithiopia, being blessed with an abundance of natural resources need not be anxious about her own needs. However, it is InI constant endeavour and InI firm desire, that InI people will produce not only enough to meet their own requirements but that their production will enable them to share and exchange the fruits of their labour with other countries.

When only Ithiopia, with an assured wealth of natural resources, would look at what the barren Sahara Desert has been made to produce by the endeavour of trained scientists, she would realize that science is a source of wealth. InI would, therefore, have InI students and scholars accept as their primary duty the attainment of scientific knowledge through education.

InI have placed InI trust in this College to be the chief instrument for the attainment of this high goal, and InI are confident that the students who have today received their diplomas from InI hands, as well as those who follow them in the future, will through their achievements furnish InI with tangible evidence of the fulfillment of this InI purpose and InI desire.

Agriculture and industry are indispensable one to the other. Only close co-operation between these two branches of knowledge can guarantee the fulfillment of InI programme of economic development for InI country.

This College, which holds a prominent place in the plans InI have laid down for the prosperity and welfare of InI beloved people and country, can look forward to receiving the same constant support which InI have shown in the past.

It is with pleasure that InI express on this occasion InI gratitude to InI great friend, the United States of America, for the generous and significant assistance they have given to this institution as part of their great effort for the development of the spirit of cooperation and overstanding among the nations of the world. InI would request His Excellency the Ambassador to convey InI thanks to his Government.

When the late Dr. Bennet, who laid the plans for this institution and whose great desire and tireless efforts to achieve the establishment of an Agricultural and Mechanical College in this country are well-known to InI, were with InI today to see the fulfillment of his plans, how happy he would have been! With deep sorrow in InI heart, remembering the words "Man proposes, God disposes," InI pay a tribute to his memory in this hour.

InI would like to express InI sincere thanks to the Director of the Point Four Programme in this country, the President and staff of this College, and all of InI officials who have laboured to bring this institution into being.

It is not enough for the children of Ithiopia to be recipients of education. They should never forget that the responsibility for passing on this knowledge to others and of handing it over to the next generation rests on them.

JANUARY 16, 1958

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ENGINEERING COLLEGE--GRADUATION

.....The existence from ancient times of marvels of construction---among which Ithiopia proudly numbers the monuments at Axum, the remarkable rock churches and other engineering wonders---attest to the long history of the profession........

It gives InI great pleasure to be present here today to award degrees to the first graduates of this College of Engineering which InI inaugurated with such high hopes a few short years ago. This first graduation ceremony marks another step towards the fulfillment of the goal which InI have set for InI and for InI country in InI overall programme for the development of Ithiopia to which InI have so long devoted for InI.

When InI observe the tangible results produced by InI programme of education, to which InI have dedicated the major portion of InI time and efforts, it helps InI to bear lightly the burden of InI labours, and provide for InI and for you as well an occasion for legitimate pride.

Although the first institution where men received formal training in engineering was established only a little over two hundred years ago, the science of engineering is one of the world's oldest. The existence from ancient times of marvels of construction---among which Ithiopia proudly numbers the monuments at Axum, the remarkable rock churches and other engineering wonders---attests to the long history of the profession. Even in InI day, engineers are seen constantly adopting and adapting to their current needs the techniques developed in those remote times, thus fusing the ancient and the modern, the old and the new. As you advance in your profession, the value of thus combining ancient and modern skills will become apparent to you.

Now that your formal education is over, you graduates, like engineering graduates the world over, will have to apprentice yourselves to senior engineers and acquire the necessary practical experience which alone can complete the training which you have received at this College.

The degree which you receive today testifies to your growth in knowledge and training. The measure of your growth in real artisanship remains to be revealed in the work which awaits you in your future careers. Your success in your profession will not depend on your possession of an engineering degree; it is rather to be judged by the service you render in the future and by the tangible results of your labours. Having passed the academic test posed by this College, you now move on to face the more arduous tests posed by life. And the only way to face these tests successfully is to be spiritually prepared for them.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that having taken your engineering degree you can put training and study behind you, and can afford to neglect the acquisition of further knowledge and skill. Man's education never stops, and in a profession as complex and difficult as yours, you must strive ceaselessly to put into practice your theoretical knowledge, and to keep yourselves abreast of new technical developments. When the product of your labours is not commensurate with the advantages you have received from education, your efforts thus far will be judged futile and worthless. Throughout your life, your mettle will be tested by the work you do, and your reputation will depend on the outcome of this test.

