The Washington herald., 1909-11-07

tained by founding a colony at Masso-
wah. The Abyssinans were then busy
lighting the Egyptians. but as soon as
that war was over they turned their at
tention 10 the Italians. Menelik repudl-
ated a treaty that had been made IN 1850
and read differently IN the Italian and
Amharic versions. by virtue Of which
Italy claimed a protectOrate over Abys-
slnia. The war that followed resulted IN
the crushing defeat OF the Italians al
Adowa, March !. 1896. and IN the follow
ing October treaty was signed by which
Italy recognized fully the independence OF
Abyssinia.
The victory OF Menelik over the Italians
was due largely 70 his wisdom in obtain
Ing modern firearms for great part Of
his army. In the war with Great Britain.
IN 1858. the AbysslnIan troops were armed
with ancient flnt-look muskets and with
swords and lances. The defeat OF the
natives by the British troops was accom-
plished easily and doubtless inspired the
Italians with the hope OF similar victory.
But conditions had changed IN the second
war.
Although the great powers agreed 10
forbiG the importation OF firearms into
Middle Africa, Menelik obtained his mod
ern equipment Tor HIS army chiefly Il IS
said, through Russian sources. and over
came the great difficulty OF obtaining am
munition by establishing his own powder
factory and loading his own cartridges
In the arts OF peace as well as OF war
he set about educating his people and en-
Couraging trade with foreign countries
His ambition resembles that Of progress
sive japanese statesmen, and ne, indeed
has studied with much care the remark
able progress OF Japan in recent years
with the hope OF modelling his own coun-
try on the Oriental plan. Travellers have
described Menelik as almost coal black,
short and stout, and not impressive
physically. He never learned TO speak
any other language than Amharic and
perhaps one or two dialects, and conducts
intercourse with foreigners through his
secretary. en- accomplished Greek. speak
ing huently French. Italian. Spanish.
German, and English.
OF his mission 10 make a treaty with
Menelik. Robert p. Skinner, United States
consul general at Marseilles, head Of the
expedition which visited the Abyssinian
Emperor a few years ago. said in part.
AT the farther end sat the Emperor
L
upon platform extending entirely across
the hall and under a canopy supported
by four gilded columns. the gift OF the
French republic. on each side OF the
/ throne stood two young princes holding
guns, and back OF II. and extending on
| both sides until they merged into the
| crowds waiting In the aisles, stood the
! ministers, judges, and officers OF the
court. A subdued light softened the col
ors and blended them tremendously.
Our small column. both officers and
men. advanced halfway across the wide
and empty space. where the officers
| bowed low. In complete silence the pro-
| ceSsion continued on 10 the elevation on
which the throne stood. Here the rest OF
| the party halted as I stepped forward to
| shake hands IN the most friendly and in
/ formal manner with the Emperor, who
! held out his own hand and smiled cor
! daily. He sat in Oriental fashion. his
| legs crossed and his arms supported on
| two cushions He wore a red velvet
| mantle. barely disclosing the snowy white
! undergarments. Around his head a white
| handkerchief was closely bound. He also
wore diamond eardrops and several rings
! upon both hands. His face was full OF
! intelligence and his manners those Of a
! gentleman as well as Of a king. Distinct
! ~. the first impression was agreeable.
| After a short formal address, ] pre-
! sented my commission from the Presi-
] dent. This the Emperor scrutinized with
polite indifference. laying 1t aside at once,
and replying in a few words. He spoke
in the Amharic language. All the other
! conversation and translations were in
/ French. The officers Of the mission were
! then presented and were 10 "a lre
chairs. The Emperor told us OF the ar
engagements made for our comfort, and
we separated with his promise to fix In
writing an hour for q first private audi
ence on the next day. As we left the
! 'Aderach,' the captured cannon (from the
Italians). roared out twenty-one guns
and the band OF native musicians played
| Hail Columbia
THE same immense escort which had
led US into the city, headed by the shawn
players, now augmented by the artillery
men and the Emperor's band, led us
down the mountaInside to our temporary
/ home. The generals, judges, and colonies
| entered with the officers, and together we
inspected the quarters of the Ras Oualdc
Georgis.
THE Ras Oualdo Georgis. nephew OF
I Menelik and ruler Of a province, had
erected this palace for his own comfort
on his visits to the capital II stood IN 4
large park which was subdivided into
compounds. II was oval, probable 1Ot
! feet long by so wide. one story high, and
! divided into two rooms. There were sew
eral large doors and two windows in each
room: the latter had solid wooden shut
J tiers. but no glass. Upon the floor were