, 1896-03-06

An Attempt at Land Grabbing Without
Counting the Cost.

An Attempt at Land Grabbing Without
Counting the Cost.
Chicago, March 5.-The Abyssinian
situation is well told in the following
narrative of events compiled by the
Times-Herald
The story OF the Italian campaign in
Abyssinia is similar to those of other
land-grabbing affairs in which the big
nations of Europe have simply robbed
the people of African or Asiatic coun-
tries of their property. Abyssinia is a
very rich country on The Red sea, and
thus far has been pretty safe from the
land-grabbing powers with the excep-
ton of Italy.
When Menelik H., the present mon
arch, succeeded King John in 1889. he
added to the dead rulers territories
those of his own kingdom. Shoa. and
became the most powerful king that
ever ruled in the country. A treaty
was made with Italy whereby King
Humbert was 10 protect" the country
in consideration of a large slice of land
that had been acquired in 1885.
lta1y's acquisition consisted of found
ing a COLONY at Massowah while the
Abyssinians were busy fighting the
Turks. The Italians walked right in.
planted their flag beside the Turkish
Egyntiar. authoritie- 4oOn withdrew
and left Italy in sole possession not
only of Massowah, but of many viii
lagos in the vicinity.
The Italian troops were not left long
in peace, Tor although then ENJOYS
had been favorahly received by the
under the command of Ras Alula and
annihilated a detachment of $40 men.
This was in 1887. and the Italians de-
termined to wage a regular war on the
Abyssinians, who, if conquered. would
be protected" by Italy to a nauseating
degree. England at this juncture put
in her oar and tried TO avert this war
by Offering better and stronger pro
lection to the king, but her ENJOYS
were put in Jail on their arrival, to be
released and patted on the back by the
queen.
The butchery of the Italians by 90
600 Abyssinian troops was naturally
followed by reinforcements. and for
the last eight years there has been
more or less trouble between the ma
tive rulers and the foreign troops and
colonists. It was believed that when
Menelik II. made his treaty with Italy
the fighting would stop, but this war
like king was never satisfied while the
foreigner held some of his lands with
out some right. and Italy has been o n
stantly sending men to Abyssinia with
the hope that victory would, sooner or
later, rest on lier banners.
War in real earnest began about a
year ago and Menelik II. has had the
best of the fighting all along the line.
The reason for this is hat Italy's
forces counted up about 5000 soldiers,
while Menelik was at the head of a
noble army Of 200, 900 men, born fight
ers and as tough as leather. His army
was at first equipped with only 0 1900
rifles. but the king has been constantly
adding to his store, and now he Is in a
position to offer a serious resistance
to any power that harnesses him. To
strengthen himself against the Ital-
lans. Menelik recently opened nogo-
tiations with the czar on the pretext
of a desire to unite the Russian and
Abyssinian religions, but really to get
support from the powerful ruler of the
Russias.
The defeat of the Italians will now
bring Abyssinia forward as the most
important question in European d.
plomacy. and King Menelik will be for.
tunate II several of the powers do no,
|get together and force on him a com
btned protection, which will leave him
and his people without a square foo,
of land to call his own.
CORBETT AND FITZ.
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