The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-07-05


agricultural produce to the coast, even at
very reduced rates and that tobacco,
hides, and ivory and under certain con.
ditiOns, cotton, were the only articles
which could afford to pay for export even
at very reduced rates of transportation
from those existing at present. No Off
cial tariff of freights changeable by the
railway has been formally published. As
things are, the cost of transport by camel
from Harar to the railroad is about POS.
per ton. But this amount would be very
materially reduced il a cart road could
be constructed between the city and the
terminus. an operation which might easily
be carried out at a comparatively small
outlay How far there is an immediate
prospect of any large development OF ag-
ricultural production in the districts ad-
jacent TO the province of Harar is a moot
point on which 1 do not feel competent to
express my opinion. All l can say is that
my French informants attached extreme
Importance to the tendency of railways TO
open up new sources of production. while
my English informants argued that there
could be no material increase of agricul-
tural production without irrigation; that
there was no native capital available for
purposes of irrigation, and that foreign
capital was not likely to he invested in
the development of Abyssinian enterprise
SO long as there was no possibility Of pur
chasing lands in freehold. or on leases Of
any serious duration. or so long as there
remained a doubt as to the maintenance
of order and law in the event Of the death
* n
to be said on both sides. The only contri-
button I can afford to the controversy
from my personal observation is that UNI
der the reign Of Menelek foreigners can
travel unarmed throughout a very wild
and desolate country. amid a semi-savage
population with absolute immunity from
outrage or molestatiou or even annoy
ance. This immunity from danger is.
am assured. simply due 10 the abject ter
Tor inspired among the natives OF the
consequences which would inevitably ac-
crue to them If they incurred the dis
pleasure Of the Negus But. after all, the
maintenance Of order and tranquility is
the first step towards civilization, and
this boon. as any rate. Menelek has con
ferred upon his subjects. He has also
introduced n new silver coinage, minted
in France and based upon the decimal
system in lieu OF the old Maria Theresa
dollars.
statistics are unknown in Abyssinis, but
the population Of Hsrar Is estimated by
all the foreign residents with whom l
made acquaintance at between S0o00 and
a.. 00e-aearer the latter figure than the
former-and I should judge myself. from
the dense crowds in the streets this esti- /
mate was below the mark The bazaar !
consists OF three long winding narrow /
streets juttinC OF from the market place I
II these streets there must De some hun 1
dreds Of booths or stalls within which the /.
native merchants. Somalis. Ganas. Arabs, ]
Armenians. PersiaEs. and Hindus. sit 4
squatjinr cross-legged waiting for custo- /
me-s. The wares displayed in these booths 4
we've. as a rule. bales OF Manchester shirt
ing. American calico and native muslin. 4
Besides these / saw piles Of cheap cutlery.
silver bangles bead sand q collection OF 4
the heterogeneous articles which used in
ny time in South Africa 70 De known by
the expressive name OF "Kacir truck. -
/ admit that II has been asked what
would give for the whole stock in trads
OF the bazaar merchants J should have
been afraid 10 bly, ee1o a los. but I have
seen enough Of Eastern countries TO know
that IL is impossible II say how far the
shop front IS a standard by which you
can safely estimate the value o. the
shops contents / can remember in the
days before the British occupation the
aspect q such important native Egyptian
towns as Tantah .Assiut. Damahur. and
zagazig. and doubt whether their aspect
u those days Mould have inspired fnaa- 1