New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-28
DEATH OLE KING THEODORE.

The war in Abyssinia has been short and
sharp, and, if the news by telegraph OF the
death OF King Theodore be correct, has
doubtless proved decisive. According to
the dispatch battle was fought on Coed
Friday before Magdala, in which the Abys-
sinians were defeated, and after which they
retreated into the town with heavy loss.
General Napier ordered an assault the fol
lowing Monday that resulted in the death
of the King and many of his warriors, the
British loss being small and the entire
capital remaining in possession Of their
forces.
This short and brilliant war affords a
new illustration of the immense superiority
of the civilization of Western Europe over
the semi-barbarism of the East. England
carries on war with the aid of steam, the
telegraph, improved artillery, breech-load-
ers, and all the wonderful appliances OF
modern warfare. The result is that few
thousand Europeans have utterly routed
and driven to the wall the armies of King
Theodore. which were not to be despised
either on account Of numbers or disci-
pline,
| This short war affords also an additional
! illustration of the enormous power and
resources of England. 1t is the fifth war
she has waged in the far East during the
last fifteen years; first in the Crimea, then
in China, India, Persia, and lastly in Abys-
sinia, and in every one with the same re-
suit.
1t is said that General Napier will imme-
diately return to England. This may be
so, but the British will not be in haste to
abandon Abyssinia 1t is on the eastern
route to China by way of the now almost
completed ship canal of Suez. 1t is near
the strongly fortified isle of Alden and not
far from the British possessions in India.
Abyssinia has some of the best cotton
growing territory on the upper Nile. Ten
years ago we saw in the SHADOW of the
Great Pyramid boat load of natives fresh
from Abyssinia-a wide-awake fell
lows, black as jet, but of perfect Caucasian
features, like the Abyssinian maids "
then exposed in the slave markets Of Grand
Cairo, and all of them clothed, so far as
their clothing went in Manchester cottons.
Abyssinia will not only raise cotton for
England, but furnish an immense market
for her manufactures. England will not,
we apprehend, be in haste to abandon the
conquered territory.
Abyssinia, it will be remembered, is
identified with many of the oldest tradi-
tions, "reminiscences, and relics of eiViliza-
ton in the far East. The Abyssinian
Church is one Of the most ancient in Chris
tendon, and possesses one of the seven
chapels in the Church of the Holy Sepul-
chre at Jerusalem. When the curse of do
nestle slavery, and the still greater curse
of the slave trade are removed, and bar
barism shall give place to order and law,
as in India, Abyssinia will recover her
ancient renown, and make wonderful strides
in civilization.
We are thankful that the war has been so
short This is in fact the era of short wars.
The curtain rises; the trumpets sound; the
armies advance; the battle RACES; the terri
BILE king, the barbarian who wanted to
marry Victoria, and because she rejected
his suit shut up her subjects in prison, is
slain; the prisoners are set free; justice is
vindicated, and the wicked perish. Is not
the whole thing more like theatrical show
than brilliant piece of Eastern history?