New-York tribune., 1906-11-17

Longrans, Green Co.
Consul General sknners account Of the ao-
ventures and reception OF the first mission sent
by the United States to Abyssinia Is set Iorlh
in q lively and entertaining style and thro"s
much new light upon that little known country
The expedition which owes its origin almost en-
tire1v 10 Mr.. skinner's initiative, was under
taken for the purpose Of establishing CONNER
cial relations with Abyssinia, or. as its inhaol-
+an+s prefer 10 call it. Ethiopia. In its purpose
the mission differs essentially from those OF al
other nations which have established relations
with the Emperor Menelik, IN that il was en-
tirelv divorced from any political signlncance-
1t was undoubtedly the tnpossibilitv OF attrlout-
ing any Interior motive TO the undertaking
that emphasized the authors welcome ana en-
abied him to accomplish his ends without the
harassing delays which are supposed TO De
characteristic Of diplomatic negotiations with
that proud isolated serni-civilized. Christian
| African nation. 1t is possible. Of course that
| the official position of the author and not un-
| natural desire TO exalt the Importance or his
| mission may have led him to paint IN too glow
| ing tones his picture Of Abysstntan civilization
and character. But making every allowance
for Mr.. SINNERS point Of view. the country ana
| the people stand revealed in his descriptions as
! highly picturesque.
| Whether or not we accept the Emperor Meme
| ,il,,s account of his direct descent from King
| Solomon and the Queen Of Sheba-of which the
/ author gives a circumstantial account taken
| from Ethiopian traditions-he, at least Is
monarch Of no ordinary capacity. MI. skinner
| goes SO far az to credit him with the construc-
+t,,a intelligence of a Bismarck, and the faculty
Of handling men by sheer amiability OF NC
Kiplev." 4 characteristic story Is told OF MS
| a,er+ion or his rebeious vassal. the King OF
Kafa:
Ilat lie a
+Ta datT HitSo;1t sleeves and had himself fed by
say IN order s1ies ssI hs Vas made prisoner and
Brought Adds Adaba Upon ehsiIns Ig oS Karfa
prostrated himself in sign OF AFFECT Mss ha
flnaly ne teailca d '7 stope upon the back of his
zen !'@ ND al ms waited for Menek TO speak The
] -L'Peto9 ,iirh he Prince Of KaFa had done him
and his soldiers cried out injury yt bad continued
for moments the Negus rose ata iona and
rise You are less be blamed than these men, me
wished sentence To- be Passs@ "a rose and Sen
tence was deferred until the Emperor IN MS Sc cai1.ls :
/ moments able 10 devise 1uaslh7"' 'N0
/ wise We'll IS just
An incident that came under the authors oo-
.sarvatfon is evidence that the Emperor has a
ouick sense of humor, Learning that the
Americans used blank cartridges for salutins
ru~posee-they are practically unknown in
I7tbiopia-he created great CONSERVATION
ar7onr his court by shooting off a magazin"
fpU from rifle Ct open doorway, where a
crowd Of interested spectators had assembled.
Requesting that few Of the blank cartridges
he given to him, he said Il am going 10 my
! nt,-y ,,iac- al Addis-Alem next week and l
shan he accompanied by many officers. l ex-
MOT f. amusc myself With these cartridges /
Shall be able 10 teach some % my officers to
show courage under fire.
Another notable parsonage encountered by
ia. author was the Ras Makonnen. tho Gov
arnor o< Harrar, whose recent death has de-
pri,ed the Emperor Of one of his most able
. / Demonstrations His wisdom in dealing with
.r. MIA frfrc Of GaIas. over whom he ruled
il .,.,.~rr.fed ,y tae following anccdotc:
/ ys-,,a- tt,~ Gne now highway was projected be-
..,-er LiIt -Ijsuouah aud HerIar y became ueces
- la0.se-lf. the land ItTed for its corstruc-
go -'- frtIas v4it-d upon tHe Ras MakOnnen
ta-l- a,yernor Their iarIas would ne ruined. they