The Washington times., 1918-08-18

his capital from Adds Abeba, its ancient
site, to Harrar, in order that It might be
near the Mohammedan tribes who dwell
east of this province.
These steps outraged the Christian ele-
ments of Abyssinis beyond endurance
Ras Tafari, Governor Of the Province of
Harrar, whom German agents had plotted
to assassinate, placed himself at the head
of the opposition, which included the prin.
cipal Christian priests and native princes.
A large army was raised, and after fierce
fighting Lidj Yeassu fed into the territory
Of his father, Ras Mikail
During this struggle the youngest daugh-
ter Of Menelek, the Princess Zaoditu, had
remained true to the Christian religion, the
faith Of her fathers, and upon her the
hopes Of the Christians were centered.
She showed a spirit worthy Of the best
traditions of queenly rulers.
A great national gathering of Christians
called "maskaI'' was summoned to meet
at Adds Abeba. There, amid solemn cere-
mony, the supreme head Of the national
church, the Abuna Matheos, or Archbishop
Matthew, solemnly released every Abys-
sinian from his oath of allegiance, and de-
clared Lidj Yeassu deposed from the
throne for his religious apostasy.
The throne was then offered to the Prin-
cess Zaoditu, and she accepted it, and
promised to defend the Christian faith as
long as she lived. The Ras Tafari was
named as her successor in case she had
no children.
The deposed ruler had then taken refuge
in the territory OF his father, Ras Mikaii,
who raised an army and endeavored to re-
place him on the throne. The army was
assisted by German officers and munitions,
but in the wild mountainous land OF Abys-
sinia bravery and a knowledge of local
conditions proved more important than
military science. Ras Mikail was defeated
in a sanguinary battle, and both he and his
son taken prisoners.
The latest dispatches from Abyssinia re-
port that the Empress Zaoditu has been
crowned with Christian rites. The cere-
mOny, which was extremely elaborate and
picturesque, occurred at the Cathedral of
st. George in Adds Abeba. The Ministers
of the Entente Powers and the United
States represented their Governments.
The German Minister and the Turkish
Consul-General were not present. II is
conjectured that their participation in
plan to murder the new Empress and her
principal supporters, including the Arch
bishop, may have had something to do
with their absence.
After the ceremony the Empress left the
Cathedral, supported by the Regent Ras
Tafari and by Ras Kassa, a cousin of
Meneek. She then took her seat on
throne in the centre of a large platform
erected in the courtyard. The Diplomatic
Corps having passed before her. ceremon-
iously bowling, the Archbishop of Abyssinia
made a speech, in which he cieverly
showed that woman ruler was hopeful
sign for the country. He referred to the
Queen of Sheba, Queen Candace and other
illustrious women who had been famed in
Abyssinia in ancient times He reminded
the fierce natives that England had en-
joyed her greatest prosperity under the
rule of a woman, Queen Victoria, who
reigned for sixty years and was good
friend of Abyssinia. Altogether, he salts
fed his hearers that they were far better
off under a Christian Empress than under
a Mohammedan proEerman Emperor.
The new Empress possesses the grand
est collection of emeralds in the world,
although they are crudely cut. Her crown
Jewels of all kinds are very valuable, for
Copyright, 1918, by Star Company.