The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-12-16
Chance For Another War With the
AbySsilian Ruler.
DAILY WANTS TO BUY A PRINCE
The BuboniC Plague Scare In n c W
York Lobengula's White Wife
DisiiluSiOniz d.

LONDON, Dee. 6.-While British
soldiers have been fighting in two re
gions Of Africa two able civilians have
been comfortably engaged at Rome
liability will never be put into prae-
teal effect without more desperate
bloodletting
Signor Martini, in behalf Of Italy,
and Mr.. Rennel-Rodd, representing
England and Egypt, have put into dip
lOmatic form an Anglo-Italian under
standing in regard to their frontiers
in that part of Africa, most of which
is claimed by Emperor Menelek. AS
far as can be ascertained, the negClti-
atiOns have been carried on with a
total disregard of the existence of Me
nelek, the assumption being that he no
longer has aspirations for territorial
expansion, and has even recOnciled
himself to the Italian occupation of
territory once belonging to Abyssinia
Time will perhaps show that big mis-
| take has been made.
The Anglo-Italian convention is said
| to have been actually signed this week.
| 1t adds to the Italian colony known as
| Erythrea a vast tract of territory,
while England finally takes absolute
possession of kassala, rounds off her
| frontiers, etc. Each contracting party
binds itself to give military assistance
| to the other in case of attack from any
quarter, and there are clauses galore
relating to commercial facilities, and
| the construction of railway and tele-
grapn lines.
MENELEK READY FOR WAR.
In the meantime the monarch who
has been cOntemptuOusly ignored is
importing arms and ammunition, drill
| ing his troops, and paying large sums
to expert instructors. There are now
| So 900 Abyssinians under arms and So
900 more prepared to join the standard
at the shortest notice.
Menelek suspects every European
power but has such an abiding hatred
for Italy and contempt for her mill
tary resources that he will attack Fry
threa sooner or later beyond question,
and by the terms of the new conven-
ton the Anglo-Egyptian forces will be
bound to help the Italians
1t looks as though Italy had made
remarkably fine bargain unless the
convention is accompanied by a vitality
important secret stipulation, of which
nothing has transpired. If the bargain
is not sCrongly in Italy'S favor it will
be more than probable that the Cham
Der of Deputies will refuse to ratify it,
majority of Italians are heartily sick
of Italian coloniZing projects. Fry
threa is a sad drain on Italian financial
resources, and the country still broOds
over the blood shed in the attempt to
found an empire in Africa.
ENGLAND AS A CATSPAW.
There has always been a minority OF
stalwarts who insist that Italy is bound
to vindicate the honor of Italian arms
by conquering Abyssinia, but these de-
crease yearly. But, or course, II Eng
land is to pluck the chestnuts out of
the fire, there will be delightful unani-
nifty in Italy The Kaiser is said to
have bestowed his blessing upon the
Anglo-Italian convention. If that be
the fact, perhaps it means that Germa
ny will have the port on the Red sea
which she has long desired.
The railway schemes in the conven-
ton include the construction of a line
from ASmara to KasSala The indus
trial schemes include the systematic
exploration of the whole of Erythrea
for gold. 1t is declared that the coun-
try is very rich. Gold reefs have been
discovered in eleven places within the
Italian border. Experts are confident
that neighboring Abyssinia is highly
auriferous, but the reefs will never be
worked by Europeans as long as Me-
nelek is alive, and probably not until
Abyssinia has ceased TO be an indie
pendent kingdom.