The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-25
TALKS OF TRIP TO
MENELIK'S EMPIRE
Consul General Skinner De.
scribes His Mission-A Ro-
nance of History.

NEW YORK, Oct 24-""The object of
my trip to the throne Of Menelik, the
descendant of Solomon and the queen
of Sheba is to put on the map, as far
as this country is concerned, an en-
pire which has hitherto had no rela-
lions with the United States. 1t is
probably an expedition unprecedented
In our diplomatic history. It is as IL
one man who knew of another at
distance should suddenly seek him,
and say: Here, you are a good fell
low. : am good fellow; let us be good
friends" said Consul General Robert
P. Skinner, on the eve of his departure
from New York for Abyssinia, the
ancient Ethiopian empire at the head
waters of the Nile.
MY first mission will be to pay my
respects to Emperor Menelik, and lay
before him an invitation to participate
in the Louisiana purchase exposition,
continued Consul Skinner. Whether
the emperor will accept in person or
not 1 cannot say. He is monarch
of progressive ideas and of great re-
puted wisdom, though he does not af-
feet European customs, bur adheres to
the ancient forms"
MeneIik Admires Americans.
The idea of invading and introduce
ing Yankee notions into the heart of
the impregnable empire that Italy and
France has failed to Colonize is the
conception of Consul Skinner. AT Mar
settles, his official post, he was brought
into touch with the ENJOYS of Negus
Menelik at the time of the Paris ex-
position. He learned that Menelik ad-
mired the Americans, and he knew that
French and Swiss merchants were
reaping the rewards of trdaing in
American goods. He reported to the
state department that activities Of the
powers, bidding to support Emperor
Menelik, were purely along political
lines. He learned that the representa-
tives of Italy, France, Russia and
Great Britain were being permanently
established at Adds Ababa, the cap
ital. In spite Of this, "the interests
of the United States are probably
greater than those of all the other
descendant of Solomon and the queen
Skinner, "but these conditions are en-
tirely due to the efforts of individual
traders, all of them foreigners, who
have found it advantageous to deal
with American manufacturers. And
yet we have no representative either
automatically or commercially, in this
great nation of 100000 Of people who
adopted the Christian religion in the
fourth century, and whose ruler is
powers combined" said Consul General
of Sheba."
The thought led Consul Skinner to
propose the establishment of perma-
nent diplomatic relations. TT will be
my effort" he said ito bring to the at
tention Of Emperor Menelik the adj
visibility of formulating treaty with
this country, and to show him the
advantages his countrymen and ours
will gain by the establishment of rec
Ognized rights to trade and residence,
and to define the benefits to both ma
lions of opening up direct trade rela-
lions. [ will tell him we want the
products of his country, and we de-
sire to sell him ours through resident
American merchants"
Consul General Skinner is sanguine
of success. Meneliks expressed inter-
est in President Roosevelt is we'll
known. 1t came about in a strange
way. Through resident missionaries in
Abyssinia the Negus met an American
girl who was a skilled pianist. He en-
gagged her at the palace, the story runs,
and it was she who told him of the
military career of the rough rider
president. The recital interested him
deeply. He sent to Paris and secured
a life Of Roosevelt. He had it trans
lated, and his admiration for the hero
of San Juan increased. Then he or
dered it printed in the native tongue
and distributed among the people.
Il have no fear" Consul General
Skinner declared. The natives are as
=, - CO O0'0"' INC VI luS SIipS VI
the European squadron will take me
to Djibouti, the French port of Africa,
opposite Alden. AS to the equipment
for the trip, it will be provided by the
navy. L will be accompanied by an
escort of marines, though it is not nee
essary, think, for my safety. In ORR
entail countries, as you understand, an
official travels with a suite. 1t is Gus
tomary, and one would hardly main
tain his position and the respect of the
inhabitants if he journeyed on a state
mission unaccompanied.
300 Miles by cameIs.
AT Djibouti 1 will take the train
over the French railroad to Harlan
the market town of Abyssinia. There