The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18

mechanical toys-sheep that squeaked. pigs
that about their hind legs. and dolls
that talked. They thought such things
would be certain to tickle the fancy of
dusky king.
Menelik looked at them for moment
with disgust and rage. then he thrust them
aside.
do you think" he asked, "that 1 am
child or a savage, that L should delight in
toys?'
The Russian or English emissaries show
ed truer insight into his character. They
brought him Mauser pistols. revolvers and
the latest and best rifles they could buy.
He was delighted
''These are gifts worthy to be received by
a warrior and a king" he declared.
The influence of the Russians and English
over Menelik dates from that lucky Incl
dent. but the French have always been bad
iy represented at his court After Kitch-
ener's victory al Omdurman, the French at
Adds Adeba assured Menelik that the Eng
Iish had been beaten. with the loss of 5000
men,. When he heard the truth later, that
Kitchener had crushed the Dervishes with
the loss OF only 323 of his soldiers, he ex-
claimed in disgust. "what liars they are!"
Since then he has never believed word the
French ENJOYS have told him. and he al
ways speaks of them in contempt.
HE LIKES THE TRUTH.
Menelik is a truthful, straightforward,
daring monarch, and he likes men of his
own type. His fine qualities were shown
in the dispute which precipitated his war
with Italy and in the war itself.
Count Antonelli, an Italian envoy, wanted
him to sign a treaty giving Italy protecto-
rate over his country. For hours the count
sat in conference with Menelik, proposing
clause after clause of that treaty only to
have each one rejected in turn. AT last, in
despair. he said, ''wiil you propose some
thing them"
Queen Taitu, Meneliks consort. who had
sat silently by mis- side during the nego-
tiations, replied:
Eyes, there Is only one treaty which the
Emperor of Ethiopia will make, and it
needs only one clause. He will bind himself
to the King of Italy never to give one inch
of his territory 10 any foreign nation, and
never to grant protectorate to Italy, or
any other European nation"
THAT means war" said the Italian.
81 know it," replied Menelik. ''but the
Queen has spoken my mind Go back to
your King and tell him | am ready for the
worst he can do"
The story of the war that followed is we'll
known. All the world is aware that Meme
Xix proved himself capable general and
born leader of men. but few people know of
the humanity which he displayed at the
great battle of Adua, in which the Italians
were utterly routed. With immense labor
he organized rough field hospitals and sur
gical help for the wounded of both sides.
He went personally into the thick of the
battle and brought in many wounded men
under fire. The Italian prisoners, of whom
he took great numbers, had no cause to
complain of their treatment He even gave
them pocket money TO spend while they
were ON parole in his capital.
That war established Meneliks right to
be regarded as civilized monarch, at all
events for the purposes of warfare. and in
recognition of his humanity Abyssinia was
admitted as a party to the Geneva conven-
tion.. with the cordial consent of Italy.
Since then. Abyssinian troops have fought
side by side with British soldiers against a
common foe-the Mad Mullah-and the
British officers have had nothing except
praise for their courage and discipline.
Menelik's character commands admira-
ton. and nearly all the Europeans who
have visited him speak of him with enthu-
siastic praise. Even the European mer-
chants who have gone TO his country TO in
vest their money and have been put out of
business by his practical monopoly are
constrained TO admit that personally he is
an extremely decent fellow Among his
own people he Is as popular as any king
could be. He rules them as a despot, but
ne is the most benevolent of, despots.
HE DENIED HIMSELF
Years ago there was long and terrible
famine in Abysslnia A pest killed off the
cattle. on which the Abyssinians mainly de-
pend for food as they are the greatest
meat eaters on earth For three years.
while the famine lasted. Menelik would eat
no meat.
why should / enjoy plenty, he said,
while my people are 'starving2"
He formed large camps of his soldiers in
the districts worst afflicted by the famine.
and made the soldiers till the soil TO provide
food for the starving people. At first the
soldiers scorred the work, but the Emperor
went around 10 the camps and sowed and
plowed with his own hands. until he
taught them the nobility of the task.
In the days of his youth. Menelik was a
great fighter He won his kingdom by the
sword. and his title OF "Coaqucring Lion
Is no idle boast Since he became Negus
Nagasti he has nut down many formida BILE