Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-11-06

on March IL, 1889, ana was
crowned at Entollo November 3 of the same
year Ras Mangascia, natural son OF Ineooofe,
made several attempts to regain power, but Meme
Xix defeated all efforts to overthrow him. lie
conducted his government with trmness ana
sagacity and steadily consolidated his power
In the first year of his reign he made treaty
with the Italians, practically placing Abysslnla
under their protectorate they ON their part asTee
sng to lend him 4 000,0 900 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 Meneik raised
large army and inflicted serious reverse on the
Italian advance guard at Umbaago in December,
1895. The Negus then made propositions OF
peace but they were unacceptable to the Italians
as they included a 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 Baratiert The ital
fan troops advanced against the Abysslnlans In
three columns but the configuration 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 coEfg-
uration of the ground and partly it is said by bad
dispositions consequent on want OF unanlmlty
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 Crispis govern
ment, and General Wales was sent with fun
power to treat, and agreement fully recogniz'
ing the independence Of Abyssinia was signed.
Menelik had three concubines, by whom he had
one son. who died at the age of thirteen and
two daughters. One Of Them Zeodita (judth),
married Diiasmach who was governor of the
Wonomigra Calais and the other, Schoagasch,
married Ras Michael governor of the Wolo Gala
country.
Menelik marriea~in 1883 Taltou, the present
empress. She was daughter of Batul former
Ras of Gondar, where the women are famous for
their white skins. She herself great beau
ty and very fair She first married Waldo Ga
briel, one of King Theodores generals but he
was killed by Theodore shortly after their mar
rage Soon after King Theodore's death she
took for her second husband Dedjaz Tekla Geor
Ris whom she divorced. She was then married
for the third time to the governor OF one OF the
provinces who was subsequently imprisoned by
King John of Abyssinia She then returned to
convent for time but left there to marry the
Kanjazmach Likargacho. Then Menelik fell in
love with her. and in 1853, all obstacles having
been removed she made him her fifth husband,
Queen Taitou has borne Menelik children.
She has the reputation of being 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
sncoura cement of foreigners and foreign ways,
hut is much more inclined to discourage foreign
intercourse and foreign civilization and to keep
Abyssna and its inhabitants to the customs and
cruder methods of the old regime According
to report 1t was she who stifened the backbone
of Menelik during the varying fortunes of the
battle of Adowa, and it was her advice that IN
duced him to hold on until the ammunition of the
Italian column was exhausted and enabled
him to surround and decimate the force opposing
him clever retort Is ascribed to Queen Taitou
when a. foreign representative was impressins
upon her the advantages of foreign and more