Washington sentinel., 1900-07-28
NO 4

the pockets OF the Cars emissarfes TO
Menelik's courtiers ever since, and the
Emperor is now said to be entirely under
Russian influence. The British. recog.
nizing the importance OF having Meme.
lik's good will whs the war with
Kruger was coming on, ceded 10 Abys-
sinia in the latter part OF 1893 about
5000 miles OF British SomaliIand, about
which there had been some dispute
between the two nations. Abyssinia
now claims the whole OF the territory on
the north of British East Africa, amount
ing in all to about 100000 square miles.
AbySsinian troops are said to actually
occupy this valuable strip, without
resistance from British troops, almost
all ofwhom we're Withdrawn to rec tniorce
Roberts and Butler.
An idea OF the damage MenelIk might
do Great Britain at this time may De had
from the fact that Meuehk's regular
army is known to number $50 COO men.
who might be augmented to the extent
OF 100000 men, drawn from the militia,
which is organized in the various prov.
inces Of the empire under a system
strikinglY like that employed in the
United States. These troops have
modern rifles, maxim guns and mitrail.
leuses, bought in Europe for Menelik by
Russian agents. The Emperor Is said
to be a second Frederick II. in his
passion Tor discipline, and is continually
in the saddle making the rounds OF the
chiel towns and reviewing his soldiers.
In short, influenced, as he is, by Russian
ideas and bound to Russia by common
ties Ofreligion-for the Abyssinlaus have
been Christians since the third century
and belong to the Greek Church.
Menelk is the most formidable enemy
that might be stirred up against England
iu Africa, and could undo in a fortnight
the patient labor OF years, which won
for Kitchener the title OF Lord Ol Khar.
toum.
The gravity OF the present situation in
the Orient is best brought out by the
thought OF the probable consequences
TO England il the powers, allied now in
a common cause against China. should
fall out among themselves II in addition
TO the armies now drawn up against her
in South Africa, in Ashanti. and in
BOrneO, she should be forced to face
Russia, or France, or Germany, or all,
in a conflict over the division OF the
spoils IN the Celestial Empire, the
speedy downfall OF the proudest nation
the world has ever seen would be, not
conjecture, but a certainty Yet her
enormous interests IN China will lead
the masses OF her people to be even
more headstrong and violent in tn ir
policy in South Africa. " ith hall the
people ciamoring Tor revenge for the
murder OF English missionaries, and the
rest tor the billions Of dollars damages
already done to British commerce. Sails
bury will soon be forced to take a lead
in the attack or resign So soon as Eng
land appears TO be doing more than her
share OF the fighting. and occupies more
than her share OF the ports, the Powers
will GALL a halt, II Salisbury, who fore
saw the danger months ago, is allowed
to remain at the helm, all may be we 1
even then; but the wise and conservative
methods Of that great statesman have
already made him the mark Of the
"khakr party, who are demanding his
resignation even before the worst phase
Of the crisis is come. The war party
appears to be hurIying the nation into
a conflict in which there is no hope of
success; and as Lord Salisbury said in
an address delivered before a famous
London social club six weeks ago, the
chances for a " orldwide war have never
been so bright as now. By lust what
methods England means to meet the
enemies certain to spring up on every
side in such an event, is not 80 apparent.
AS has been said, the English people
have been led to believe that the Anglo
Saxon alliance of which so much has
been said, is an assured fact. In which
case, for America as for England, the
paramount issue" would be whether
or not John Bull can induce Brother
Jonathan to pull his chestnuts out OF the
6rel