Menelek’s nephew, as his plenipotentiary in Italy. Thus ous missions, two Russian, three French, and one British
it seemed as though hostilities between the two countries were despatched to the country and hospitably received
had come to a definite end, and that peace was assured by Menelek. The British one, under Mr (now Sir)
in the land. For. the next three years the land was
fairly quiet, the chief political events being the conven- Secn?elMa
LRodd
’ c°ncluded a friendly treaty with Abyssinia
1897
f
)> but did not, except in the direction
tion (6th February 1891) between Italy and Abyssinia, ol Somaliland, touch
on frontier questions, which still
protocols between Italy and Great Britain (24th March and
rn a su ect
- ° ?. French
bJ of discussion. same year 15th April 1891), and a proclamation by Menelek (10th small expedition underDuring MessrstheClochette anda April 1891), all on the subject of boundaries. As, however, De Bonchamps endeavoured to reach the Nile, but, the Italians became more and more friendly with Mangasha after surmounting many difficulties, stuck in the marshes and Tigre the apprehensions of Menelek increased, till at ol the Upper Sobat and was obliged to return. Another last, in February 189.3, he wrote denouncing the Uccialli expedition of Abyssinians, under Dejaj Tasamma, and treaty, which differed in the Italian and Amharic versions. accompanied, by three Europeans—a Frenchman, a Swiss, According to the former, the Negfis was bound to make and a Russian—started early in 1898, and reached the use of Italy as a channel for communicating with other A lie at the Sobat mouth in June, a few days only before Powers, whereas the Amharic version left°it optional. Major Marchand and his gallant companions arrived on Meanwhile the Dervishes were threatening Eritrea. A the scene. But no contact was made, and the expedition fine action by Colonel Arimondi gained Agordat for Italy returned to Abyssinia. In the same year (1898) Menelek (21st . December 1.893), and a brilliant march by Colonel proceeded, northwards with a large army, for the purpose Baratieri resulted in the acquisition of Kassala (17th July o chastising Mangasha, who was again rebelling against 1894). But on his return Baratieri found that Mangasha his authority After some trifling fighting Mangasha subwas intriguing with the Dervishes, and had actually mitted, and Ras Makunnen despatched a force to subdue crossed the frontier with a large- army. At Koatit and Shangul, the chief of which gold country, Wad Tur Senafe (13th to 15th January 1895) Mangasha was met el Gun was showing signs of disaffection. This effected and heavily defeated by Baratieri, who occupied Adigrat in the A.byssinians almost came into contact with the March. But as the year wore on the Italian commander Egyptian troops sent up the Blue Nile (after the occupapushed his forces unsupported too far to the south. Menelek tion ot Khartum) to Famaka and towards Gallabat. But was advancing with a large army in national support of as both sides were anxious to avoid a collision, no hostile Mangasha, and the subsequent reverses at Amba Alagi (7th results ensued, and matters remain on a friendly footing December 1895) and Makalle (23rd January 1896)&forced between the nations. Negotiations and surveys on the 7 the Italians to fall back. subject of frontiers were in progress, and were likely to be Reinforcements of many thousands were meanwhile brought to a successful conclusion, in 1901. arriving at Massawa, and in February Baratieri took the Since 1897 British influence in Abyssinia, owing field at the head of over 13,000 men. Menelek’s army largely, no doubt, to the conquest of the Sudan, the deamounting to about 90,000, had during this time advanced* of the Dervish power, and the result of the and was occupying a strong position at Abba Garima, near straction. . 4 ashoda incident, has been sensibly on the increase. But it Adua. Here Baratieri attacked him on the 1st March, remains to be. seen whether any European influence will but the difficulties of the country were great, and one of be oi much avail after the demise of the present enlightened the four Italian brigades had pushed too far forward. emperor, or whether Abyssinia will relapse into the state This biigade. was attacked by overwhelming numbers, and or anarchy and desolation which has characterized so much on the remaining brigades advancing in support, they were of her history. successively cut to pieces by the encircling masses of the
Authorities. —Bent, Theodore. The Sacred City of the Ethienemy. The Italians lost nearly 4000 killed and wounded opians. London, 1893.—Blandford, W. T. The Geology and and 2000 prisoners, whilst the Abyssinians owned to a loss Zoology of Abyssinia. London, 1870.—Blundell H W “A of over 3000. General Baldissera advanced with a large Journey through Abyssinia,” Geograph. Jour, vol.’ xv. 1900.— body of reinforcements to avenge this defeat, but the uorelli, Jules. Ethiopie Meridionale. Paris, 1900.—FuaiaG. Bibliografia Etiopica. Milan, 1893.—Gleichen Abyssinians, desperately short of supplies, had already galli oantt]ie Mission to Menelik. London, 1898.—Keltie’ /l retired, and beyond the peaceful relief of Adigrat no f 7/ f iaCition of Africa. London, 1895.—Keane A H further operations took place. It may here be remarked Man : Past and Present, 2nd ed. Cambridge, 1901.—Lauribar p‘ that the white prisoners taken by Menelek were exceedingly de. Douze Ans en Abyssinie. Paris, 1898.—Portal G H ’mv to Abyssinia London, 1892.-Reclus, E. 'universal well treated by him,, and that he behaved throughout, as Mission
Geography vol. x —Yanderheym, J. G. Une Expedition avec le he has ever since, with the greatest humanity and dignity Negous Menehk. Pans, 1896.-Vign£ras, S. Une Mission FranA peace was signed at Addis Abbaba in the following ynse en Abyssinie. Paris, 1897.—Wellby, Capt. M. S. “KinoOctober, and negotiations on the question of frontiers were Menelek sDomimons,’ &c., Geograph. Jour. September 1900.commenced, vhich were only brought to a conclusion in Massaja, Cardinal / miei 35 anni di MissionenelV alta Etiopia a ECCHI- Da Zeila alle the autumn of 1900. R Ml i1887 ««7l886 13L7Til Frontiers ^apa, Rome,
- and
Abissmia Settentrionale, Milan, 1888 del — T 11S var 80 briLLMANN. Abessinien und seine Bedeutung fur unsere Zeit , ! ' > disastrous to Italy, attracted the attention J. of all Europe to Abyssinia and its monarch, and numer- &c. Freiburg in Breisgau, 1892.—Sapeto. Etiopia. Rome, 1890.’ (G.*)
Abyssinian Church—As the chronicle Axum relates, Christianity was adopted in Abyssin m the 4th century. About 330 a.d. Frumentius w; made first Bishop of Ethiopia by Athanasius, patrian of Alexandria. Cedrenus and Nicephorus err in datir Abyssinian Christianity from Justinian c. 542. Fro: Frumentius to the present day, with one break, the Metr poll tan has always been appointed from Egypt, and odd] enough, he is always a foreigner. Little is kno’wn <
church history down to the period of Jesuit rule, which broke the connexion with Egypt from about 1500 to 1633 But the Abyssinians rejected the Council of Chalcedor,' and still remain monophysites. Union with the Coptic Church ifi-v.') continued after the Arab conquest in Egypt Aid Salih records (12th century) that the patriarch used always to send letters twice a-year to the kings of Abyssinia and Nubia, till A1 Hakim stopped the practice. Cyril, 67th patriarch, sent Severus as bishop, with orders to put ’down
