The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-10-24
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made satisfactory recovery In November,
1909, he had paralytic stroke which. depriving
him Of all speech and almost of motion, entirely
incapacitated him from all work. Since then
notably In 1910. he has on more than one coca.
sion been reported dead, and although these RI.
mors have been at once denied the fact remains
that for the last two three years he has been.
mere fgurehead, the government OF the couns
try having been carried out by q council OF min
listers under the presidency of Lii Yasu, the heir
apparent, and during this period 1t Is doubtful
whether he has been seen by any one but few
select court officials.
Lii Yasu, the heir-apparent, is the son Of Meme
Inks daughter. Schoagasch, and Ras Michael and
was born In 1897.
Yoyagers whose ways take them ''somewheres
east Of Suez' may know something OF Djibouti
but to the average person Djibouti Is practically
unknown Suffice it to say that, although sit
uated in the French Somaliland protectorats, 1t
Is practically the only port that serves the coun-
try Of Abyssinia s8
From Djbouti single track (metregauge)
railway runs to Dire-Dawa some 1876 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.
DireDawa has grown up around the railway
terminus, and as 1t Is some 5000 feet above the
sea level Is much cooler than Djibouti The place
10 not very large, but the wide streets and white
washed buildings give the place an air OF space
and cleanliness There Is a large Arab and
Soman settlement adjoining Here one comes
under Abyssinian offcaldom and ones baggage
has to pass the Abyssinian customs. usually not
q very trying ordeal.
At Dire-Dawa travellers to Ads Ababa have to
arrange their own caravans for the journey.
Both mules and camels are available, but usually
mules are taken. as 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
Dire-Dawa to the capitalize Cher-cher 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. as it is cooler. and one may purchase
fresh provisions milk. eggs. and sheep-from
the small Abyssinian villages that one passes
en- route. Cameis are 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 near the Hawash river. This
route passes through the fiat Danakil country
through great forests Of mimosa trees and occa.
sional open plains, where one meets from time
to time enormous herds of cattle and camels
guarded by ferce-looking Danakil shepherds
armed with spears and curved knives No pro-
visions can 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 scarce.
The third route. the Bilan. runs farther north
In the Danakn country. and though fiat 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 on the Journey. The path
is simply cut along the mountain side, and at
times one Is about six inches from drop Of 200
feet From Balchi the road is very uninterestine.
passing through long rolling plains Of cultivated
land. and about two days brings one in. sight of
the capital.
The view Of the city as one approaches is very
me- large circle Of hills surrounds 1t, and
on small elevation running out into the center
of the circle IL built the "guebi." or emperor's
palace. There are hardly any buildings OF impor-
lance and the guebi itself Is but q miscellaneous
collection Of semiEnrcpean and native BUILDINGS.