Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-13

guarded. but which 1t has been said was an
oner OF marriage to Queen Victoria! Be
that as 1t may. the consul returned. but
there was no response. Theodoros was
FURIOUS; he threw the consul into prison
ana served likewise several messengers
sent to explain.
Napier of Magdala. who commanded in 1868
the memorable expedition to punish Theo-
doros Lord Napier said that his command
was composed of 1900 infantry. the num-
Der OF his comnissariat 1900 men, The
wisdom of such transportation was amply
justified by the character of the country
and the results obtained. The success was
than be taken committed suicide His son.
Alamayu. was sent to England to be edu-
Gated, but died in 1880.
In 1873 Egypt was led into war with
Abyssinia through the counsel OF her Ar
| menian minister. Nubar, and the Egyptian
army. Notwithstanding number of distin-
gushed American officers who participated.
was cut to pieces at Khya Khor. When
General Gordon was recalled from the
Sudan in 1879 he was intrusted with the
mission to King Johannes for the purpose
of renewing friendly relations interrupted
by the war. The king received Gordon with
violent manifestations of hatred. and threw
him into prison, and he was only released a
few days afterward when the king was
reminded Of the fate of his predecessor
Gordon, 1t appears. had offended the pro-
tocol of the Ethiopian court by appearing
without either hat or red silk umbrella,
then the symbols Of grandeur in Abyssinia.
In lieu thereof he had unconsciously worn
the Egyptian fez, which was certainly i'm
polite.
In December. 1888. when Gordon was re-
turning to the Sudan his self-imposed
fatal mission the writer was endeavoring
to induce the French government to per-
init group of French officers (retired) to
Join King Johannes and his army; smash
the mahdi and restore, France to her ante
bellum situation in Egypt.
-
Gordon, 1t will be recalled. had In the
meantime, entered Khartoum February 49,
1884. 1t will appear sin
opportunity gular to the reader that Ad-
Was Lost. mral Hewett made no effort
to utilize the Abyssinian
kings army of 10000 warriors. who were
more than a match for the mahdists, to re-
lieve Gordon, who had already suggested
such alternative.
King Johannes was eager to engage In the
undertaking. and understood with remark
able prescience the necessity OF having
with him a number Of trained European
officers who would dominate and control
the jealous rivalries of his native corps COM
manders. A golden opportunity was thus
lost. first by France, which could have re-
instated herself with England in the con-
dominium in Egypt; second by England,
which could have saved Gordon in spite of
Gordon himself.
The mahdists invaded Abyssinia in 1887
and captured and burned Goudar massa-
cring thousands. In 1889 they returned,
but King Tchaihaimanorut was prepared,
gave them a hot reception and whipped
them. inflicting great loss.
King Johannes had not forgotten the
ambitions which he had caused to be COM
municated in 1888. and mindful of the
massacres perpetrated, resolved to march
against the mahdi
"On the 9th of March," according to one
Of the COMMA taDfS ''fhP AhvosipiaD
under the command of King John attacked
the mahdists at Gallabat. His army num-
bered 10000. The attack was made with
10000 Ras Mangasha, the kings illegiti-
mate son. and Ras Aloula commanded the
right wing: the king with his favorite
troops the center; Ras Michael and King
Tchlaihaimout the left The mahdists.
who were in same numbers, were sur
rounded and literally cut to pieces. The
victory was complete. Unfortunately. King
Johannes was struck In the arm by stray
bullet. which detected and entered the in
testines. The wounds which were not con-
sidered mortal at first, developed serious
complications during the night, and the
king died within twenty-four hours
His death was the occasion of quarrels
over the succession. and each Of the con-
testants, with his partisans FASTENED to
return to Abyssina.
The body of the king. cut in half and
packed in boxes to facilitate transporta-
ton, had been left to follow in care of
Ras Areya, the kings uncle, who had
played a great part in Abyssinian history
In his time. He was now eighty years of
age. A few of the kings devoted servants
remained a guard of honor.
On the 18th the mahdists, surprised that
they had not been pursued, returned to
learn the mystery. They overlook the body
Ras Areya, grand old warrior that he was.
left upon the ground dying from a spear
wound from behind, were: Il am old and
done for. My time has come 1t is useless
Of INV RI hnr for
ways l do not know. 1t is better to die
fighting unbelievers like a man than as a
mule In a stable.
Menelk, King of Choa, succeeded to the
throne of the dead emperor. The King of
of Choa was the son Of
Menellks Haeli Melicoth, King of
Succession. Choa, and Menelik first bore
the name of Saba la Mariem.
When his father died, in 1856, the Emperor
Theodoros seized the prince and confined
him within the walls of Goudar. obliging
him to marry his daughter BAHAMA. The
prince appears to have been unreconciied
to the union, but 1t was not until 1856 that
he succeeded in escaping from the tolls of
his dread father-in-law and BAHAMA. Re-
turned to Choa, he assembled the throne of
his fathers, taking the title OF Menelik.
King of Choa. He made war with Theo-
doros and then with Johannes, and on the
death of the latter succeeded as emperor
under the title of Menelik IL.
Menelik in 1899 executed the treaty of
Ucchan with the Italians, who had became,
through the interference of the British the
successors Of the Egyptians at Massouah.
now called with it's adjacent territory
Erythrea. When Italy assumed that article
II of the treaty conferred the protectorate
upon her. Menelik was wroth. He protested
and finally declared war, which ended In
the disastrous defeat Of the Italians at
Amba-Alaghi and at Adowa. The treaty OF
Adds Ababa October g. 1896 abolished
the treaty Of Uechali and assured the COM
plete independence of Abyssinia.
Menelik is represented as man of rare
intelligence and has turned his attention to
the civilization of his country. Banafa, his
WIFE died in 1883, when the emperor mar
ried Onizero Taitou, who, as empress. 1t is
said, Is ambitious of rivaling the splendor