New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-20
ABYSSINIA.
SIR II. NAPIER's RETROSPECT OF THE ABYssINIAN
EXPEDITION.

SIR II. NAPIER's RETROSPECT OF THE ABlssINIAN
EXPEDITION.
The following is an extract from the inter
esting dispatch from r. Napier 10 the Secretary Of
state for India. published among the Parliamentary
papers upon Abyssnia:
"CoMMASpER.IS CHIEFS OFFICE,
Political DEPARTMENT, SUEz June H. 1868
"sm have the honor 70 report my arrival NJ sueI ~
Tins terminated think Il right make few obserya
lions the political condition OF tho country IN when
The circumstances Of Abyssnla at tho date OF my
headquarters reaching Apnesey Bay were reported ~ ,s
making itself felt only within very crcumscE1bcd
limit, was nevertheless greater thah was wa
merely by his prestige far less by any feel
ngs Of superstuOus kind which the peone held regard
ING him. His prestige was doubt, immense. but he
was stil in possession Of the material which had chiefly
aided him IN acquiring ms asce9daney VIZ ms artsry
very difficult n not impossible for any OF the Abysslan
princes 10 oppose him successfully without cannon lne
greater chiefs no doubt hated him cordially but az the
same time they hated another quite rs heartily as
thew did their common MASTER and do not think they
were capable OF combining against him. Perhaps they
would rather have submitted 10 ms rule detestable as
that was to them than have helped 10 set up one Of
themselves In his place. think, too perceived In the
country a spirit which wiser cOurse OF action on The0
Gores part might have enabled him to take advantage OF
even AT the last hour Of the petcr chiefs such
as VALDEZ Yasoos OF Woderat, showed khd OF prlde
IN the EmperOrs exploits. which might nave ed 70 an al
lance being formed between those two somewhat KIN
dred spirits against The circumstance already re-
ported OF Masteeat, the Gala queen hctuhy eehuine
presents 10 Theodorus and soliciting his friendship few
weeks before reached Magdaa, Is another instance OF
the same kind These should not be lost sght OF ny
those who think that TheOdores power was virtually Al
an end when landed at ZOulla. His march from De
bra Tabor to Magdala In no sense retreat Inc
greater portion OF his field artillery was in the latter
fortress and he naturally wished 10 have II az ms com
mand the prospect OF our attacking him HIS burning
Zebra Tabor before he left IL was simply the uhneht ol
threat he had made that II OF his chiefs VINO had
deserted him did not return he would destroy Debra
Tabor the property In large measure OF the chef al
uded TO- Although TheOdOrus not strong enough to
prevent insurrecOn In parts OF his kingdom where he
was not actually present yet believe he had only to
show himself In any district Of Abyssina IN order 10 have
his supremacy in that particular locality recognized ut
$500. 49,, .--
ION the whole It may be said that the effect OF our ex
petition the political aspect OF Abyssnia mas been inc
following The province Of Tigre, which we lOuhd just
struggling into Independence, has been somewhat
strengthened and settled by Wagsh0Om GODaze, VINO
at the date OF arrival was attempting hopeless OPP
position TO TheOdOrus should now be able to establish
his position. TheOdOrus had acquired by conquest a
sovereignty which he knew only how to abuse. lie was
not strong enough protect the people from other OPP
pressors while yet able TO plumber and cruelty into
every district be himself might visit fail 10 discover
single point OF view from which IL possible to regard
his removal with regret think IL may be said that the
object OF the expedition has been accomplished without
the rights OF any OF the princes chiefs OF the country
having been nterfered with by and that the prospect
OF Abyssnia enjoying tranquility at this day farer than
II was at the date when our army landed on the coast
have, &c. ROBERT NAPIER. Llcutenant-General
Commando lin Chief"