The herald., 1896-03-22

resemble tb. Arabs in language and
physical characteristics. Their earliest
traditions relate to the queen of Shebs,
from whom all subsequent monarchs
have claimed descent. A certain de-
gree of civilization was early attained,
but for many centuries the instability
of government and the prevalence of
superstition have reduced the country
to a condition unfavorable to manners
and morals. The Abyssinians number
about three million people. They have
professed Christianity since the fourth
century. Religion, however, exists
among them only in its lowest forms
and is little more than cerem onial.
The modern history of Abyssinia
practically begins with the reign of
Theodore, who, conquered by the Brit
ish, committed suicide in 1869. Little
further was heard of the country until
fifteen years later, when Italy, bitten
by the colonization mania, undertook
to initiate the other European nations
and help herself to a portion of Africa.
By the purchase of the Bay of Assab
in 1882 Italy had got bare foothold in
Abysein In 1884 fired with the idea
of becoming colonial power, she occu-
pied Msssowab, an Abyssinian port on
the Red sea, and began pushing towards
tbs interior, finally reaching pla ,e
called Kassala, few hundred miles
down the Nile, below Wady Halfa, the
British outpost in NubIa. At the same
time the Italians forced their way to-
wards the south. The territory occu-
pied reached behind and below the
French coaling station OIL the Red sea.
| All this time Abyssinis was in its
chronic condition of unrest. In time
the Italians exerted their influence for
the browning of Menelik, the chief
claimant to the throne. This event
took place in 1889. In return Menelik
concluded treaty with Italy, which
made the country practically an Ital-
ian protectorate.
The anger of France had been aroused
by the occupation Of Massowah and the
subaequent extension of Italian intiu-
ence. An attempt was made to prove
that the action of Italy was hostile to
the maintenance of the integrity of the
Ottoman empire, which, according to
the treaty OF Paris of 1856, Europe was
bound to sustain and defend. Owing
to English Indifference. however, the
attempt was failure, but the French
have never ceased to throw difficulties
in the path or the Italians: They are
generally credited with giving the
Abyssiuians efficient aid at the present
time.
The provisions of the Italian treaty
with Abyssinis we're constantly VIC
lated by King Menelik, who declared
that he had been deceived and never
understood that he had given the Ital
iaus protectorate over the country
The crafty king is generally believed
to have been instigated by the French
who are accused of furnishing lin
arms and ammunition.
Matters went from bad to worse unit
finally war was declared against Meme
lik some six months ago. The resul
has been 30 far very disastrous to tht
Italians. The present is the thirt
severe defeat that they have sustained
The first reverse occurred abou
three months ago, when five companie
of Italian troops we're surprised ant
surrounded by force of $4,000 Abys
sinians. The Italians made desperate
resistance and fought until their am
munition was exhausted, when tht
Abyssinians fell upon them and massa
creed nearly the whole force. Only {
few fugitives escaped to Makaiie, whioI
was ANN hesieged by the Ahyssinisns