It is, therefore, your duty to exercise life-long vigilance to ensure that the fruits of your labours are worthy of the efforts spent on your education. When you, whose minds have been matured by education and to whom the torch of knowledge has been handed, fail to make a significant contribution to the welfare of your country, your responsibility shall be great indeed.

In order faithfully to discharge this heavy responsibility, you must be men who love your nation and people, men of integrity and clear conscience, combining patience and humility. Be unswerving in your loyalty to your country which has given you so much and to which so much is due. Place your faith and trust in Almighty God; for, without His assistance and guidance, man is a weak and puny creature.

JULY 17, 1958

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SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS

.....It is these tender feelings of deep and silent admiration evoked from InI hearts by the beauties of creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.....

The ancient paintings that are still to be seen in the great monasteries and churches of Ithiopia, and the carvings in wood and stone which have come down to InI in the ruins of the ancient palaces, bear witness to the fact that the fine arts had attained a comparatively high degree of development even in very early times. Although the major portion of these works of art was destroyed in the wars that broke out from time to time, those that still remain in Lalibela, Gondar, Shoa, Gojjam and elsewhere fill the competent observer with a sense of wonder and admiration. Since these works of art are also closely related to the history of Ithiopia, the young artists of InI country who pursue these fine arts on modern lines can find occasion therein for legitimate pride.

InI have established this institution because InI consider it a matter of great importance to revise and develop the fine arts in InI country in a manner which will enable InI artists to combine the historical and traditional art of Ithiopia with the advantages of modern technical developments in the field.

When Ithiopian paintings and other works of art attain such a standard that they can be sent out of the country and can hold their own amidst exhibits from other countries, they can certainly help in the efforts to make Ithiopia known more widely as a nation fully participating in the spirit and the substance of modern civilization.

InI customary support shall always be forthcoming to similar efforts in the fields of music and literature as well.

A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is expected to bear fruit without flowering, and to sacrifice grace and beauty for mere utility. Those who learn here should from the beginning, sedulously avoid this spirit of utilitarianism. InI admiration for the Creator's handiwork should not be limited to those things He has provided InI with for InI daily needs, and should include all that is good and beautiful. It is these tender feelings of deep and silent admiration evoked from InI hearts by the beauties of creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.

As InI have stated time and again, it is easy to begin and hard to finish, and InI express on this occasion both InI happiness at what InI see here today, as well as InI strong hope to see this work which is now begun bearing fruit in the near future.

JULY 23, 1958

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OPENS H.S.I. MILITARY ACADEMY

.....When, in defending Free Ithiopia and her freeborn children from the detestable yoke of slavery, you learn to combine the spirit of heroism which you have inherited from your forefathers with the technical skill which you will acquire at this Academy, the faith and trust which InI and InI people have reposed in you will be fully justified, and you will, moreover, be able to be of help to InI brethren both far and near.....

Many years have elapsed since InI first planned the establishment of this Military Academy which InI inaugurate today. The Military College which InI instituted at Guennet in 1934 was intended to serve as the bridge towards the attainment of the goal which InI now see realized. Though the invasion of InI country interrupted this and the many other projects which InI had in those early days laid out for the development and progress of Ithiopia, InI can today offer unbounded thanks to Almighty God that InI have been permitted to witness the fulfillment of many of InI original projects.

InI have long recognized that raising the general level of education in Ithiopia required the opening of many institutions of higher learning, and that InI could not attain InI objectives unless this was accomplished and large numbers of InI people received extensive education. In this same spirit, InI have established this Military Academy in order that InI Armed Forces might acquire the advanced training in military science which is essential under the conditions created by modern civilization. The responsibility which devolves upon this institution is great indeed, for it is this Academy's task to impart to officer cadets the new skills and techniques by which, in modern warfare, the overwhelming numbers and military might of an enemy may be overcome.

InI forefathers, benefiting from the wiseness which Almighty God revealed to them in their time, fought with valour and heroism to preserve the freedom of InI country. To complement the valour and heroism which InI Armed Forces have inherited from them---qualities which no amount of military training can provide---there must now be provided mastery of the complex techniques of modern warfare. Strength may be useless where skill is required. A mature mind and a wealth of experience are needed to decide upon the time and place where strength and skill may be most effectively combined in battle. A military officer confronted with the task of carrying out an operation entrusted to him by his superiors, feeling the weight of the responsibility of devising the proper means of fulfilling his duty, will be able to call for assistance upon the training he has received in this institution, which, like a torch shedding light both forward and behind, will guide him in his work.

