Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-10-24

crowned at Entollo on November of the same
year Ras Mangascia, natural son OF Theodore.
made several attempts to regain power, but Meme
lik defeated all efforts to overthrow him. He
conducted his government with frmness and
sagacity and steadily consolidated his power.
In the first year of his reign he made treaty
with the Italians, practically placing Abyssinia
under their protectorate. they their part agree
ing to lend him 1000 900 francs. In consequence
of disputes with the Italians and their encroach-
ment his territory and also OF differences re-
lative to the Uccali treaty Menelik raised a
large army and inflicted 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
they included demand for retirement and
also for a modification OF the Ucciali treaty.
On February a. 1896 the Abyssinians concen-
trated at Adowa and were pursued there by the
Italian forces under General Baratier The Ital-
ian troops advanced against the Abyssinians in
three columns but the configuration of the
try permitted Menelik to concentrate his in
attack the left column. and the other two
columns being prevepted-partly by the config-
uration of the ground snd partly il Is said by bad
dispositions consequent want of unanimity
amongst the generals-from arriving In time to
assist the Italians suffered overwhelming de-
feat with a loss of 1000 men killed and wounded.
This caused the fall OF Signor Crispis govern
ment, and General Valles sent with full
power TO treat, and agreement fully recognz-
ing the Independence of Abyssinia signed.
Menelik had three concubines, by whom he had
son. who died at the age of thirteen, and
two daughters. One of them, Zeodta (Judith),
married Dijasmach who governor of the
Wonomigra Galas. and the other. Schoagasch,
parried Ras Michael governor of the Wollo Gala
country.
Menellk married in 1888 Taitou the present
empress. She daughter of Batul. former
Ras of Gondar, where the are famous for
their white skins. She herself great beau
ty and very fair. She first married Waldo Ga
brie one of King Theodore's generals. but he
was killed by Theodore shortly after their mar
riage. Soon after King Theodores death she
took for her second husband Dedjaz Tekla Geor-
gis. whom she divorced. She was then married
for the third time to the governor of one of the
provinces. who subsequently imprisoned by
King John OF Abyssinia. She then returned to a
convent for time but left there to marry the
Kanjazmach Likargacho Then Menelik fell in
love with her, and in 1888 all obstacles having
been removed. she made him her fifth husband
Queen Taitou has borne Menelik no children.
She has the reputation of being a woman of
unusual strength of character and is said to have
had great influence with her husband. She does
not however, share his views with regard to the
encouragement OF foreigners and foreign ways
but is much more inclined to discourage foreign
intercourse and foreign civilization and to keep
Abyssinia and It's inhabitants to the customs and
cruder methods of the old regime. According
to report 1t was she who stiffened the backbone
OF Menehk during the varying fortunes of the
battle of Adowa, and It her advice that in.
duced him to hold on until the ammunition Of the
Italian column was exhausted and so enabled
him TO surround and decimate the force opposing
him. clever retort is ascribed TO Queen Taitou
when foreign representative was impressinK
upon her the advantages Of foreign and more