EL MUNDO (Puerto Rico)
W.K. Mayo, 28th of February 1967 pag. 7
Translation from Spanish
“SELASSIE OF ETHIOPIA: EMPEROR AND KNIGHT
When few days ago, the Emperor of Ethiopia reached Washington in official visit, President Johnson has received him at the door of the White House, saying: ‘It is a great honor for me to receive the visit of a personality as honorable as Your Majesty’.
In the words of President Johnson there was not any emphasis of protocol, nor diplomatic flattery. They were spontaneously sincere.
Haile Selassie, the Lion of Judah, historical relic of a past that is lost in the legends’ mist – Solomon and the Queen of Sheba -, is today without doubt the world figure with the highest personal relevance.
In a time of democratization and republicanism, of industrial progress, of modernization, Haile Selassie, absolute king, is the keystone of a pre-historic feudal regime. And, despite this, all the world respects him.
Africa, since about 15 years, has been agitated by a tremendous revolution. Colonies have been liberated. There have been convulsions, uprisings, military coups, civil wars… Only Ethiopia remains calm, like an island in the middle of a rough sea.
In the last 25 years, the furious gale of history has swept away figures like Hitler and Mussolini, Victor Emmanuel and Faruk, Stalin and Krushev, Peron and Batista, Lumumba and Krumah … In turn, Haile Selassie continues unharmed upon his throne of Lion of Judah.
Why ? Because this weedy little man is temperamentally a giant.
In 1935-36, when all the world humiliated itself before Hitler and Mussolini, Haile Selassie accomplished the feat of confronting fascism.
(…)
He struggled with staffs and stones against a modernly equipped army… He seemed like a Don Quixote. And he was. A black Don Quixote.
He lost the battle, but won the war.
Haile Selassie is a memorable historic myth in this second half of the 20th century.
This was the meaning of the words of President Johnson, that he said few day ago, in the porch of the White House.
The United States also owes a special debt of gratitude to the Emperor of Ethiopia.
Although old, he was one of the few heads of state who came to Washington, in the mournful days of late November 1963, to attend the funeral of President Kennedy.
The funeral procession, from the Capitol to the Arlington cemetery, thanks to the TV, the whole world witnessed it. Haile Selassie was there.
Now, having finished his official duties, he came especially to New York to visit a certain person…
The newspapers published on the front page the photograph of Haile Selassie, received by Jacqueline Kennedy, at the door of her house, in the Fifth Street.
That an Emperor moves to pay a tribute to a lady, it reflects three things: the change of times, the caliber of the lady and the integrity of the visitor.
Haile Selassie, in addition to being the Lion of Judah, he is a great knight (gentleman).”