The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-20
OUR SHARE IN AFRICAN TRADE.
LONDON HEARS VIZ ARE GOING
AFTER 1T WITH WARSHIP.
The Story Sends Consul Skinner, Escorted
by Armed American Marines, Oser-
land to King Meueiik Of Abyssinia to
Negotiate Commercial Treaty.
Special Caos Despatch to TIN sum.

Special Cable Despatch to TIN SUN.
LONDON, Sept. 1o.-The paroelling out OF
the African continent smong the European
Powers by ettablt hing exclusive ephers
Of infi,,e nee over areas touching the o0ast.
with claims to the vast hinterlands not yet
occupied, is not a matter Of indidere nee to
the United States Cove rnment, II circum-
etantial rrport- which have reached here
are we'll found d.
OF the d sirable regions Of Africa only
Morocco and Abys sinia are now indepen-
dent. France is active ly aiming at a pro-
tectorate over Morocco. while England Is
trying to get paramount influence in
Abys tinia.
II tn go States foil into European hands
tho Unite d States will see tho whole CONT
n mt pcrmans ntly closed TO It's CONNIE roe
and influe nee. To obviato this It is taid
that the American Cow rnment has d.
cid d to opon negotiations with King
M n lik Of Aby.sinia with the object Of
securing his country from the danger
Of h ing dominate by any European
nation.
The United States is the only Power from
whose ambition he has nothing to far
His frit nds hip with that country Is ali the
moro vaiuable, ae, according to prose mt
rrports, it will take the form OF financial
protection.
Az a result Of secret negotiations II Is
said that Robert p. Skinner, the naeIfcan
Cons ul &c neral at Mar eilles, who Ia now
RI turning to HE port from America, will
start for Judith in the middle Of October
upon an American warship. lie will pro-
oee d thence to the Abys sinian capital ovs r
land escorted by armed American marines.
IroNA lieu UiIs lIeiicn Gov nnsLt Nil
give the necessary assent he will traverse
French territory. A request FOR this per-
mi sion, it is understood, has already been
made M. Delcaks6. the French Mimi or
OF FyIeign AfYelrs, has not yet replied, but
he will certainly not refuse consent.
Mr.. SINNERS object will Go the conclu-
zion Of commercial treaty. This project
will apparently be entirely Independent,
but, as inquiries 60 to show, VIII really DO
in cooperation with William h. Ellis. who
ia now starting for AJyssinia on the in
vitation OF King Menelik.
The nc.ure of his visit, which is to make
a gene al observation of the country with a
view 70 its development, has already been
bril- A. described.
Mr.. Ellis has already left Paris. His
escort from Earrar will consist OF 200 men
with ca1nels and mules. Mr.. Ellis, who
comes from Cuba and lived In Mexico,
is OF mixed African, English and Spanish
blood. he takes letters from q big Amt ri
can syndicate recommending him to King
Menelik as a man OF honesty and capacity.
Whether Re and Mr. Skinner will meet
and where il . i'll unsettled. Mr.. Ellis has
had trouble ia Paris by reason Of some Of
his CORES pondence being held up.
NO WAR VESSEL TO co. So PAR AS KNOWN
WASHINGTON, Sept 10.--Conf!rmatio ion OF
the report from London that United State q
Consul Skinner, at Marseilles, is to go to
Abyssina to arrange commercial treaty
with King Meneiik could not DO obtained
here tonight, S.,crei airy Hay and As
sistant Secretary Ioomis. who would know
about such a proposition, are out Of the
nent say that they have no knowledge that
any war vessel is desired by the State De-
paItrnent for such mission.
Consul General Skinner visited the State
Department several weeks ago while on his
leave and had several long conferences with
Acting Secretary Of State LOOMS, who
then explained that Mr. Skinner vas merely
talking over some ma t,rs reat.n to the
duties Of his post.
That a proposition may have been sug-
gestel by MIR. Skinner looking to an i'm
provement OF the commercial rela'io . Of
the United States with ALyssinia is con-
silcred very probable, but officers OF the
Navy Depar tnent say that no arrangement
whatever has teen made for the use OF any
vnssel of the navy by Mr.. Skinner.
The only vessel available at this time il
the Machias, which is at Port Said, and
which could easily 60 UP to the East Coast
Of Africa. il needed, by passing through the
Suez Canal and the Red Sea.