New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-04

ani through which much Of its trade must neces-
glrily pass has long been a bone Of contention be-
tween the Abyssinians and their Mahometan
neighbors. especially since the former are Chris
tians their Abuna. archbishop being ordained by
the C0ptic Patriarch in Alexandria. Massowah,
the only place for many miles round worthy OF the
name Of a town, is built a coral island In the
Bay II Arklko. 1t originally belonged TO Turkey,
and was annexed TO Egypt in 1856 part Of Annesley
Bay being annexed the following wear. IL was oc-
cuped by the Italians, with the consent Of England
in 1850 l. about 1909 yards in length and 400 IN
breadth
Closely adjoining It IS another island Of about the
sane dimensions but Of more irregular outline,
called Tauud to which it is joined by stone cause
way Another causeway. about two-thirds or
mile in length constructed by MErz niger Pacha dur
ing his governorship connects Taulud in turn with
the mainland North Of the two Islands a couple Il
pennsuas project almost parallel with one another
from, the coast The southernmost Of these is called
Cheror and the space between it and the island Of
Massowah forms the port. II is on Gherar mat az
the outset the Government stores etc, required by
the italian troops We're landed at piers and "narVes
constructed with this object and here too are the
arsenal storehouses. magazine, coal depot and COM
mlssariat together with fort for their protection
The northernmost peninsula takes the name OF ADD
el-Kader. from the tomb Of Mussuiman worthy,
so-caed erected upon ii. and contains the nava ar
senal and the railway terminus. A capital pier mas
been completed for the transhipment OF stores
or merchandise. and fort has also been reared at
the shoreward end OF the peninsula.
TAULUD AND THE MASsOwAH.
Taulud contains little beyond some native huts
few houses. mainly of European construction built
since the occupation. a fort covering the causeway
leading TO the mainland. the military prison. the
officers club and the governor residence. This Is
a fairly mposing-lookng structure, built under the
the Egyptian regime with two-storied arcade run
l..frx 4 rnnN no
town of Massowah itself is massed, it were az
the end Of the island Of the same name. 1t Is
most wretchedy built and irregularly laid out
There are not more than dozen buildings with the
slightest architectural pretensions. the remainder
being mere stone boxes put together IN the rough
est fashion sometimes without mortar Mixed up
with these are numerous huts, formed Of sticks
planted upright In the ground and covered with
rush mats As these mats are never removed, the
Man being simply to clap extra one from time
10 time as needed the dirt and verrin they help
to generate are appalling The solitary bazaar Is
narrow winding gully, evil smelling to the ast de-
gree and lined with dirty little holes doing duty as
shops The other streets from eight feet 10 ten
feet wide though there IS one irregular open space
in the Of the town known. since the Italian
occupation. the Piazza Garibald, ana SURROUNDED
by a couple Of cafes. the same number o. liquor
shops toDacconist's, a butchers. and Few gen
era stores \ coupe OF small mosques with dumpy
custom house the carabineers barracks ana the
military hospital are the chief public buildings
France wanted Massowah badly. and was on the
point OF Selling when Italy got In anead OF her'
The European population Of the place Is largely
Greek The bulk OF the wholesale import trade and
especially in goods designed for consumption by the
European colony. is present carried on by ltal-
tns The Greeks however. not only keep most OF
the lquOr-shops and canteens, together IN severd
large retail stores. but with the Banians OF "hom
more anon. have most Of the direct dealings win
the natives in their hands Before the advent OF the
Italians indeed. they certainly held an important
position \ number OF them traded In person mo
Abvssina and the Soudan, and had even Ioime1
a settlement as far inland as keren. where they
had set TO work 70 grow tobacco As soon as '"'y
were established Massowah. the Italians sei OUT
10 secure for themselves the whole trade OF Abys-
s!nia and the Soudan
The year 1855 saw the italian troops hrmly e@tab-
.ished in ? literally mpregnable post at saaati
spot IN the Bogos country. twenty miles iniahi
from MassoWal with which % il directly connected
by a Inc OF railway and well-maie ROAD here
they constructed two forts. mounted vita heavy
guns and capable Of shelierng large garrison.
These forts are amply stored with provisions, NUM-
tons AMI water From Sahat two important trade
routes dverg.. The southernmost runs TO SABA
yuma and thence through Chinda and Asmara INTO
the heart OF Abyssinia The other route runs que
west TO Ailet ami thence in northwesterly direc-
ton 10 ker-n ana hassdla. mercy shH sis INV III
ritory OF the Negu5 /; this latter route that
the Italian authorities first turned their attention
Ailet which Is about twelve miles from Sahati. was
occupied and fortified. tie rude camel track between
these two spots having been converted by d!nt OF
much nard labor into capital road. work was
promptly begun on railroads TO Alet ana also to
Keren Keren is an important commercial centre.
surrounded by fertile territory Offering facilities Tor
colonization already tested by the Greeks. From 1t
q weI-known trade route runs direct 10 Nassala.
next tn Khartoum. the largest own in the Soudan.
once this opened under Italian protection the whole
trade OF Kordofan and SEMINAR vas expected 10 flow
TO Massowah in lieu of resuiling It's ancient but
obstructed track from KassalI to Suakim
THE FIRST EUROPEAN ATTACK.
The first attack upon Abyssina by European
power occurred in 1851. and was brought about by
Theodore the Negus OBTAINING captive and cruelty
Il-ireating certain Europeans. among others the
English Consul from Massowah, Captain Cameron
Probably Theodor. suspected them of aiding his en-
emies the Egyptians. A mission was sent 10 pro-
cure their release. bearing letter from the Queen
VI England but the three members composing u