The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-03
Visit to King MeneLik
Described by HuSSey
More Than One Hundred Men and Eighty
eight Animals in CaraVan---DanakiIs'
King Demanded SAT Toll.

An official report that, despite its
formaHty, reads like a romance, has
been received AT the Navy Department
from Lieut.. c. l.. Hussey, L s. n. who
commanded the escort OF marines and
seamen for Robert p. Skinner. United
States consuI-general at Marseiiies.
when he Travelled into Ethiopia TO make
treaty with Emperor Menelik Of Abys-
sinia. Not the least surprising state
ment in the report is that Menelik. far
In the wilds of his little known domain,
was kept informed of the progress Of
the American party by telephone.
After much trouble the caravan was
finally organized at Dire Daona. the end
OF the nearest railroad line TO Adds
Abeba, Menelik's capital, and started
of for Harrar Few Of the saiIormen and
marines knew how to ride and a num-
Der were thrown from their mules. but
nobody was seriously hurt until later in
the journey, when Capt George c.
Thorpe, commanding the marine guard.
sot severe shaking up.
Nephew Meets Party.
Ras Makonan, Emperor MeneIik' $
nephew, who rules at Harrar, sent out a
messenger TO ask the expedition If it
we're a private or an official af.air. a cir
cumstance due TO the fact that some OF
the foreign representatives were trying
to make II appear that the mission was
a private undertaking. in order 10 de
feat its object" His highness the ras,
With 1000 native troops. met the expe-
dition outside the walls OF Harrar and
treated the Americans first rate while
they were his guests
The expedition consisted Of % Ameri-
cans, % natives, 3 Somali soldiers, &
camelmen, 2 camel women 20 riding
mules bell mare, Pack mule and ~
pack camels In addition says Lieu
tenant Hussey. there were 4 large num-
Der Of hangers-On and travellers who
Journeyed with US for safety and com
pany, so that there were over 100 in the
personnel Of the expedition and So AMI
maIs were employed. An old Arab.
Saleh, the head OF the camelmen and
the guide Of the party. tried to make
trouble because he had lost his mule
but as Lieutenant Hussey gently re-
marks, I discouraged him
Attempt to Mislead.
Then the Danakil camelmen, under
Salehs advice tried to lead the expedi-
ton off by the wrong road. Captain
Thorpe bound their leader, and the
eamelmen. armed with lances and
knives, started TO make an attack on
the Americans, but changed their minds
when the marines and bluejackets took
aim. and they returned 10 work
AT Ellabella, one of our camping
places in the Danakil country" says
Lieutenant Hussey, the King OF the
Danakils. a rough-loOking youth of sew
enteen. with a considerable number OF
his men. who always carry the shield.
lance and knife, visited our camp. and
after begging various things to eat he
demanded 100 thalers (S4f. 81 bounty
from the commission for passing through
his country, saying that unless il was
paid he would not permit the camels TO
be loaded. This unusual demand made
front was assumed and the King told
to leave our camp
Received by Emperor.
eve were received by the Emperor.
seated on his throne. surrounded By his
leading chiefs. a bright. inteIligent-Iooh-
ing group Of men. all richly clad. The
Emperor is a large. powerfully built
man of about sixty with bright. pleas
ant eye and kindly face. although much
disfigured by smallpox. He is still alert
and active. and impresses one as being
a man Of great force and ability in his
country His clothes-the style of dress
peculiar TO Abyssinia-were of silk He
also wore dark satin cape trimmed
with gold. had large diamond earrings.
and around his head a white cloth was
tightly drawn and knotted behind
after receiving the commissioner
party and the officers with a cordial
handshalle he directed us TO be seated
close to the throne. and in the half hour
interview which followed, during which
the commissioner stated the object OF
the expedition and presented the silver
plate on which was engraved the invita-
ton to visit the st. Louis Exposition,
the Emperor impressed US as a progress
sive ruler of great force and ability
There were a thousand or more natives
present during the interview. and what
was particularly striking was the good