WORTH OF FREEDOM

All officer's duties, however, are by no means limited to ensuring that the soldiers under his command have received proper military training. He must be able to convey to his men the full significance of the tasks assigned to them, so that their hearts and spirits, as well as their bodies, will be enlisted to their fulfillment. He must, in order to defend his country's material wealth and natural resources from the invader, also have a deep overstanding of the true worth of freedom, which he is called upon to defend, and unless his mind is guided by these higher values, he will not measure up to the high standard expected of him.

Today, while man still remains incapable of controlling his insatiable lust for power and wealth and persists in using force as a means for satisfying his desires, his ability to wreak destruction on his fellow-men is steadily increasing. Technology and science have produced in abundance the weapons whereby human life can be wiped off the face of the earth. In the face of these conditions, it is not enough that InI young men be brave, and prepared, when necessary, to sacrifice themselves for their principles and ideals. When those who would thrust the world into the holocaust of war are to be deterred from aggressive action it can only be by the threat of a counterblow poised to strike should the need arise InI have considered it InI duty, therefore, to train InI Armed Forces in the modern techniques of defence so that InI people might be spared from the ravages of this most terrible of plagues. It is for these reasons that InI have caused this military Academy to be established and have come here today to inaugurate this institution.

The faithful and enlightened services to be rendered by the officer cadets who will study here and who, upon their graduation, will assume the command of InI Armies in the field, will, InI sincerely trust, constitute an impregnable bulwark against those who would violate Ithiopia's glorious tradition of liberty which, for centuries, has been handed down from generation to generation. The officers who will graduate from this institution must be constantly aware that Ithiopia shares in the responsibility of assuring the collective security of the world. Every country that has to struggle for its freedom will naturally look to other freedom-loving nations for assistance in their efforts. InI would, therefore, be pleased to see students from InI neighbouring nations in Africa benefit from the instruction that is being imparted at this Military Academy.

TASKS STRENUOUS

InI would have you realize, you future officers standing in proud ranks before InI, that the tasks which await you will be strenuous and heavy. The words "Learn to obey that you may learn to command" must be engraved on your hearts. Unless one is faithful, no one can trust him. When, in defending Free Ithiopia and her free-born children from the detestable yoke of slavery, you learn to combine the spirit of heroism which you have inherited from your forefathers with the technical skill which you will acquire at this Academy, the faith and trust which InI and InI people have reposed in you will be fully justified, and you will, moreover, be able to be of help to InI brethren both far and near.

The mastery of modern techniques and methods of warfare calls for unremitting study, constancy of purpose, and intellectual attainments of the highest order. Modern military science, in this nuclear age, is a perpetual spring, and the officers who graduate from this Academy must continue their pursuit of military knowledge long after they have taken place in the field.

Humanity has long dreamed of and anxiously waited for the day when the world would be rid of the plague of war. However, when an aggressor, driven by insatiable appetites and voracious desires, sets out to violate the freedom of a neighbouring land and enslave its people, the latter must inevitably seek to repel the invader with all the heroism and bravery at their disposal. When the invader would only refrain from aggression and seek to resolve by peaceful means whatever quarrels and misunderstandings that exist, surely both sides would be prepared to make their share of the sacrifices necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement. InI, in InI lifetime, have laboured unceasingly for the creation of the conditions essentially prerequisite to the establishment of an enduring peace. InI take great pleasure in the knowledge that InI Country, Ithiopia has become a symbol of hope and freedom to InI brethren in all the African countries.

MUST BE VIGILANT

Today, when the itch of war is spreading like an epidemic over the world, and the threat of armed conflict, with all the evil that this portends for men everywhere, hangs heavy over the earth, casting its dark shadow on humanity, men of honour, wherever they may be, must be vigilant in defence of their freedom, so that they may be spared suffering and humiliation. InI, when InI fail to make adequate preparations for defence, will be held to have failed both in InI responsibility to InI and in InI duty to aid in the preservation of world peace.

The pages of InI country's history shine with the deeds of soldiers, who, in the spirit of heroism inherited from their forebears, fought in a just cause and for the preservation of peace, as well as those soldier-statesmen, who---in time of peace---laboured for the preservation of humanity's great ideals and values. It is the example of such men that you who study here should emulate. Your duty is to study their history and to record it for the benefit of future generations.

InI express InI thanks to all who have laboured zealously to carry out InI plans and commands for the establishment of this Academy. InI would also extend InI special thanks to Prime Minister Nehru of India, who, in the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance existing between the peoples and Governments of InI two countries, selected and deputed a fine team of Indian officers to staff this institution, as also to Colonel Rawlley, the Commandant of the Academy.

OCTOBER 6, 1958

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