New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-15
ITALY on TIE RED SEA.

The Italian Government continues to make
extensive preparations for campaign on the
Red Sea. The landing of troops at Massowah
has been followed by offers of cooperation with
the British Oh the Abyssinian frontier and by
pacific overtures to King Johannes and by in
vitations to open trade routes to the coast Re
Inducements have teen rapidly sent from
Naples and the movement in favor of colonial
extension has suddenly become popular
throughout Italy. The English alliance is
hailed by all parties at Rome as a triumph OF
practical craftsmanship. This new departure
in diplomatic and National policy ought not to
excite surprise Activity in foreign affairs is a
tradition handed down from the time OF
Cavour. The feeble State that Unexpectedly
sent a contingent to the Crmea was admitted
to the next European Congress. This was the
real beginning of Italian unity, and the present
| greatness of the Nation dates from that cam
paign of adventure with the Western Powers as
allies. From that time Ministries at Rome have
never neglected an opportunity for displaying
| activity in European councils. First 1t was q
French alliance and then German coalition ;
and now that the Great Powers are in the race
for colonial extension, an English alliance is
readily accepted.
| MassOwah is one of the most promising
| centres of trade on the Red Sea and with the
exception of Suakim it possesses the best har-
Dor. The population is made up of Soudanese,
| Arabs and blacks, with sprinklng of Calais.
| The harbor is already well defended and can
| easily be made impregnable by European en-
| gineers The Importance of the town consists
| In the close vicinity of Abyssinia. The Italian
| Government soon after occupying Assab Bay
! sent an embassy to King Johannes and offered
| to establish trade route from the colony to his
dominions His sable majesty graciously re-
ceived the presents that were offered to him. but
declined to look favOrably upon the projected
road across broad uninhabitable desert.
Massowah is the natural gateway to Abyssinia
from the sea- and King Johannes has long been
suspected of cOveting it, although it was
| difficult to understand what use this monarch
| of the mountains Of the Blue Nile would make
of q seaport The Italian traders will find it,
| however, most convenient base Of operations
| if they are now encouraged by King Johanncss
subjects to penetrate inland. The coast line
from Massowah to Assab Bay will be an annex
alton of considerable magnitude. The COM
mercial Importance of this colonial enterprise
cannot be very great Still Massowah gives
promise of future.
The relations of the Italian Government to
| Abyssina will render this military and COM
mercal movement as interesting as the French
invasion of Tonquin. Massowah itself is an
Egyptian town, and nominaly is under the
sovereignty Of the Sultan. The tribes sur
rounding the town are Independent and have
| been able to defend themselves against assaults
| from the mountains. They are not subjects Of
the King of Abyssinia. Indeed, Mr.. Rassam
insists that there is no kingdom even in the
mountains, but only great tract inhabited by
Independent tribes, among whom the so-called
King of Kings moves at the head of a plumber
ing horde His Majesty probably has his own
ideas about the utility of trade routes.