New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-05

from the Jewish King Solomon and from the
Ethiopian Queen OF Sheba, the founder OF the
reigntng house Of Abyssinia, Menelik by name
having been born the Queen shortly after her re-
turn from her memorable visit to King Solomon at
Jerusalem
lie Roux, after obtaining permission from the
Negus to visit the islands OF the sacred lake OF
Zonai, in the interior discovered there IN a semi
ruined monastery papyri dating back 10 the days
Of King Solomon and the Queen Of Sheba when
establish the truth OF the relations OF the EthIoo-
ian Queen and King Solomon and ascri6e 10 him
the paternity of Menelik, the son whom she gave
birth on her return home. and who founded the
present line Of rulers OF Abyssinia So delighted
was the present Emperor Menelik with this dis
Covery that he not only conferred upon lie ttouA
the Grand Cross Of his Order Of Solomon. Of which
King Edward is the only other Grand Gordon, but
likewise gave him permission to continue the rail-
road line from its present terminus of Diridana 10
Adds Absba. the capital OF the empire, ohiy sup
ulating that lie Roux shall obtain the approval or
the English government TO the scheme For, al
though the railroad which from the French
. seaport the Red Sea coast, DIbuti was punt
entirely with French capital. il has now oASseu 10
4 great extent into the hands OF English investors
Both France and England have been endeavorlng
for years without success to get Menelik to allow
the railroad to be continued from Dirdana to the
CAPITAL, and lie Rouxs victory has given as much
satisfaction to France to England, since 1t Will
virtually have the effect OF opening up the Ethi-
OMAN Empire TO the trade of both countries
Of srfu greater interest from q scientific and
archaeological point of view Is the PERMISSION "Ilch
Ie Roux has obtained from the Negus TO lnsuIuta
n thorough exploration Of the islands OF the sacred
lake Of Zonai These islands. which, untl the day
,,-ba,, z-isifsa nv Il Roux, had never been seen
save in The distance, by white man, are dotted
with ancient rnonasteries, most Of them III runs
and only q few Of them inhabited by ignorant
monks who have no knowledge or power 10 compre-
bend me Importance of the treasures within the
walls Of their abode. For it Is known that at the
time of the great Mahometan invasion, about four
hundred wears ago all the sacred relics and the
treasures of the nation, all the historical records.
and in fact everything of value bundled of to
thu. nlonasteries of the island Of zonai and con-
cealed there in order 10 protect them from being
carried of destroyed by the Mosems.
IL is a matter of tradition in Abyssiuia and Of
l,e1ieF in the scientific world OF Europe that the
original Jewish Ark of the Covenant, containing the
AIosaicaI stone tables of law. the seven-branched
candIesricl ana all the other treasures Of the
Temple Of solomon. which disappeared from Jeru-
salem at the time of the so-CaIed Jewish captiv-
.rv were dispatched by the Jewish high priests
for safety 10 Abyssinia. where the Queen Of Sheba
had after her return from Jerusalem established
the Jewish faith which subsisted until Christianity
was introduced into the country few centuries
after the birth Of Christ. Il is generally believed
that the Ark Of the Covenant along with all the
other relics contained IN the Holy of Holes Of
the Temple of solomon, viii be found in some Of
these monastery islands OF Lake Zouai. Whether
these suppositions well founded or not. there
is doubt that thorough and systematic expIora-
ton Of the sacred islands Of Lake Zoua will re-
suit ir finds Of extraordinary value aud interest
from scientific archaeological and historical points
Of view since owing 20 the fea ous care with which
foreigners have been kept away from the islands
they are from the Doint of view OF the explorer
an tntonts ana purposes virgin soil.
MARQUTSE DE FONTENOv.