Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-10-31


crowned at Entollo on November of the same
year. Ras Mangascia, natural son Of Theodore,
made several attempts to regain power, but Meme
k defeated all efforts to overthrow him. He
conducted his government with hrmness and
sagacty and steadily consolidated his power
In the first year Of his reign he made treaty
with the Italians practically placing Abyssnia
under their protectorate, they their part agree
ing to lend him 100000 francs In consequence
OF disputes with the Italians and their encroach.
ment on his territory and also OF differences re-
lative to the Ucciali treaty Menelik raised
large army and inflicted a serious reverse on the
Italian advance guard at Umbalago in December.
1895. The Negus then made propositions of
peace, but they were unacceptable to the Italians
as they included demand for retirement and
also for modification OF the Ucciali treaty.
On February "a, 1895. the Abyssinians concen-
trated at Adowa and we're pursued there by the
Italian forces under General Baratleri The Itai-
ian troops advanced against the AbyssInians In
three columns, but the confguration OF the coun-
try permitted Menelik to concentrate his men In
an attack on the left column. and the other two
columns being prevented-partly by the confg.
uration of the ground and partly II is said by bad
dispositions consequent a want OF unanimity
amongst the generals-from arriving In time to
assist the Italians suffered an overwhelming de-
feat with loss of 1000 men killed and wounded
This caused the fall of Signor Crispis govern
ment, and General Wales sent with fun
power to treat, and an agreement fully recoRniz.
Menelik had three eoneubines, by whom ne had
one son. who died at the age OF thirteen and
two daughters. One of them, Zeodita fJudith1
married a Dijasmach who governor or the
Wonomigra Calais, and the other Schoagasch
married Ras Michael governor OF the woIIo Gala
country.
Menelik married in 1888 Taitou the present
empress. She was daughter Of Batul a former
Ras of Gondar, where the women are famous for
their white skins. She herself was great beau
ty and very fair. She first married Waldo Ga.
briel. one Of King Theodore's generals but he
was killed by Theodore shortly after their mar.
rlage. Soon after King Theodore,s death she
TOOK for her second husband Dedjaz Tekla Geor.
gis whom she divorced. She was then married
for the third time to the governor OF one OF the
provinces. who subsequently imprisoned BY
King John of Abyssinia. She then returned TO a
convent for a time but left there to marry the
Kaniazmach Likargacho Then MeneIk fell In
love with her. and in 1883 all obstacles having
been removed she made him her fifth husband
Queen Taitou has borne Menelik no children
She has the reputation of being woman OF
unusual strength of character and is said to have
had great influence with her husband She does
not, however. share his views with regard To the
announcement Of foreigners and foreign WAYS
but Is much more inclined TO discourage foreign
intercourse and foreign civilization and to keep
Abyssinia and its inhabitants to the customs and
cruder methods Of the old regime Aece-si,p
to report It was she who stifened he backbone
OF Meneik during the varying fortunes Of the
battle OF Adowa. and II was her advice "a. n
duced him TO hold on until The Ammunition OF the
Italian column was exhausted and % enabled
him 70 surround and dncfnate fhe force opposing
him. A clever retort is ascribed TO Queen Taitou
when foreign representative was lmpresslne
upon her the advantages Of foreign and more