OPENS H.S.I. MILITARY ACADEMY
…..
If, in defending Free Ethiopia 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 We and Our people have
reposed in you will be fully justified, and you will, moreover, be able to be
of help to our brethren both far and near …..
Many
years have elapsed since We first planned the establishment of this Military
Academy which We inaugurate today. The Military College which We instituted at
Guennet in 1934 was intended to serve as the bridge towards the attainment of
the goal which We now see realized. Though the invasion of Our country
interrupted this and the many other projects which we had in those early days
laid out for the development and progress of Ethiopia, We can today offer
unbounded thanks to Almighty God that We have been permitted to witness the
fulfillment of many of Our original projects.
We
have long recognized that raising the general level of education in Ethiopia
required the opening of many institutions of higher learning, and that We could
not attain our objectives unless this was accomplished and large numbers of Our
people received extensive education. In this same spirit, We have established
this Military Academy in order that Our 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.
Our
forefathers, benefiting from the wisdom which Almighty God revealed to them in
their time, fought with valour and heroism to preserve the freedom of Our
country. To complement the valour and heroism which Our 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 understanding 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 our young men be brave, and prepared, if necessary, to
sacrifice themselves for their principles and ideals. If 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. We have considered it Our duty, therefore, to train Our Armed Forces in
the modern techniques of defence so that Our people might be spared from the
ravages of this most terrible of plagues. It is for these reasons that We 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 Our
Armies in the field, will, We sincerely trust, constitute an impregnable
bulwark against those who would violate Ethiopia’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 Ethiopia 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. We would, therefore, be pleased to see students from our
neighbouring nations in Africa benefit from the instruction that is being
imparted at this Military Academy.
Tasks
Strenuous
We
would have you realize, you future officers standing in proud ranks before Us,
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. If, in defending Free Ethiopia 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 We and Our people have reposed in you will be fully justified, and you
will, moreover, be able to be of help to our 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. If 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 sacrifices necessary to achieve a
peaceful settlement. We, Ourselves, in Our lifetime, have laboured unceasingly
for the creation of the conditions essentially prerequisite to the
establishment of an enduring peace. We take great pleasure in the knowledge
that Our Country, Ethiopia has become a symbol of hope and freedom to our
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. We, Ourselves,
if We fail to make adequate preparations for defence, will be held to have
failed both in Our responsibility to Ourselves and in Our duty to aid in the
preservation of world peace.
The
pages of Our 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.
We
express Our thanks to all who have laboured zealously to carry out Our plans
and commands for the establishment of this Academy. We would also extend Our
special thanks to Prime Minister Nehru of India, who, in the spirit of
friendship and mutual assistance existing between the peoples and Governments
of Our 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.
Oct.
6, 1958.
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 623 - &
Speeches delivered by His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Ist Emperor of Ethiopia on various occasions -
page 52 -
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