The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-12-23
CreubEes Of england.

New York, Dee 20-London papers
just received display much anxiety over
the attitude of Menelik. emperor of
Abyssinia, toward England. At pres
ent there is a dispute between this po-
tentate and Great Britain as to the
boundary between Egypt and Abyssin
Pa, and it is feared that Menelik may
consider the present an excellent time
to make demonstration against the
British.
The question of the frontier settle
ments was discussed last year at Adds
Adeba. where Mir. Rennel-Rodd, first
secretary OF the British diplomatic
agency at Cairo, went to deliver mag
nificent presents to the Negus and con-
ciliate him. The kings of Ethiopia have
always claimed the suzerainty Of the
territories extending northward as far
as Nubia, southwark TO Mombasa and
westward to the White Nile.
Menelik claims to be the owner of
the right bank of that river, from the
fourteenth to'the second degree of lati-
tude, Just opposite Fashoda. He reiter
ated these pretensions as early as 1891,
in a Diplomatic note addressed to all
European powers, and the contents of
which were identical with the claims
he discussed later with the Anglo
Egyptian envoy, Mr.. Rennel-Rodd,
Cecil Rhodes Scheme.
The scheme of Cecil Rhodes for
Cape to Cairo railroad or rather the
plan of a British empire extending
without any break from the Mediterra-
mean to Cape Town, would be spoiled
if Menelik finally succeeded in plant
ing the Abyssinian flag over point on
the White Nile. 1t is highly improb-
able that Great Britain, after having
chased away the French from Fashoda
and the impossible swamps on the left
bank Of the Egyptian river, would all
low Abyssinia to deprive her of the
free passage which is assured to her
if the Philippians do not occupy the
right bank of the Nile.
This was so evident that before the
Transvaal difficulties England was con-
WINGED of the impossibility of avoiding
a conflict with Abyssinia and plan Of
campaign had been discussed. 1t was
to be of an aggressive character, and
looking to a conquest of Ethiopian ter
ritory.
Things look differently now. Meme
Xix may be the aggressor or, rather, the
invader, if he is troubled in his pres
ent occupation of what he claims to be
his own.
Sends Out Troops.
Not satisfied with the territorial
rights which were attributed to him
by old parchments discovered lately in
the library at Lisbon, he has realized
the effective occupation required by the
clause in the treaty of Berlin, of which
he was one of the signers, and he has
sent troops to occupy the countries
which he claims as his own.
In view of an approaching conflict
with Great Britain. the Negus has act
ed like President Kruger of the Trans
vaal. and has made extensive warlike
preparations For the last two years
according to a writer who is the init
mate friend of the famous Swiss gem
tleman. Mr. Zig, the right hand man of
Menelik. the latter and his great feu-
dal vassals have imported 100000 guns
of the French pattern, Gras 1000, 900
cartridges also from France, and sew
eral thousand Remington Winchester
and Martini guns, besides 5000 revolt
vers and q, 900 blades for iances. Nit
railleuses and rapid fire cannon have
not been forgotten and the Negus has
secured an ample provision of them
Has Formidable Force.
The number of Abyssinian soldiers
who could be called upon to make use