, 1877-12-26
EGYPT AMI ABYSSINIA.

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The relation between King John of Abys-
sinia and the Egyptians at Hammassin and
MSssowah are in q very unsettled and unsatls-
factory state. Since the recent complete
victory obtained by King John over King
Menelek, the two monarchs have become great
friends, and exchanged visits at Gondsr.
Menelek Ia said to have shown his victor proof,
mat In declaring war against him be was In
stIgated to do so by Ratib Pasha last year. and
that he was supplied with arms and promised
assistance from the direction of Tig6. Sever
al OF King Johns superior officers and chiefs
had taken brides from Ratib Pasha, and these
were Immediately shot. The revelation of
these unpleasant matters and previous breaches
OF faith on the part Of the Egyptians are rot
likely to assist Gordon Pasha in his Degotia-
tions with King John. The surrender Of the
rebel traitor, WaIda MikaiI, is again insisted
on, and, il Dot complied with, King John threa-
tens to march into the disturbed Egyptian
territory and capture him. The Governor
OF Massowah on being applied TO, replies that
he has no troops 10 send after this troublesome
free lance, and that he would gladly give him
up II he could, as he is devastating the pro-
vince OF Hamassin, and levying black mail on
MS own account, the Egyptian authori-
lies In those parts being unable to pay
him some small subsidy due from them,
Johannes has all along stipulated for a port Oh
t6e Red Sea, and it is thought he will be
o1ered Zoola by Gordon Pasha. Whether the
arrangement will suit bis Majesty, whose am
bltion scars a g little higher up the sea-" re-
mains to be proved. Suleiman Pasha, the
commander-in-chief of the Army of he Soudan,
who has been at Cairo on leave Of absence,
has returned to MassoWah somewhat suddenly
at Colonel Gordou's request, and awaits the
Pasha's arrival from Khartum. If the mears
at Gordon's disposal were equal to the powers
conferred on him on paper this lOng-delayed
settlement of terms between Johannes and the
Egyptians would soon be arranged, but a man
OF Gordon Pasha's character is 10th to propose
and promise what he is moisture will be carried
Out. The rains will prevent any move on tho
part OF the Abyssinians for some months, but
unless the demands of Johannes are Tea
sonably met by next spring fresh troubles are
probably In store for Egypt. Johannes would
seem to be sincere in his wish for peace, or
with a victorious army Of seventy or eighty
thousand men, most of them well armed, he
would not have much difficulty in giving any
force Che Egyptians could briug against him a
second edition Of his attack on the ShoSites.
In the recent fight between Johannes and
Menelek, in the Black Mountains. the latter is
reported to have lost $4,000 men killed and
wounded, TO- 900 men made prisoners, a large
quantity Of ammunition aud stores, and 100000
dollars. The battle lasted thirty hours, and,
ALLOW wing for some exaggeration, the punish
ment received by Mepelek was SO terribly
e%fectual, that be was sensible enough TO avoid
a repetition, ard to seek for peace at once.
The two Kings are now on the most friendly
terms, and their united armies are not to be des-
pissed. Well armed and well led as they are,
in their own mountains and valleys doubt if
at any time an equal number Of Egyptian
troops would he a match for them. And as
there is no chance of Egypt ever being able to
send a quarter Of the number Of soldiers now
under arms at Gondar, if any fighting takes
place it will not be difficult to forecast the
result.-Daily Nc'Os.