Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-21
TO EXTEND OUR TRADE
Attempt to Be Made to Treat
With King Menelik.
a RARE UNDERTAKING
CONSUL GENERAL SKINNER's
Proposed EXPEDITION.
Accompanied by Marines Will March,
Hundreds Of Miles to the
Abyssinian Capital.
a RARE UNDERTAKING


Arrangements have been made by the
State Department for an official inspection
of the interior of eastern Africa. with a
view to the Introduction OF American trade
In that little known section OF the world.
If conditions are found to justify it. The
matter has been a subject of discussion be-
tween Mr.. Loomis, assistant. secretary OF
state. and Mr.. Robert +. Skinner. the United
States consul general at Marseille, who has
been in this country for several weeks past
on leave of absence. As result 1t has
been arranged that Mr.. Skinner shall pene-
trate the wilds of Abyssinia, with authority
to negotiate a commercial treaty with the
king of that country in the event that he
finds such course expedient and desirable.
To Take Guard Of Marines.
Inasmuch as the proposed trip will neces-
state a passage through hitherto unex-
plcred region supposed to be inhabited by a
semi-barbarous people and infested with
wild animals, 1t has been decided to pro-
vide Consul General Skinner with small
guard Of marines. numbering sixteen men.
commanded by sergeant, from the near
est available warship. The Navy Depart
ment has informed the State Department
that either the gunboat Machias at Port
Said or the cruiser San Francisco at Beirut
will probably soon be available for the pur-
pose Of taking Mr.. Skinner to Jibuti, the
harbor Of Somaliland. French province on
the east coast of Africa. From that point
the consul general and his small guard will
march overland to Ads Abeba, the capital
OF Abyssin1a, where the negotiations with
the king of that country Will be conducted.
The capital is about 800 miles in a straight
line from Jibuti. but the expedition will
have to traverse much greater distance
than that In reaching its destination, by
reason OF the absence Of open roads,
straight or otherwise. The trip will be
made by way of Harar, which Is the Abys-
slnfan settlement of any size nearest to the
coast. The country between there and the
capital is wild and mountainous and very
sparsefy settled. Application will be made
TO the French government for the Ameri-
can marines to Cross the Intervening French
territory under arms. This application will
undoubtedly be granted.
Object Of the Expedition.
A London telegram to the New York Sun
makes the following reference to the sup
posed undertakings
1.-THE parcelihg out Of the African CONT
nent among the European powers by es-
tablishing exclusive spheres of influence
over areas touching the coast, with claims
to the vast hipterlands not yet occupied is
not matter of Indifference to the United
states government II circumstantial re-
ports which have reached here are well
Aouiuco' VI Lib desirable regions OF Az
RIGA only Morocco and Abyssnia are now
Independent. France Is actively aiming at
protectorate over Morocco. while England
is trying to get paramount fuence in
Abyssnia.
IF these states fall into European hands
the United States will see the whole CONT
nent permanently closed to its commerce
and influence To- obyiate this 1t is said
that the American government has decided
to open negotiations with King Menelfk OF
Abyssinia. With the object of securing his
country from the danger Of being domi-
mated by any European nation"