New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08

Hor months together after their arrival, under
the pretext Of accmatizng them Ihen'
thoroughly enervated and demoraized py
prolonged stay in this dreadful pesthole. they
are sent out to storm the mountain Businesses
which guard the approach to the taoieianos OF
Abyssinia Businesses that are DEFENDED py
hardy mountaineere Of absolutely perfect
physique These natives are armed for the most
part with those very same chassepots which
were first used by the French troops forming
the guard OF Plus TX, at the battle OF Mentaha'
against the Italians under Garibaldi, every one
Of them bearing engraved on the barrel the
armorial bearings of the Papacy.
Massowah was presented by the English to
the Italians. who certainly never received
more fatal gift. 1t IL scarcely necessary to add
that England had no legal right to give 1t
avay since it did not belong to her. ehe had
appropriated it. however. along with number
Of other cities and towns belon gtng 70 the Sui
tan OF Turkey and TO the Khedve OF Egypt
Along the Red Sea coast. Finding it inconven-
lent and awkward TO keep, she presented II 10
King Humbert OF the condition that he should
b return assist the British forces proceeding
against the Mahdi. by creating diversion
against the latter in the direction OF Kassala
Humbert accepted the gift hoping 10 be able
to estab lsh great italian colony in the fertile
highlands Of the Province of Boghos. His Gov
eminent had become alarmed by the enormous
Increase Of Italian emigration to North and
south America, thoroughly realizing that emil
grants to this continent are quickly absorbed
into the population Of the New World. and be-
come totally lost to Italy 1t was hoped that
By directing the stream OF emigration into an
Italian colony 1t might become an additional
source of strength instead Of loss Of force to
NE Italian nation.
MAssowAH IN THE TURKS HANDS.
Gassowah came into the possession Of the
Sorte after the conquest Of Arabia Felix. and
used to be governed by Pacha from CONSTANT
nople. AS the chief port on the African side OF
'ne Red Sea IT was the centre OF trade between
Asia and the Dark Continent. Slaves and every
other kind OF African mercha ndise found an out
st at Massowah. whence native dhows trans
ported them to Jeddah and other ports on the
opposite Arabian shore. Turkey made several
ruthless expeditions from Massowah for the pur-
pose Of conquering Abyssinia. In 1866. when.
ow'ng to Great Britain's intervention in Con-
"antinope, the Sultan ceded Massowah and the
"nole OF his dominions on the African coast line
Egypt. the Ottoman rule was little more than
nominal Khedive Ismail Immediately took steps
70 close the port of Massowah to Abyssnia. act
ing IN this matter In accordance with the Views
o. the Sultan as there Is an old Mahometan
Nopnecy to the effect that the Holy Cities Of
Aecca and Medina will one day be RACED to the
s1ound by the Abyssinians an event which will
y attended by the most disastrous consequences
1er the followers of the Prophet throughout the
World. Turks and Egyptians believe that as long
the Abyssinians can be kept out OF Massowah
ue danger will be averted, since they have no
voer port from which thew can sef 40 nm their
nesion Of destruction.
- Aassowah Is the only outlet for Abyssinian
~. the Negus at once determined to oppose