The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-20
MENELlK PREPARING FOR WAR.
>EGus OF AByssINIA MAY ATTACK
BRITAIN AT ANY TIME.
Claims Territory which England
Considers necessary to Garry Out
the Plans OF Empire In Africa.

New York, December la--Icndon papers
just received display much anxiety over
the attitude Of Menelk, emperor OF Abys-
s!nia. toward England. At present there
is dispute between this poten,ate and
Great Britain as to the boundary between
Egypt and Abyssinia, and 1t is feared that
Menelik may consider tho present an eN-
oellent time to make n demonstration
against the British The question of the
frontier settlements was discussed last
year at Adds Adeba, where MIR. Rennei-
Rodd first secretary of the British diplo-
matte agency at Cairo went to deliver
magnificent presents to the negus and con-
eiliate him. The kings OF Ethiopia have
always claimed the suzerainty of the ter
ritories extending northward as Ear as
Nubla southwark to Mombaza and west
ward to the White Nile, Menelik claims
TO be the owner of the right bank OF that
river from the 14th to the I'd degree OF
latitude Just opposite Fashoda lie rei'-
Grated these prctensions as early as 1891
In diplomatic note addressed to all EN-
ropean powers and the contents OF whlch
we're identical with the claims he DIS
cussed later with the Anglo Egyptian en-
voy. MIR, Rennel- Rodd.
The scheme of Cecil Rhodes of Cape
to Cairo railroad. or rather the plan oil
A British empire extending without any
break from the Mediterranean TO Cape
town. would be spoiled II MeneIiE hnahy
succeeded In planting the Nbyssuian nag
over point on the White Nile IL Is
highly Improbable that Great Britain, atleI
having chased away the French FROM
Fashoda and cleaning the impassahls
swamps on the left hank of the Egyptian
river, would allow Abyssinia to deprive
her of free passage which is assured TO her
If the Philippians do not occupy the right
hank Of the Nile This was so evident
that before the Transvnal difficulties eng
land was convinced Of the impossihihtY oil
/ avoiding n conflict with Abyssinta, and
/ plan Of campaign had been discussed u
/ was to be of an aggressive character and
| looked 10 a conquest of Ethiopian terri
tory Things look differently now, Meme
lik may be the aggressor--or rather tho
invader---if he is troubled In his present
occupation of what he claims 10 be Ills
own Not satisfied with the territorial
rights which were attributed TO him ny
old parchments discovered lately IN the
library at Lisbon, he has realized tho ef-
fective occupation required by clause in
the treaty of Berlin OF which he is 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 acted Ike
! President Kruger of the Transvaal and has
made extensive warlike preparations for
the last two years, according 10 writer
VINO is an intimate friend of the famous
| Swiss gentleman, Mr. Zig, the right-hand
man of Menelik. The latter and his great
feuda vassals have imported 100000 guns
of the French patteru 4,00O,o 900 cartridges
and several thousand Remington, Win
chester and Martin guns besides 5000 re-
voIvers and $4,000 blades for lances.
The number of Abyssinian soldiers who
could be called upon to take up these
weapons IS somewhat difficult 10 estimate
correctly especially on account o. the
! feuda character of the army, which is
4 composed of contngents brought by the
vassas of the negus and is not centralized
/ in the latter's hands except on the battle
field. Still, Count Aninnnelli. diplomat
and traveller estimates at nearly 100000
/ men the force that Menelk could put In
| iiHS Sphir fN'l . nts'' ~ "t'i"'n '''N -
rs follows: Military "maison," or escort
for the emperor. $4,000 soldiers. forming
n real elite corps three army corps. in
GLIDING earrlsons and permanent troops,
$4,000 men; militia or contingents fur
nished by the yassal lords, 11i,00O. and,
! finally. $4,000 volunteers or 'partisans. !"
as they are called by Count Antonnelli.
Since the publication OF his estimates the
Abyssinian army has been perfected in Its
armament. If not as TO It's numerical
strength. The intelligence department has
proved to be excellent; II is equal, and
perhaps superior, 10 that created by Lord
Kitchener in the Anglo Egyptian service.
AS to the military qualities, the bravery
and endurance of Abyssinian soldiers
have been proved in their campaign
against the we'll trained and valiant troops
Of Italy.