Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03
Hostility Encountered in the
Abyssinian Expedition.
CAPT. THORPE'S REPORT
ATTACKS PREVENTED ONLY BY
DISPLAY OF GREAT FIRMNEss.
Dispute With Camelmen The Chief
Subsided-An Alarm at Night-Re-
ception by King Menelik.

The report of Capt. George C. Thorpe,
commanding the marines the Skinner
expedition to Ads Abeba, Abyssinia, where
visit was paid to King Menelik. has been
received by Brigadier General Elliott COM
mandant of the marine corps. Although
this expedition was a complete success in
every way, Captain Thorpe states that it
was not without it's perils, and speaks Of
an instance where only great firmness and
the leveling of rifles at number of DankaI
camelmen prevented an attack
The caravan was composed of three sec
tons. one of Arabs, one of Abyssinians and
about thirty of the camels from the Dankali
tribe, the most savage and rebellious people
of Ethiopia. Captain Thorpe states that
at one point of the journey the trail d-
vided, the right being the beginning of the
desert route, the left the middle route part
desert and part mountainous. Lieutenant
Hussey with the advance, had taken the
former route. but when the Dankali men
VINO We're with the rear party were ready
TO take the opposite trail Captain Thorpe
says he stopped the caravan.
The Chief Put in Bonds.
Il ordered the chief Councilman to follow
the advance says Captain Thorpe Con-
tfnuing, he says: "Then an exciting dis
cussion began between the chief Councilman
and our interpreter, during which, with the
help of the men with me, l got the camels
started by the right trail and sent all but
four men to follow them up but thew only
went snort distance, when all the camel
men leaders (there were two women lead
ers) left their camels and came to the rear
and announced that they were going to quit
the caravan and go to their homes 1 did
not detain them, but bound their chief hand
ana foot When the DankaH men saw him
oouhu phey rushed toward us with their
spears. The four marines with me had
dlsmounted, and 1 ordered them to load
and aim over their saddles. Looking into
the muZzles of our rifles and revolvers the
spearmen halted. In this situation the
cmef was told that he could go our way
voluntarily or be dragged. He finally con-
sented to our demands, and from this time
on we had little difficulty with the DankaIi
men,"
An Alarm at Night.
capt Thorpe refers to another instance
IN Dankalland when the king visited their
camp and demanded SAT. When refused. the
captain states. that some of his people
threatened to attack, and during the night
there was an alarm. After midnight
reconnaissance however. Capt. Thorpe
states he felt fairly secure
The entry into Adis-Abeba is described as
1olIoWs: About noon December Is We
matted at Shola. one hours march from
Ad1s-Abeba, where we were met by
ccGnsellors. We shifted into special full
dress uniforms here and in the afternoon
started into the capital. The hills and
plains were covered with thousands of war
riors and chiefs Enthusiastically dressed In
hon or leopard skins and decorated with
lion names or ostrich feathers waiting to
receive u.s. They were all well mounted on
splendid Arab horses or zebra-like mules
many richly caparsoned."
Reception by Menelik.
Amid the greatest confusion of warriors,
he says. and the din of trumpets and tom
toms the marines rode along in excellent |
formation and splendid appearance for |
about an hour and half, until the gebi |
or emperors palace, was reached, where the |
command dismounted and following the
diploma attic representatives entered long |
hail. at the opposite end of which Emperor |
Menelik II, sitting his feet and nearly |
buried in cushions, received the visitors. |
The hail. Capt. Thorpe says, was packed |
with misunderstanding warriors in their
savage costumes and heavily armed:
Day before Christmas, Capt. Thorpe says, |
Emperor Menelik visited the American
camp and looked on with apparent interest |
and asked many questions while the ma
rires were put through few drills. Upon
taking leave Emperor Menelik presented |
the Menelik medal to all the enlisted men |
and the Star of Ethiopia to Lieut.. Hussey
and Capt Thorpe.
The return trip was without incident
says Capt. Thorpe. On the march, he says |
two marines were constantly on guard over |
the lions and elephant tusks which the |
emperor was sending to President Roose- |
welt.
Capt Thorpe says. more than forty camps |
were made and the United States flag hoist |
ed in forty different places, where it never |
before had been seen.