The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-02-01
ABYSSINIA
WELCOMES
AMERICANS
King M0nGlik Wants
Our Factories
Products.
Great Commercial Field Is
Opened to United
States.
Consul Skinner, Back From Ethiopia,
Reports Hearty Reception by Its
Picturesque Sovereign.

MARSEILLES. France. Jan. 9-The
following details Of the governmental
mission to King Menelik Of Abyssinia,
which was led by United States Consul
General Robert P. Skinner. haye been
obtained SINNERS Party arrived here
yesterday on board the steamship Vic
tOria. The American marines and blue
jackets who accompanied the expedi-
ton were left at Alden and went on to
join the American gunboat AIachias.
Consul skinner and the other mem
bers Of the party are in good health
and they speak enthusiastically Of the
reception accorded them by King Meme
Xix. On the way to the coast the party
saw one elephant and heard a number
OF lions, but experienced no exciting ad-
venture In the course Of an Interview
Skinner said:
President Roosevelt selected most
opportune time for establishing rela-
tions with Ethiopia, as Americans here
tof0re have been too Indifferent to the
remarkable development which is now
going on in Abyssinia. Our cotton
goods pass through many hands before
being sold at high prices in Abyssinia,
but now Americans have an oppOrtun-
ity to conduct their own trade. King
Menelik viii send some Of the products
~ his country to the St. Louis expOsi-
ton. as well as a commission composed
% able men to SHOW the American COM
mercial opportunities in Abyssinia. The
King is a broad-minded statesman, who
viii welcome Americans"
MENELIK VISITS MARINES.
During the visit OF the skinner party
At the capital King Menelik received
them, surrounded by an imposing as
sembage Of 1000 functionaries. The es-
cOrt II American marines established a
camp called Camp Roosevelt" which
attracted a great deal Of interest.
The King made a personal inspection
of the camp which lasted three hours
and after having witnessed the ma
neuvers Of the marines, he asked one
Of the men for his rife and loaded and
fired it, This act on the part Of the
King pleased the visitors greatly.
The Americans were impressed with
the sssimilative ability Of the Abys-
sinisns. Consul Skinner saying that the
country is being rapidly mOdeTnized
and that roads. bridges, water sup
plies. telephones and telegraph lines
are being constructed. He considers
The Abyssinians the Japanese" of
-AAAANo- Az lDlLlc Out however. lndI
the postal and banking systems are de-
fective and unsatisfactory. The money
is Oh silver basis.
Consul Skinner believes that Ameri-
cans viii find large field for activity
IN the gold, coal, petroleum and asphalt
possibilities ri Abyssinia. An official
report % the result Of the mission has
been forwarded to Washington.
FRIENDLY TOWARD FRANCE.
llg. the confidential adviser Of King
Menelik. viii return TO Abyssinia to-
morrow I'D an interview he said
Abyssinia would continue 10 do her ut
most 10 favor French interests. but
that she was having a serious struggle
against foreign influences. He said that
King Menelik intended to prove his
good feeling for France by visiting that
country during the present year.
ROME. Jan. 3L-According 10 news
received by the Foreign Office here
King Meaelik is not likely to leave
Abyssinla, because or the political Sit
uation there. There is already a candi-
date for succession to the throne and
he fears that his departure would be
q signal for civil warfare among the
different chiefs. Therefore. it is con-
sidereo impossible for the King TO visit
the st. Louis exposition.