Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-08

Slnidn throne ever since. f1bN ildCit
truth there is in this story it is hard
to say But it is faithfully believed
by the Ahyssinians. and in 1891, when
Nenelik served all the powers of
Europe with notice to keep their
hands Oft his territory, he signed him
self Lion conqueror Of the tribe of
Judah, Menelik, chosen by God. King
Of the kings of Ethiopia"
The tradition has much in its favor.
The Abyssinians are certainly unlike
any other nation of blacks in Africa.
They claim that the Queen of Sheba-
or Shea, as the land is now called
brought back in her train the flower
of the tribe of Judah, and that its
blood was incorporated into the blood
of the nation, making the nation not
only superior To ali its neighbors in
physique, brains, and prowess, but
the chosen Of God" as we'll
Menelik, the tradition OF the country
has it, vas also the name of the son
that the queen of Sheba bore to King
Solomon, and the story goes that
when % years old this first Menelik
went to Jerusalem and was crowned
King of Ethiopia in Solomon's temple
Christianity was first impaired to
Abyssinlans by the APOSTLE Philip
through The eunuch who was trcasur-
en- to Candace, Queen of Ethiopia
Menelik was born Prince Menelik
the son of King Haelou of Shoa, and
the nephew of his predecessor. the
famous King John Of Abyssinia. About
70 years ago King Haelou heard that
woman Of striking beauty was beg
ging at the royal door He sent for
| her for he had an eye for pretty wo-
! men. He Was entranced by her
beauty. and at once placed her among
the women of his harem. A boy was
born TO her but Haelou said he would
not recognize him as his son unless.
when he grew up, he proved his par
entage by his resemblance He grew
up the living image of Haelou. and his
father named him Menelik and the
heir to the throne. There were other
sons. but Haelou found him the
worthiest.
Young Menelik had a checkered ca
| reer. for Abyssinian politics was al
ways exciting. While in exile as a
young man he met his cousin, the
Princess Taoti, at Gondar. She was
also an exile, and was destined to play
an important part in his history.
They fell in love with each other. but
just before they married both were
recalled from exile by the Emperor
Theodoros of Abyssinia, who, i'm
| mediately after seeing Taoti, fell in
| love with her himself, and married her
forthwith, throwing a sop to Menelik
| IN the shape of one of his daughters.
| the Princess Tofana.
! Meantime Prince Menelik of Shoa
had become King Menelik of Shea.
ana mad WaXed great. popular and
powerful. He met in 1882 Taoti
again, for the first time since their
youthful engagement had been so
rudely broken, and found himself tust
as much in love with her as ever. So
| he put her in his household. and when
his wife, Queen Tofana, made objec-
tons, he promptly divorced her. and
the wretched queen died with sus-
picious suddenness soon after. All
tina tremained now was to get a d.
Vorce for Taoi from the husband she
had deserted, and when this was ac-
complished, he made her Queen of
Shoa. 1t was Taotrs second royal
marriage. and Menelik was her sixth
husband.
Physically. Menelik was hardly an
impressive parsonage to European.
Nevertheless he was of large stature
and great strength, and his face had
more character than is usually seen in
pure African physiognomies. He wore
a mustache and beard, and had a ma
Jestlc presence. He always wore
a broad-brimmed felt hat and q white
mantle, white being the royal color.
A black leopard skin and the skin of
black-maned lion played important
parts in the costume of state.
Menelik showed his craft in politics
by securing the succession from
King John. The Italians were already
strong in the land For years they
had been carrying on desultory wars
and their power was real. They al
ready claimed a protectorate, and It
was actual, though as yet unae-
knowledged. Menelik took advantagn
of this. and agreed to acknowledge
The protectorate if Italy would use her
influence to secure him the success
sion. 1t was done, and in 1889, upon
johns death, Menelik confirmed the
treaty of Uecilli acknowledging the
Italian protecorate in Abyssnia. He
then became the virtual negus, or
KING the supreme ruler of the united
country. His greatness begins there
Wlth.-Springfied Republican.