The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-10-24

on March L. 1889, ana was
crowned at Eutoo on November Of the same
year. Ras Mangascia, natural son OF Theodore
made several attempts to regain power, but Aene-
Xix defeated all efforts to overthrow hhn. He
conducted his government with firmness and
sagacity and steadily consolidated his power
In the first year of his reign he mad0 treaty
with the Italians. practically placing Abyssnia
under their protectorae. they on their part agree
ing to lend him 40000 600 francs In consequence
of disputes with the Italians and their encroach-
ment on his territory and also OF differences re-
atiye to the Uceiali treaty Menelik raised
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 10 the Italians
they included demand for retirement and
also for modification of the Uccali treaty
On February "a, 1896 the Abyssnans concen-
trated at Adowa and were pursued there by the
Italian forces under General Baratieri. The Ital-
ian troops advanced against the Abyssnans in
three columns but the confguration OF the ccun-
Try permitted Menelik to concentrate his men in
attack on the left column and the other two
columns being overwhelmingly by the conflg-
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 fan of Signor Crspi's govern.
ment snd General Wales was sent with full
power TO treat, and an agreement fully recognz-
Ing the Independence OF Abyssinia was signed
Meneiik had three concubnes by whom he had
one SON. who died at the age Of thirteen. and
TWO daughters. One OF Them Zeodita (Iudithf
married 4 Dijasmach who was governor Of the
Wonomgra Gallas, and the other schoagasch
married Ras Michael governor OF the Wolio Gala
country
MeneItk married in 1888 Taltou. the preseu,
empress She q daughter Of f}atul a former
Ras OF Gondar. where the women are famous for
their white skins She herself was a great beau
~ and very lair She FIRST married Waldo Ga.
hriel one OF King Theodores generals but he
was Killed By Theodore shortly after their mar.
riage Soon after King Theodoras death she
look for her second husband Dediaz Tekla Geor-
els, whom She divorced. She vas then married
!oF the third time to the governor of one of the
provinces. who was subsequently, imprisoned BIZ
h1ng John OF Abyssna She then returned 70 a
convent for time but left there to marry the
Nahlaamach i-ikargacho Then MenelIk fell IN
ioFe with her and in 1883 all obstacles having
been removed she made him her fifth husband
Queen Taitou has borne Menalik no children
sue mas 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
Nu' 10 uuch more inclined to discourage foreign
intercourse and foreign civilization and to keep
Anysslnia and its Inhabitants to the customs and
cruder methods Of the old regime According
10 report 1t was she who sthened the backbone
vi Mehelk during the varying fortunes Of the
oattle OF Adowa, ard 1t was her advice that in
auced him to hold on until the ammunition of the
itdiiah column was exhausted and so enabled
nm TO surround and decimate the force opposing
MN clever retort is ascrbed to Queen Taitou
"heh foreign representative was impressing
upon her the advantages of foreign and more