The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-06
ABYSSIRlA.

The Points Of Entrance to and March in the
Emperor's Territory.
The following communication has been addressed to
Colonel Merewsather by w. Munzinger, tho French
Vice Consul at Massowah The Information contained
in it is the result Of q journey from Amphla TO the
Abyssinan plateau, undertaken By Mr. Munznger in
June OF the present year. at The express Invitation Of
Colonel Mereweather, and becomes Of much interest
now that the English expedition has sailed:-
Abyssnia has many easy entrances There oblique
plains and successive terraces bringing up TO the hg
table and-through tho Afar country to Adsdi; from
Tudjurra to Hayk; from Msssowah to Kajakor; from
Sogos 20 Hamaseu; from the Baika to Adjabo &c. The
difficulty begins on the table land Il being divided and
cut in pieces BY great quantity OF deep ravnes
with wator streams, that there Is great difficulty ia
communication from one portion Of the table land to
the prisoners at Magiaia action will evidently Do d.
roctcd towards the SOUTH but cannot but suppose that
having invaded the country. the King VIII change his
residence. Most probably he will block himself up at
viii stay his present residence so as to induce the
eFonly approach hagdala aud then make q retreat
TO R%a "a taxing his prisoners win tn him 70, him
from hagdaa 10 Zebra Tabor bong intesected by many
deep and steep ravncs repeat that It is the less prob
ac,e superstition, because the King at present
position to expect from his soldiers the devotednoss the
iatigues Of such retreat would require But never
iheess il may not be wholly useless TO calculate its
The principal direction being so fixed towards Magdals
thore is option between the two roads The first is
tina, which would bring an army quickly possible
10 tho high table land the edge Of which should be pur
ond, along the great line OF the mountains prontng BY
tho terraces which accompany steadily the highlands
, wi begin oy examining me hrst road The shortest
or from Massowah TO Tokunda. As for the start
ing points there Is =. no great differences between
miles aud has more water, but has good landing
place Both roads join at the river Hadass which offers
very road till the ascents OF TokundA From To.
kunda Till Lake Hayk the road follows the edge OF the
tsocland. 5000 to 1000 feet high with very little
senatey, Addlgrat rsheiikut, woodjerat and Hayk,
which IS only three journeys distant from Masdala II
is useless to quote hcrs itineraries have collected
about this road because the distance could not be
ascertained and happily they will not be needed, be-
no dicul,, narrow or steep passages Il s we'll cult.
y y wei, peoPled and has cold healthy climate
already described the first part OF IT, but permit myself
TO make here observations about its practcabty.
During summer It would certainly be dangerous under
taking 10 bring body OF soldiers salt Plain
the line from Boka coast to Roguey would then DO pre-
ferabe, but from December there would DO great
difficulty
From Hanhla to Ddik there are water and wood The
narrow passage OF Didik would easily DO mended in
few hours Tue great difficulty would be tho section Of
the road from Ddik 10 the edge OF the Salt Plain,
cepting heavy rains had fallen The water on both
sides OF the plain is drinkabc. The road ia as have
described, very rough, but the stones can easily be
thrown aside. From Magdala upwards the roads leave
nothing 70 be desired From Aya to the first villages
half Of the road Is made difficult by three ascents after
which the plains Of the Doda reached, extending
| 10 near Hayk, the. road pursuing an immense plain,
full Of villages and rich In water and vegetation Ashang
which lies two thousand feet higher would be left to tie
right The Azeoo country appears three thousand
four thousand feet above the reach Hawk there
Is very high ascent and then the road Joins that
OF the highland IL the two roads compared, will
DO seen that each has It's peculiar advantage Tho
road brings an army al once without any fatigue from
sun or climate, TO green aud cold highland, i'm
advantage for European soldiers II goes through
well pooplsd and well cultivated country, whore, the
nrst antpathy being overcome, most victuas might
easily DO procured u goes through Abyssina proper,
IL has however tho great disadvantage that II IL not t
for prolonged came transportnotf from the difcutss
OF tho terraces, but from its climate which IL cold and
dewy while the country poor In thorn t 70 feed
cattle upon II would DO an excellent road FOR mules,
bullocks, &C.
IA to the lower road IL has many disadvantages Most
OF II goes through very thiny peoped hot, barren
country where nothing IL 10 be got excepting meat
qure several forced marches The tribes OF the country
live without government laws religion But s great
advantage 10 that oamels laden at Handla viii reach
Hayk, and even Santa without difficulty and will sup
port themselves through the whole country Besides
that advantage part OF the road being Egyptian and
the resi- belongng TO great number Of small chiefs
would DO easy TO keep communications open witnout
military occupation. The Egyptian government would
protect is portion until the Salt Plain reached and
the chiefs on the other side would be easily won oy
small presents am persuaded tbas the occupation o.
the salt markets. natural consequence OF the ROAD
lying close by-yould make q great impression on the
Abyssinan people, who would feel that an important
part Of their very life had fallen into the hands Of
invaders In conclusion cannot but prefer tho rcut
70 Hannla In the winter time very small division Of
the army would suce 10 60 10 Masdala the rees would
might suggest be better encampsd u sen o. near
all a 4 &ana