The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-10-24

civilized countries. instancing telephones, rail-
ways, etc, and the various Injuries Of civilized
life. If" she said. things are so much better
and pleasanter over there. why do your people
come here?"
The defeat of the Italians greatly increased the
prestige of Menelik. He presented President
Carnot with the Order OF the Holy Ghost and
also sent him two tame lions. Afterwards he
renewed negotiations with France, which had
lapsed In 1891 He also sent mission to the
car, and in February, 1897 he concluded a COM
mercial treaty with the French. who In March
Of the same year dispatched an embassy under
M Lagarde to his court.
In 1898 British mission under Sir Rennell
Rodd was received by Menelik In great state,
10000 troops being present, and In spite Of the
efforts Of Colonel Leontieh at the head Of the
Russian mission and Prince Henri d'Orleans. who
were endeavoring to induce him to thwart Brit
ish efforts In SoNdan, treaty was concluded
between the British government and Menelik.
curious circumstance connected with the Brit
ish embassy was that the average height Of the
officials of the mission was over six feet, which
fact appears to have greatly impressed the Abyss
sinfans. The chief points of the treaty. which
was ratified by Queen Victoria in July were
settlement of the BrAtish Somali Protectorate
frontier, the keeping open Of the trade route
from Zeylah to Harrar, and the prevention OF
transit through Abyssinia OF arms for the Nah
dists. In letter to Queen Victoria Menelik said
"A treaty Of peace now exists between our gov
ernments, and we hope 1t will increase in hrm-
ness and last forever"
In April, $685. Lieutenant Harrington of the
Bombay staf corps-now Sir John Lane Har-
rington, X. G. M. G-who had been acting. as
British vice-consul on the Somali coast. was
sent as British agent to Meneliks court where
he remained up to 1909. His irmness and the
able management OF such questions as arose
from time to time between the British and Abyss
sinian governments gained him the confidence Of
Menelik and gave him considerable influence in
the country.
Z In October. 1898. Ras Mangascia, governor OF
Tigre. rebelled and large force was sent against
him. but eventually negotiations were opened up
and they settled matters amicaRly Since that
period Menelik continued consolidating his power
and his great force OF character made itself felt
to such an extent that peace has regned through
out all his dominions from one end Of the coun-
try to the other: the mandates Of Menelik have
been received with profound respect and implicit
~ obeyed. One nation after another has dis
patched representative to Abyssinia and Meme
Xix was until his recent fitness In touch with the
whole civilized world.
In November. 1909, Menelik was struck with
cerebral paralysis and was stated to be at the
point Of death. proclamation in his name was
read to the chiefs preaching peace and unity
ana onedience to the successor he had selected
LII Iasu Ras Tesamma was to continue to be
the guardian OF his heir. and his majesty called
down the curse OF the Almighty on anyone who
might attempt to oppose his successor After
this ne recovered his bodily health, but was too
feeble mentally to attend to his work He suf
fered another relapse In the summer OF 1909. but