New-York tribune., 1910-03-31


DAYS Commercial interests here which
are in direct touch through their agencies
with Adds Abeba. have not received con-
frmatiou OF the report.
Menelek II. Emperor Of Abyssinis. sryI-
ing himself Lion Of Judah and King Of
Kings" displayed much Of the crafty Ori-
entail diplomacy which characterized Abdul
Hamid the deposed Sultan of Turkey. Like
the Turkish ruler. he cultivated the friend
ship Of the European powers and protect
ed himself cleverly by playing them of
against one another. Italy learned by Bit
ter experience the Abyssinian monarch $
craft and power when she attempted 10
establish a protectorats over that country
Meneiek was born in 1888. and is said TO
have beer the natural son OF the King OF
Choa and poor girl. He claimed descent
from Maqueda. Queen OF Sheba- and King
Solomon, and succeeded TO the throne OF
Abyssinia or the death OF King John.
with whom he had been constantly at war
In the first year of his reign he concluded
the treaty with King Humbe-t or Italy
which apparently placed Abyssinia under
the protectorate OF the Italian King In
return Italy was 10 lend Menelek $1,000. .0o0
This agreement. however. known as the
treaty OF Ucciai proved 70 be a most
wonderful document At first it's terms
seemed entirely satisfactory to both parties
FOR the simple reason that the crafty Meme
lex had managed 20 embody two versions
ir the text, the native text differing from
the Italian. Menelek profted by Il till the
Italians began 20 exercise their rights as
protectors OF Abyssinis. Then the Emperor
repudiated the treaty and began hostili-
ties He had taken advantage OF the de-
lay 20 reorganize his army and put il in
excellent fighting condition.
This was IN 1895. Two important en-
gagements were fought. resulting in the
defeat OF the Italians. The second was
the battle of Adowa. fought on February
%. 1886. in which the Italians lost in killed
and wounded more than seven thousand Of
ficers and men This reverse caused the
fall OF tho Crispi ministry and resulted
in the signing OF treaty by Italy recos-
rizing the absolute independence OF Abys-
sinia.
This victory over A European power
greatly Increased the prestige OF the
Negus. He was able TO conclude a com
merciaI treaty with France IN 1897 and one
with Great Britain in 1898. The latter
proved Of great Importance TO British in
terests IN the Soudan. as It includei the
settlement OF the British Som1L Protecto-
rate. the keeping open 20 British coulmercs
II the caravan route betw-sE zeiIa and
Harrar and the pre-entt41 OF tire transit
through Abyssinia Of arm and ammunition
20 the Mahdists. whom MeneleS declared TO
be enemies OF his country.
Abyssinia has since beer a bone Of con-
tentiOr among the pcUsrs- In 1906 there
81 oad 2 Trfr a-r Lurf
Britain. France and Italy. By vhica their
respective spheres OF infu nee were de-
fined and they vers pledgs. 70 maintain
the integrity Of Ethiopia intact MeneIek
himself never gave his approval to this
agreement
4 year ago Menelek's health failed. and
since that time there have been many rU-
mors Of MS death. Last January IL WIS
reported from an apparently official source
that he had died and that the Empress was
conducting the affairs OF the kingdom.
There was considerable discussion then over
MeneIsk's successor. as he had no child Of
his own. u was generally understood
however. that the throne would fall 10
Primes Iidi Jsassu. his thirteen-year-oId
grandson.
Menelek vas a homelY. black-skinned
poc6marked man. with shaggy beard and
restless eyes under threatening brows- He
had a straight nose and thick lips. showing
no trace OF tie Hebrew blood which he said
he possessed He had a kindly smile, and
despite his crsftiness. exercised Christian
gentIeuess toward his eneuies-
The Eup-->s Taitou- Mens,ek's wtrs - 4
remarkable woman and 10 her IL attributed
much OF her husbands crafty management
Like Nenelek. who was her cousin. she Is
descended in A direct lire from the Biblical
Queen % Sheba and Solomon. tbs wisest
King OF the Jews. In common with all the
princes and princesses OF Abyssinia's
ancient dynasty, sha vas eNil4d by En-
peror Theodoros in the early part Of tn.
eos. and took refuge with her parents at