The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-10-23

t1owned at Entollo on November of the same
year. Ras Mangascia a natural son OF Theodore,
made several attempts to regain power, but Meme
ik defeated all efforts to overthrow him. He
conducted his government with t1rmness and
sagacity and steadily consolidated his power.
In the first year of his reign he made a treaty
with the Italians, practically placing Abyssinia
under their protectorae, they on their part agree
ing to lend him 100000 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
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 a demand for retirement and
also for modification of the Ucciali treaty.
On February "a, 1896, the Abyssnans concen-
trated at Adowa and were pursued there by the
Italian forces under General Baratieri. The ltal-
ian troops advanced against the Abyssinians In
three columns, but the confguration 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 con1g-
uration of the ground and partly 1t is said by bad
dispositions consequent on want OF unanlmlty
amongst the generas-from arriving In time to
assist the Italians suffered overwhelming de-
feat with loss Of 1000 men killed and wounded.
This caused the fall of Sgnor Crtspis govern
ment, and General Wales was sent with full
power to treat, and an 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 (Judith)
married Djasmach who was governor Of the
Wonomigra Gaas, and the other, Schoagasch,
married Ras Michael governor of the Wollo Gala
country.
Menelik married in 1888 Taitou, 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 Of King Theodores generals, but he
! was killed by Theodore shortly after their mar
riage. Soon after King Theodore's death she
took for her second husband Dedjaz Teka Geor-
gis, whom she divorced. She 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 a
convent for time but left there to marry the
Kanjazmach Likargacho. Then Menelik fell in
love with her, and in 1883, all obstacles having
been removed, she made him her fifth husband.
Queen Taitou has borne Menelik no children
She has the reputation Of being 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 keer
Abyssinia and It's Inhabitants to the customs ant
cruder methods of the old regime. According
to report 1t was she who stiffened the backbone
Of MeneNk during the varying fortunes Of the
battle OF Adowa and 1t was her advice that in
duced E:m to hold until the ammunition of thu
italian column exhausted and so enable,
him to surround and decimate the force opposing
him. clever rctort q ascribed to Queen TaitoV
, when a foreign representative was impressin
upa. her the Advantages OF foreign and NOR