The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-10-31
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made a satisfactory recovery. In November,
1909 he had a paralytic stroke which, depriving
him of all speech and almost of motion, entirely
incapacitated him from all work Since then,
notably in 1870 he has 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 three years he has been
a 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 heir-apparent, is the son of Meme
lik's daughter, Schoagasch, and Ras Michael, and
was born in 1897.
Voyagers whose ways take them "somewheres
east of Suez" may know something OF D1ibout-
but to the average person Djbouti is practically
unknown. Suffice it to say that, although sit
uated in the French Somalfland protectorate. 1t
is practically the only port that serves the coun-
try of Abyssinia.
From Djbouti a 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.
Dire-Dawa has grown up around the railway
terminus and as it is some 5000 feet above the
level Is much cooler than Diibouti The place
is not very large, but the wide streets and white
washed buildings give the place air of space
and cleanliness. There is a large Arab and
Somali settlement adjoining Here comes
under Abyssinian oticiadom and ones baggage
has to pass the Abyssinian customs usually not
very trying ordeal
At Dire-Dawa travellers to Ads Ababa have to
arrange their caravans for the journey.
Both mules and camels are 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
Dire-Dawa to the capitalize Chercher route,
by which one travels along the Chercher, noun
tain range through fine forest and amongst beau
tifu pine-topped hills. This route is rather long
er than the others, but is by far the most COM
Portable, as 1t is cooler, and may purchase
fresh provis1ons-milk, eggs, and sheep-from
the small Abyssinian villages that one passes
en- route. Camels 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 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 Danakl Shepherds
armed with spears and curved knives. No pro-
visions can be purchased on this route but it
is fairly good going except during the very dry
season before the rains begin, when water IL
apt to be scarce
The third route, the Bilan runs farther north
In the Danakn country, and though fat 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 1t is two days journey to Con
dabourka at the foot of the Balchi pass Here
the track rises nearly 900 feet a 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 uninterestfng
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
nHe. large circle of hills surrounds it, and
on small elevation running out into the center
OF the circle is built the "guebi,' or emperors
palace. There are hardly any buildings of impor-
lance and the guebi itself Is but miscellaneous
collection of ami-Enranaan and native buildings