New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-20
NENELIK AND GREAT BRITAIN.
THE ABYssINIAN CLAIMS UPON THE WHITE NILE

THE ARMY OF THE ETHIOPIAN EMPEROR.
Recent cable dispatches report that in Great Brit
ain It is generally believed that Menelik the Negus,
or Fn,peror of Abyssinia, will take advantage Of
the Transvaal campaign to declare war against
England" THE Daily Mai" Of London. said late
" that 'Meneik advancing on Boru-Media
with hundred thousand men. armed with rifles
and numerous train Of artillery" The fears or
''The Mail" and its London contemporaries were
somewhat chimerical then, but they are not so to
the same extent since the British reverses In South
Africa and a few lines about the claims OF the
Ethiopian sovereign and the strength OF his army
may not be out of place.
Menelik's objective in making any demonstration
Of a military character just at present would be
N force q definite boundary settlement between
Abvssinia and the Anglo-Egyptian territory. Such
a settlement might surrender TO the Negus large
portion Of that Bahr-e-Ghazal Province which the
French possessed until their commandant. Mar
chand was ordered by the Paris Cabinet TO abandon
Fashoda. II IS known that the Negus rendered a
roval and lavish hospitality to the discouraged
commandment and his dsheartened soldiers, and
that he sided with the French against the Eng
FISH. whom he hates having been the temporary
conouerors Of Abyssinia after the Magdaia Victory
and the suicide of the Negus Theodoros MenenK
has proclaimed, besides, his intention OF soH's W
the Paris Exposition
The question of the frontier settlements was dis
cussed last year at Adds Abeba. where Mr.. Rem
nel-Rod First Secretary of the British Diplomatic
Agency at Cairo. went to deliver magnificent pres
ents 10 the Negus and conciliate him. The Kings
NJ Ethiopia have always claimed the suzerainty
~ tho territories extending northward as far as
Nubia southwark to Mombasa and westward to
the White Nile Menelik pretends to be the owner
Of the right bank Of that river from the fourteenth
to the second degree OF latitude. just opposite
Fashoda He reiterated these pretensions as early
as 1891 IN diplomatic note addressed to all Euro
tba
,dontcsl with the claims he discussed later with
the Anglo Egyptian Envoy Mr.. RennelRod'
rbe famous scheme of Cecil Rhodes OF a Cape
IN Cairo railroad or. rather. the plan OF br1tsh
empire extending without any break from the
Mediterranean 10 Cape Town, would be spoiled II
Naneuk finally succeeded In planting the Apys-
sIr,ap flag over point the White Nile 1t Is
b,rblv improbable that Great Britain. after having
chased away the French from Fashoda ana the
,nnassabe swamps the left bank OF the bgyp-
tan river would allow Abyssinia TO deprive her
~ the free passage which is assured to her II the
Etbionians do not occupy the right BANK OF the
Nile. ,r,
This Was 80 evident that before the TransVaal
amenities England was convinced Of the impossi-
blity of avoiding conflict with Aoysshiia' ana
plan Of camPagn had Seep a5G ooFd to wa"
quest OF Ethiopian territory Inn or
emily n4 S INVADER II he Is troubled in his present
oecupation OF what he claims TO be his own. Not
I'D u-fh
fTibted to him by old parchmeyts discovered late
~ IN Inc library al Lisbon he has realized the
nf ecfive occupation required by clause IN inc
TreetY Of Berlin Of which he was of the sign
ers and he has sent troops 10 occupy the countries
which he claims as his own o,. ,., &c..
In view of an approaching conflict with Great
Britain the Negus has acted IKE PRESIDENT Kruger
81 The Transvaal. and has made extensive warlike
nrenaratons For the last two years, according 10
a writer who Is the intimate friend OF the famous
Swiss gentleman, Mr.. Zig, the rishthand man or
Menek the latter and his great r feuda vssssls
S;ras: ZOO 90 cartridges also from France and
several thousand Remington Winchester and MAT
tint guns besides 5000 revolvers and $500 blades
ing cannon have not been forgotten, ana the Neeus
has secured an ample provision Of them.
The number OF Abyssinian soldiers VINO could be
called upon TO make Of these weapons is some
what difficult 20 estimate correctly, especially on
account Of the feudal character OF the army
which is composed OF contirgents brought by tho
vassals OF the Negus, and is not centralized IN me
latters hands except the battlefield Still;
Count Antonelh diplomat and traveller. estimated
at nearly two hundred thousand men the force
that Menelik could put in line some years ago;
or escort OF the Emperor 1900 soldiers. forming
real elite corps: three army corps including gar
rfsons and permanent troops. 5000 men; militia or
contineents Furnished by the vassal lords. 1l4o0,
thew are called by Count Antonelh Since the pub
iication OF his estimates the Abysslnian army has
been perfected in its armament, II not as TO It's
numerical strength. The intelligence department
has proved TO be excellent; " is equal and perhaps
snnerior 10 that created by Lord Kitchener In the
Anglo Egyptian service. AS 10 military qualities,
the bravery and endurance OF the Abyssnian sol
diers have been proved in their campaign against
he disciplined well trained and valiant troops OF
Ttalv The Abyssinian soldiers are usually accom-
naned In war expeditions by their wives. who per-
az q' ~ "commissarist" End attendance" in other
mi