The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-01

hard labor into a capital road Work was
promptly begun on railroads 10 AiIet ana
also 70 Keren- Keren is an important
commercial center. surrounded by fertile
territory Offering facilities for coloriza-
ton already tested by the Greeks. From
il a well-known trade route runs direct 20
Kassala. next TO khartoUm, the largest
town in the Soudan. Once this opened
under the Italian protection. the whole
trade of Kordofan and SEMINAR was ex-
pected to now 10 M~assowah. in lieu OF re-
Stunning its ancient but ob~structed track
from kassala TO Suakim.
N First European Attack.
The first attack upon Ahyssinia by A
European power occurred in 1861. and was
brought about by Theodore. the nesus,
OBTAINING captive and cruelty il-treating
certain Europeans, among others the Eng
lish consul from Massowah, Capt. Came
ron. Probably Theodore suspected them
of aiding his enemies. the Egyptians A
mission was sent 10 procure their release,
bearing a letter from the queen OF Eng
land, but the three members composing II
Mr. Rassam. Lieut.. PrideauN and Dr.
Blane) were also seized and made prison.
ers. This. of course, could not he toler-
ated. vet the extreme responsibilities of a
campaign in so mountainous and difficult
a country, and so far from England (when
no SueZ canal existed caused much hesi-
tation as TO the course to be adopted by
the British government. But at last, in
August, 1857, an expedition was decided on,
and in January. 1855, Sir Robert Napier
landed at Annesley bay, about twenty
miles south of M~assowah, with a force or
I3. 900 men from India.
AS a result of this expedition the cap
tives were released. Magdala stormed and
taken. and Theodore's body found, shot
through the head by his own hand. The
expedition at once returned to the coast,
ard embarked in June, 1868, leaving John,
Prince of Tigre, to succeed as negus. The
cost OF the war approached the sum OF
s45. 900. 900.
In 1874 the Egyptian government took
possession of the province OF Bogos,
which had on several occasions changed
hands, but had lately been considered neu-
trail ground. upon which the negus. John,
appealed to England, but without pTacti-
cal result. In the following year he
formed a new province bordering on the
sea about Annesley bay. But the Egyp-
tians attacked the garrison, and drove
them back to Adowa. However, in No
vembar, the Abyssiaiars attacked rne 'n-
vaders in force, and totally annihilated
them near Gundet. The Egyptian govern
ment Immediately dispatched In army
this force was also defeated at Gura. and
the boundaries of Abyssinia for some time
remained underlined. In order to arrange
this matter Gordon visited the country
the following year, but was called away
shortly afterward for Darfur. In 1879 he
returned again TO Abyssinia and tried 10
negotiate with the king, who, however,
made some absurd claims, and after many
delays, sent Gordon off, only TO be ar
rested and brought back, and finally re-
leased without settling on any deinit re-
suit.
In 1881 In consequence of the trouble
some interference of Egyptians Italy
some. interference of Egyptians, Italy
having already been under Italian protec-
ton since 1869.
he Italians Take MaSsowah.
When the evacuation of the Soudan by
Egypt was determined upon. Massowah
had TO be given up. The Italians landed
On February ,, 1885. a force of 500 troops
at Ner~oN8h. and planted the Italian flag
alongside the Turkish. But before the
year was out this dual control became I'M
satisfactory; and the Italians being reso-
lutte, the Egyptian authorities took them
selves off, leaving the Italian flag flying
alone. not only at Massowah, but also
over some ~neighboring villages. This
gave offense TO Negus John, who now
claimed Massowah as his, and appeared
TO expect England to support him, his
troops, under Ras Alula, having during
this time fought Il successful hattte
against Osman Digna, although without
gaining any result SO far as p levirg the
b~eleaguered garrisons went. The Italians,
thus left in possession, sent ENJOYS TO the
negus, who received them favorably, but
shortly after their departure assumed a
hostile attitude, and in January. 1887. Ras
Alula tacke with a large force an It
allan detachment of $40 men at Dogali.
near MassOwah. and nearly annihilated
them. They were surrounded by two large
cC|uCertric circles of A~bySsinians, num-
boring some 10000 men, while a body Of
ahDut QH0 hprcamp0 wore az hand 70 MR.
sue the fu~gitives. Four hundred and
fifty Italians were killed, and most Of the
remainder wounded.
This reverse at once led the Italians 70
determine on a regular war with the
Abyssinians. In order TO show them that
their new neighbors were not to he at
tackled with impunity. In the hope, how
ever, of preventing a needless war, the
English endeavored to intercede, and a
mission was sent TO the negus while the
Italians awaited the result. Or arriving at
Asmara, the headquarters of Ras Alula,
the ENJOYS were made prisoners. They
were detained for many days. and at last
sent on in search of the negus, whose eX-
act location was unknown. However. they
came up with him. and presented their
letter from the queen. They were well
received, although the result OF the mis-
sion was a failure, so far as peace nego-
~tiations were concerned. and the mission
returned, not without undergoing further
adventures, bearing letters in answer to
the queen. The Italians then pressed the
campaign, and have been generally sue
cessful. on the death of John, King
Meneiek, of shea. became the chief leader
OF the Abyssinians. He concluded a
treaty with Italy, practically accepting
that power as his suzerain. 1t is not like
". however. that the Italian scheme VIII
he fulfilled with out opposition. While
the Abyssinians are OF an undoubtedly
treacherous nature. they are at the same
time brave and warlike. They are well
able 10 hold their rocky country against
any ordinary foe. They have long sought
to acquire possession of the sea coast.
which is OF supreme value 20 them in
their Insulated position. and they Will I'M
deal with.
& WeIl-Armrd Nation.
Moreover, the Abyssiuians OF today are
comparatively well armed, some $500
Remington rifles having fallen into their
hands after their victories over the Eeyp-
tians. as well as numbers Of others which
they have bought. Exact statistics con-
cerning. the Ahyssinian army cannot well
be obtained. since the army Is based on no
regular organization, bat. as in most saw
or less a soldier and bound TO follow his
chief in war time. However. Mai. Piano.
who commanded the Italian mission 20
King John in 1SS5 had good opportunity
Of gathering much valuable information
concerning e.
The generals, or 'ras.' VINO are COVER
nors OF provinces during peace time. each
command the men OF their own district.
and these districts vary considerably in