The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-24
HOW ABYssINIANs GET ARMS
English Correspondent Explains Why the
Black Christians Can Fight.

English Correspondent Explains Why TIL
Black Christians Can Fight.
London, April pa correspondent
10 the Timbes writes: 1 am enabled
to give, from perfectly authentic sour
ces, some curious information abou
the importation of arms into Abyssinia
through the French ports of Obok and
Jibuti, the accuracy of which will prob,
ably be recognized by the officials il
those places as well as at leila
In May 1895. NJ. Legarde, governor OF
Obok, wrote 10 Ras Makonnen asking
him for mules for the expedition OF
Madagascar. informing him that they
would be paid for in war material. On
receipt of this letter, Ras Makonnen
with the authority Of Menelik, sent to
Jibuti 1900 mules, which were estimated
at napoleon and half apiece. These
mules were sent 10 Madagascar In
August Of the same year a steamer
Of the Compaginie Rationale deposited
at Jibunti a quantity of powder and
cartridges enough TO load fifty camels
The Abyssinians who witnessed this
say that they are sure that their coun-
trymen will be victorious, that NJ.
Chefneaux in October sent TO Menelik
% mitrailuesses, and that the impress
sion prevailed among them that if
Menelik were beaten France would be
disposed to send him help via Jibuti.
In the beginning of February one X,
received gold TO buy arms for Abyssin-
MIA and this was sent TO Jibuti to the
care of NJ. Lagarde X, receiving from
Makonnen 5,0O0f as a gift. In March,
1895, French mission composed of two
officers arrived from Obok at the court
of Menelik, bringing with them thirty
camel-loads Of powder and cartridges
and five mitrailleusse. Abmout the
beginning of the last month another
consignment was expected from Mar
settles Of about 10000 rifles, possibly by
way OF Corsica and thence by the
steamers of the Fraissinet company
or others to Jibuti.
After the explicit declarations Of NJ.
Lagarde to the commander of the row.
al cruiser Etruria, there was reason to
hope that the trade in arms would be
watched and prohibited. and so it was
reported by the English resident at
leila. but afterwards it was known to-
wards the latter part of January that a
hirer Of camels from Jibuti had come
10 Zeilia and with great secrecy had
hired 10 camels, paying in advance.
They were TO go to Jibuti early in the
morning, and. in fact, they started at
daybreak; but the local resident on
the same day, the 18th of January, ar
rested the hirer of the camels, a Samor
OF the Issa ALA, who had carelessly
spoken of the loads which the camels
were TO take at Jabuti and at the same
time scouts and native soldiers were
nfut ba
cept the caravan. The hirer of camels
was punished.
The night Of the 26th, towards tvi-
light, arrived in Jibuti a steamer with
two masts, under French flag, painted
gray; in the night she unloaded many
boxes containing guns, and cartridges
which were deposited in an enclosure
belonging TO the house inhabited bv NJ.
and at present the property
or the government The steamer left
on the morning of the 9th. The cam
loaded the caravan in this en-
closure. The boxes were of wood with
rope handles at the side; they were op-
ened 10 form the packages of arms
which, as usuel, were wrapped in cloth
and mating. Fourteen camels. light
~ loaded, /. e, eight with guns and six
with cartridges, left for Harrar on the
morning of the 18th escorted by native
soldiers in the French service. The
other camels were loaded the next dav !
IN the presence of two French merch |
ants. one tall. marked with smaIIpox |
On the face, the other short and corpu- |
ent whose description corresponds |
With that Of NJ. Pine Pinaud0 The |
approaches 10 The house were watched |
oy the police so that no strangers could /
get in. and all the camel-drivers were |
warned repeatedly that if they talked |
about the nature Of their loads they
would be imprisoned, the loads being /
iecIared as cotton stuffs. The head Of |
ne caravan was a certain Ali Fara. of /
ne tribe Of Issa Gala. In the day of
he 9th. the camel-hirer, brother
II the Abban, arrived from Zeila IN il
'uJ. and reCounted to the police thar
lie had been imprisoned and cendemnaj
o several blows Of the stick. He |
vas then taken before the governor
Who gave him ten rupees and sent him
O the hospital 70 be cured. The rest
I the caravan. composed Of ninetv-
our camels, left Jibuti for Gildessa
y the French road.
The night OF the 2Sth. towards tv-i-
Sht, arrived al Jibuti a large shin
ainted black. During the night II IN
paded boxes containing guns and cart
idges, which were stored in a house
dJoining the one already mentioned.
he unloading took place by night and
ne next morning after sunrise the stsa-
Ter left Jibuti
The material consisted more in cart
idges than in guns, and many cart
-dges were hidden In bales ~ cotton
Juffs- NJ. Legarde's interpreter. one
usuph. gave orders for the loading Of
he caravan, which was not above
.ghty camels. and which left immedi-
tely for Harrar.
On January SO another caravan. COM
o>ed or fifteen camelS, left for HRrrar.
2Ning been loaded II the house Of NJ. 1
lno, the French merchant. with A
'mplete load OF cartridges in sacks OF
oth and mating. The Abban OF the
iraNan Is the IsSa-Somali Esa Fars.
the tribe Bersskir The load an
cared 10 belong 20 Mahone5 pasha
n OF the eN-sultan Of celia. who has
'sidences at Jibuu and in Shea.
The authorities Of Jfbuti do not lIka
nave The caravans make much shoU :
al il appears that0d. I.e-art4. i n,ucr ;
on account OF the ram,
he servants and the interpreter OF II !
egarde have said 10 some people tl,.. ,
leir master was several DAYS much :
Squie;ed on account OF the passage ~ I
ese arms All the ammunition hoxas ,
q kept IN the house OF the French I ,
erchant. near the sea. The arms he
rs 10 him and Mahomed Pasha. who | T;
business together in Abysfnfs