The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-19
DEBRA TABOR.

strOy ed by Fire by King TheodOrus OF
Ably Difficulties of the British
Advance-HOw the African Ruler Ap-
peared at HeAdquarters-LiSt OF HIS
Captives In the Burned Camp.
The commander of the British expedition ad-
vancing towards the interior of Abyssinla has
been informed from Masso Wah that King Theo-
dorus having heard OF the hostile landing and
march, has taken the decisive step of firing and
burning Debra Tabor, the seat OF royal resi-
dence and camp, next alter Gondar, the second
imperial city, and the place where, according to
our latest mail advices, he held the majority of
the Christian capuves IN conhnement BY this
decisive step the African ruler gives indication
that he may be found equal to the emergency,
as were the Russians in Moscow after the con-
quest of Napoleon l.
Debra Taoor stood on the summit OF noun
tain from which the river Gotta flows to the Nile.
1t contained a fortress OF very considerable
strength, aud IN this building the greater bulk
of the treasures OF the king was deposited. This
is represented as of immense value, particularly
since the defeat and plunder of his powerful
enemy Oubia. IL was a favorite place OF resi-
dence with the Abyssinian monarch, and there
he had fixed his military headquarters and
camp From this point he commanded Magdaia,
place very difficult OF access, at which ne had
organized another camp, and where be lmprl-
soned the next greatest portion OF ms @ @captlves.
places the first great difficulty in the way of the
kngllsh. This difficulty begins on the table
land, which the English have now evidently
reached, 1t being divided and cut in two by a
great quantity of very deep raviues with water
streams, so that there is hardship in communi-
cation from one portion of the land to the
other. The Kings camp being at Debra
at Magdala, action will evidently be
towards the south, and on the news of an army
having invaded the country, the King would
almost certainly change his residence and block
himself uplat Magdala with his prisoners, so
as to induce the enemy to approach Magdala,
and then make retreat to Kuara, taking his
prisoners with him. For him 1t would be very
easy work; not so for the invading army, the
road from Magdala to Debra Tabor being inter.
sected by many deep and steep ravines.
Jourheying in Abyssinia, laden camels take
ffteeh days from Zella to Hurrar aud fifteen
from Hurrar to Ankooer, but messengers take
about eight days for each of the distances From
Ankober to Magdaa IS six days, From Magdala
to DebIa Tabor FIVE days. From Debra Tabor to
Gondar, the chief seat of rule, three days.
European traveller who had audience of the
King, or Emperor, both at Debra Tabor and
Magdala, describes him as seen in camp thus:-
His look is lively and piercing; the distinct lines
of the profile well express the 6rm will which
has enthralled the freest and least docile peo ole
of the East. Rigorous towards others in matters
of etiquette, the Negus has emancipated himself
iu matters of costume, and affects negligence
which, however, never becomes bad taste. A
simple soldiers coat, pair of trowsers, aud q
belt from which hang pistols, and an English
dered toga--ibis is his habitual costume.
1t has sometimes happened that Euro
peans presented to him have hesitated among
The crowd of silk pourpOints (balakamis) which
surround him, and committed mistakes which
| have much diverted him. This disdain of all
| luxury governs all his acts. The furniture oil
his tent is OF the simplest, while his residences
| at Magdala aud Debra Tabor are encumbered
with silks and stuffs from France and india.
| In the field he wears the coarse black infan-
| try buckler, while by his side trots the page
| charged with his state shield covered with blue
| velvet, scattered with Imperial lilies. That
| which at first is the most striking in Theodore
is happy combustion Of suppleness and
| force, especially of force. Born proud, violent
| and inclined to pleasure, he commands his pas
| sions IN this sense--that they never make him
overstep the limits he has marked out for him
| self.p
The latest mail reports give the following lIsl
| of names OF the prisoners held by Theodorns al
Debra Tabor, with their positions in life at the
| time of arrest:- II. Rosenthal, missionary; Mrs
| Sterne, MIS-. Rosenthal, Mr.. Flad, missionary
Mrs. Flad and three children, W. steiger, mis-
sionaIy; I. Brandels, missionary; X. Schiller
natural history collector; j. Essler natural his
| tory collector. One Polish artisan, twelve Ger.
man artisans (Theodore's artisans for making
gnns, etc.), lately, not Imprisoned, bat guarde 4
! All these persons were made captive in the yeal
| 1894 N y Herald