The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-01
The British AbysSinIan Expedition.

Mr.. Chandler, of Michigan, perpetrated Q
joke Of questionable ta<e, by Offering, on Fri
day, in the United States Senate, parody on
a proclamation issued b the British govern
ment on the l4lh of May 1s6l, or rather YER
batim copy Of that proclamation, simply
changing the name of the "United States" to
"Great Britain" and the Confederate States"
TO "Abyssinia," and Submitting 1t as joint
resolution, declaring th) impartial neutrality Of
the United States in t5e impending hostilities
between Great Britai3 and Abyssinia. War
between Queen victqa1a's government and that
Of Emperor Theo5orus has been actually
entered upon, as ths new income tax Of a penny
in the pound for fEear to come must have in
formed all EnglisAS sn. And the HERALD re-
printed yesterday, from the Ansley Bay cores
pondence October ~ Of the London Times,
q graphic account Of the landing Of the English
advance brigade. This brigade pioneers vast
armament, under the command of General Sir
Robert Napier, who, after winning renown In
China, India and Persia, Is to seek fresh laurels
in Eastern Africa. Some two hundred steam
ers and transports, with the main body Of the
army, consisting of ten thousand men Of all
arms, and perhaps a. many more followers,
may have already landed on the shores Of
Ansley Bay, or the Bay Of Adults, which has
been called the "Key Of Abyssinia," and which
has not witnessed such q congreg alton Of
vessels and troops since, a. . London
journal reminds Us, the Emperor Eles-
boas, with the cooperation Of his ally,
the Roman Emperor Justinian, fitted out
a feet for the transport Of seventy thou
sand Abyssinians into Arabia, Of which country
he subjugated the whole coast, from Leuke
Kome TO Sabea, gaining the complete mastery
in the Red Sea. The British troops, however,
will find IL easier to land than 10 penetrate to
the mountain Businesses, among which their
willy foe can hide. Indeed, the correspond
ence which we yesterday reprinted concludes
with q report from Colonel Merewether, Of
the pioneer expedition, chat no route exists
where he has explored available for the march
Of an army" This Is rather Q discouraging
commencement for hostile. undertaking on SO
grand SCALE But if nature and the cunning
Of Theodorus do not overmstch British energy,
courage and porseverence--if, In nne, Abys-
sinia is conquered, we may expect even more
important results than putting an end to tho
tyranny Of the cruel adventurer who claims 10
be the Theodorus Of prophecy, and releasing
tho British captives. The presence Of the
English In Abyssinia may tend to restore "this
fair and so long neglected country" to Its
ancient rank among civilized and powerful
Christian nations The war against Theodorus
may open. at no remote date, new and
hitherto almost unexplored field for science
for commercial enterprise, for Christiansation
and future colonization In the fertile and
healthy highlands which, according 70 tradi
ton and the testimony Of natives and such
heroic travellers as Baker and bis wife, exist
In that part Of the African Continent Thus
war sometimes may have is high and holy