The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-05-20
History Of King Theodo Origin of the War.

History Of King Theodore--0rigin Of the War
KING Theodorus or Theodore, of Abyssinia, with
whose name and recent history every reader OF news
papers throughout the world has become familiar IN
consequence of his war with England mas oeen SIAM
at the stormng of his capital Magdala by the English
army The original name of Theodore was Dejalmatch
Kasal He was born of humble parentage in Quarrel,
on the borders of Western Amhara and was educated
in convent in which he was placed under restraint
by his mother. He escaped from the convent to his
uncle Deiatch Comfu, noted rebel, with whom ne
imbibed taste for warke pursuits and eventually
became ruler of large portion of Abyssnia Natu-
rally ambitious and polite, he succeeded in enlargns
his authority steadily at the expense OF the otneF
" Ras" or Chiefs of Abyssinia His power especially
increased when in 1853 he defeated his fatheralaw,
Ras Ali and took him prisoner. At length, III 1875,
he felt himself strong enough to formally claim the
throne of all Abyssina, and he was crowned as such
BY the Abuna Saama, the head OF the Abyssinan
Church. His reign soon proved to be the most etec-
tive Abyssnia had ever had. As as he came In
to power, his attention directed to the importance
of being on of friendship with the government
which rules India, and which has established itself in
the neghboring strong hold of Adeh He, therefore,
resolved to the rights assured to him by virtue
of the treaty made between Great Britain and Abys-
sina in the year lS49 and ratified in 1852 in which
it was stipulated that each State should receive am
bassadors from the other. Mr.. Plowden, who had
been for many years English Consul at Massowah, al
though not accredited agent to Abysslna, went to
that country with presents for the people in authority
and remained during a which broke out at the
cession of Theodore Unfortunately, Mr.. PIowden,
WHO bad succeeded in winning the favor of the EN-
peror to large extent, killed. and his successor,
Mr. Cameron, was informed soon after his arrival in
1862, by the King, that he desired to carry out the
above mentioned treaty; he wrote an autograph
letter to Queen Victoria asking permission to send
an embassy to London. Although the letter reached
England in February, 1868, it remained unanswered
and the superstition is that this circumstance together
with quarrel with Mr.. Stern, missionary, who, in
book on Abyssinia, had spoken dsrespecttuy of the
King and who had demonstrated against the hogging
to death of two interpreters, reused the Kings temper
and year after having dispatched the unanswered
letter, be armed force to the missionary sta
tion seized the missionaries and put them in chains
He also cast Mr.. Cameron into prison, and had him
chained continually to Abyssinian soldier Great
excitement prevailed in England the arrival Of the
arrival of the of this outrage against British sub
iects; but in consideration of armed expedition
having to undergo many hardships in such warm
climate it was deemed best hv the English Govern
ment to use diplomacy in its efforts have the pris
oners released. It not until the second half of
August 1865, that Mr.. Russian, an Asiatc by BIRTH
was sent on special mission to the Abvssinian poten
tate and was received his arrival in February 1866
In truly magnificent STYLE the release of the prison
ers being at ordered by the King But the hope
thus raised to be disappointed, for when Mr.
Rassam and the other prisoners were just the point
of taking leave of the Emperor, they put under
arrest and notified that they would have TO remain in
the country State guests until answer could be
obtained to another letter which the King was going
to write to the Queen. Hypocrisy falseness and mem
dacity seem to have taken prominent part in the
character of King Theodore, for while he, in
tuOus letter the Queen, ostensbly attributed the de-
tenton of Mr.. Rassam to his wish of consulting with
him in what way the friendly relations of the English
and Abvssinian monarchies might be best extended
he treated the prisoners with lenency for short Pc
Rod but soon used rigorous toward his vic
tins. As for bis change of conduct he after
ward gave alleged report that English French and
Turkish troops their way to invade Abyssinia
Theodore's letter conveyed to England by Mr.
Flad, German missionary, who also the bearer
of a letter from Mr.. Rassam, in which he requested
that English artisans be sent to engage in the Abys
sinan service. The English Government engaged
artisans for the service, and having them
the coast of Abyssina, notified the King that they
would enter his territory if he would previously iber-
the captves. The condition not being complied
with, the artisans returned to England. After ex-
hausting all diplomatic resources to obtain from TheO
dore the release of the captives the English Govern
ment last year declared war against Theodore. The
war was Chiefly to be carried with the troops, Eu-
ropean and native which in India had become accus-
toned to the hot climate. The first English troops |
made their appearance in October, 1867, but it
not until the close Of the year that the whole Of the
army arrived. The expedition was commanded by |
Gen Sir Robert Napier heretofore commanding gen
eral at Bombay. Under him acted commanders of
divisions, Sir Chas. Steevely and Col Malcolm, while
Col. Merewether commanded the cavalry. The dis
from Massowah, the landing place of the troops
to Magdaa, the capital Of Theodore, is about three
hundred miles The English had to overcome great
difficulties, but they have them with re-
markable energy. King Theodore gradually retired
before the English without risAing battle until be
reached his capita Then he made stand and fought
bravely for his crown, but in vain; he defeated
the capital captured, and the King himself slain. King
tbcu pia no trrinr Ah,-St
snia has had according to English ac-
counts he ezceed in all manly pursuits, and his gen.
era manner polite and engaging. Had he avoided
this foolish quarrel with England and proceeded on
the way of reform which he entered upon in the be-
ginning of his reign, he would probably have played
important part in the political regeneration of Eastern
Africa.