The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-10-24

made satisfactory recovery. In November,
1909 he had paralytic stroke which, depriyins
him OF all speech and almost of motion. enurelS
incapacitated him from all work Since then.
notably in 1910 he has on more than one occa-
sion been reported dead, and although these ru-
mors have been at once denied the fact remains
that for the last two or three years he has been
mere fgurehead. the government of the coun-
try having been carried out by a council OF MIN
listers under the presidency of Lii Yasu, the heir
apparent and during this period it is doubtful
whether he has been seen by any one but few
select court officials.
Lii Yasu, the heirapparent, is the son of Meme
liks daughter. Schoagasch. and Ras Michael ana
born in 1897.
Voyagers whose ways take them "someWheres
east of Suez" may know something Of Djbouti
but to the average person Diibouti is practically
unknown Suffice it to say that, although sit
uated in the French Somaliland protectorate. 1t
is practically the only port that serves the coun
try of Abyssna.
From Djibouti a single track tmetregauge)
railway runs to Dire-Dawa, some 1856 miles IN
land The trains run twice week and the jour
ney frequently takes II hours to accomplish.
passing through some OF the most desolate desert
country imaginable
Dire Dawa has grown up around the railway
terminus and as 1t is some 5000 feet above the
sea level is much cooler than Diibouti. The place
washed buildings give the place an air Of space
and cleanliness There Is a large Arab and
Soma settlement adjoining Here one comes
under Abyssnan otficialdom and ones baggage
has to pass the Abyssinan customs, usually not
a very trying ordeal.
At Dire-Dawa travellers to Ads Ababa have to
arrange their own caravans for the journey.
Both mules and Camels available but usually
mules are taken. they cover the journey in
much quicker time than camels, which are usual
ly only employed for heavy baggage and mer
chandise. One has choice of three routes from
DireDawa TO the capitalize Chercher route
by which one travels along the Cher-cher noun
tain range through fine forest and amongst beau
tiful pine-topped hills. This route is rather long
er than the others. but is by far the most COM
Portable, 1t is cooler and one may purchase
fresh provslons-milk, Gags, and sheep-from
the small Abyssinian villages that one passes
en- route. Camss unable to take this track
owing to the many steep ascents and descents
which can only be managed by mule or donkey
The second trail is via the Asabot passing
along the foot OF the Cher-cher range and joining
the former route the Nawash river. This
route passes through the fiat Danak country
through great forests OF mirlosa trees and occa
sonai open plains, where meets from time
to time enormous herds of cattle and camels
guarded by ferce-iooking DaDakil shepherds
armed with spears and curved knives. No pro-
visions be purchased on this route but 1t
is fairly good going except during the very dry
season before the rains begin, when water Is
apt to be
The third route. the Bilan. runs farther north
in the Danakil country and though flat is very
trying on account Of the great heat and long
marches that have to be made from watering
place to watering place.
From Tchoba it is two days Journey to Con
dabourka at the foot of the Balchi pass Here
the track rises nearly 900 feet, sheer ascent
and the steepest climb the journey The path
is simply cut along the mountain side and at
times one is about six inches from a drop of 200
feet From Balch the road Is very undressing
passing through long rolling plains of cultivated
land and about two days brings one in sight OF
the capital
The view Of the city approaches is very
fine large circle of hills surrounds It, and
on small elevation running out into the center
of the circle is built the "gueb" or emperor's
palace There are hardly any buildings of impor
lance, and the guebi itself is but a miscellaneous
collection of semi-European and native buildings