The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-10-25

crowned at Entollo on November of the same
year. Ras Mangascia, natural son of Theodore,
made several attempts to regain power but Meme
Xix defeated all efforts to overthrow him. He
conducted his government with firmness and
sagacity and steadily consolidated his power.
In the first year of his reign he made a treaty
with the Italians practically placing Abyssna
under their protectorate, they their part agree
ing to lend him 900 900 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 a
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 a modification of the Uccia treaty
On February "a 1896 the Abyssinians concen-
trated at Adowa and were pursued there by the
Italian forces under General Baratieri. The Ital-
ian troops advanced against the Abyssinians In
three columns. but the CONFORMATION 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 corfig-
uration of the ground and partly it is said by bad
dispositions consequent 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 Crispi's govern.
ment, and General Wales sent with full
power TO treat, and an agreement fully recogniz-
Ing the independence of Abyssinia was signed
Menelik had three concubnes by whom he had
one son. who died at the age of thirteen and
two daughters One of them, Zeodita Dudith),
married a DiJasmach who governor of the
Wonomigra Calais and the other Schoagascb
married Ras Michael governor Of the Wollo Gala
country
Menelik married in 1883 Taitou. the present
empress. She was daughter of Batul 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.
oriel, one of King Theodore's generals but he
was killed by Theodore shortly after their mar
riage Soon after King Theodore's death she
TOOK Tor her second husband Dedjaz Tekla Geor
g1o, WHOM she divorced. She was then married
Tor the third time to the governor of one OF the
provinces, who was subsequently imprisoned by
King John of Abyssinia She then returned IN a
convent for time but left there to marry the
kan1azmach Likargacho Then MeneIik fell IN
love with her, and in 1888 all obstacles having
oeen removed she made him her fifth husband
queen Taitou has borne Menelik no children
one mas the reputation Of being woman of
unusual strength of character and is said to have
hdo great influence with her husband She does
not, however, share his views with regard Tn tho
encouragement of foreigners and foreign WAYS
out Is much more inclined to discourage foreipn
intercourse and foreign civilization and to keen
Aoyssinla and Its inhabitants to the customs and
cruder methods OF the old regime According
10 report 1t was she who stiffened the backbone
Vi mehehk during the varying fortunes OF the
"e vi AuoWa, and it was her advice that in.
auced MIN to hold on until the ammunition O, the
ah coiumn was exhausted and so enabled
MIN to surround and decimate the force onnos,na
nih clever retort is ascrbed to Queen Tai,ou
"hen foreign representative was impressjng
upon ner the advantages OF foreign and more