Bisbee daily review., 1904-02-09
Consul Skinner
 In Abyssinia
MR. SKINNER SAYS AMERICANS HAVE BEEN TOO INDIFFERENT.
With His Party Back at MarseiIies- Is Enthusiastic Over Their Reeep- ton by the kegus.

Marseilles. Feb. S.-The following details of the American Governmental nilsson to Emperor Menelik of Abys- sinia, which was led by the United States consul general here, Robert P. Skinner, have been obtained
 Mir. Skinner's party arrived here yesterday on board the steamer Victo- ra- The American marines and blue jackets who accompanied the expedi- ton were left at Alden, and went on to join the United States gunboat Ma chias.
 MT. Skinner and the other members Of the party are in good health, and they speak enthusiastically of the re ception accorded to them by the Ne gus. On the way to the coast the Party saw one elephant and heard a lumber of lions, but experienced no exciting adventures. In the course of an interview, MT. Skinner said:
 President Roosevelt selected a most opportune time for establishing relations with Ethiopia, as Americans heretofore have been indifferent to the remarkable development which is HOW going on in Abyssinia. Our clothes pass through many hands be- fore being sold at high prices in Abys- Synia, but now Americans have oppor- t1nities to conduct their own trade.
 "Menelik will send some of the pro Glcts of his country to the St. Louis exposition. as well as a commission composed of able men, to show the Americans commercial opportunities in Abyssinia The Negus is a broad minded statesman, who will welcome Americans"
 In the course of the visit of the Skinner party to the capital, Menelik received them surrounded by an i'm posing assemblage of 1000 functiona- ries- The escort of American marines established a camp called Camp Roosevelt" which attracted great eeal of interest
 The emperor made a personal in spection of the camp, which lasted for three hours, and after having wit messed the manoeuvers of the marines he asked one of the men for his gun, he loaded and fired it. This act on the part of the Negus aroused much enthusiasm. The visiting Americans were impressed with the assimilative ability of the Abyssinians.
 Mir. Skinner says that the country is being rapidly modernized, and that Few oads, bridges, water supplies, and telephone and telegraph lines are being constructed He considers the Abyssinians to be the Japanese of Africa" He points out, however, that the postal and banking systems are defective and unsatisfactory. The money is on a silver basis. Mr. Skin Ter believes that Americans will find large field for activity in the gold, coal, petroleum and asphalt pcssibili- ities of Abyssinia.
 An official report of the result of the mission has been forwarded to Washington.
 ng, the confidential adviser Of Meme iek, will start on his return to .Abys- sinia tomorrow.
 In an interview he said that Abys- sinia would continue to do her utmost to favor French interests. but that she was having 8 serious struggle against foreign influences. He said also that 4 SMenelek intended to. prove his good feeling for France by visiting this country in the course of the present gear.
 Rome, Feb. S.-According to news received by the Foreign Office here. Emperor Menelek is not likely to leave Abyssinia because of the pcliti- cal situation there.
 rhe~e is alreody candida for the succession to the throne. and the Ne gu. .els that his departure would De a signal for civil warfare among the different chefs.