ABYSSINIA.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13097, 23 April 1908, Page 7

ABYSSINIA.

GERMAN

RniUd Press Association—By EJeotrio Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, April 21

The "Standard's" Berlin oorrespondenib reports that Horr Holtz, a representative , of a luimbor of German banks and 'businese houses, am.rjoiuioce that he has received from the Emperor tihe sole right to run motor-cars throughout Abyssinia, the rigjht to establish trading stations on t'lie tracks, and the right to establish, on ©thtorsra.ph plant.

The Berlin correspondent of the "Standard" sent a long account in January of Herr HJcdtzre mission. Herr Holtz is the pioneer of German enterprise in Abyssinia. Extraordinary precautions' ivero taken to keep the destination and character of the mission a profound secret, and it is stated that the German Press knew nothing about the mission until the' "Standard published its correspondent's message. The party travelled under the guise of hunters, but Herr Holtz's real object was to carry out schemes which ■would giro Germany the same prtv dominant influence in Abyssinia which she has contrived to obtain in the Ottoman, Empire to the detriment of her competitors in the world's markets. Tho KorisOT, tihj© OhanoolloT, several leading bariks, and a number l of business firms, took an interest in tho expedition. "The Gorman, mission has gone 'to Abyssinia, with a most ambitious programme of aims and objects. t Herr Holtz proposes to obtain from ' the Negus, with whom he has long been on very friendly terms, a number of concessions of various kinds. First, he will ask for permission to establish a service of motor cars between Addis Abeba, and Dire-Dawa, the present terminus of the railway from "'Jibuti!. The distance from Dire-Dawa to Addas Abdba is approximately 300 males, and a new road -would have to be conetructed for (the greater part of the way. The (idea of tho promoters of this scheme is that the road can be constnicted long before the railway is extended to the capital, and that a regular motor car service for. passengers and freight could produce substantial profits. In the second place, Herr Holtz proposes to ask for a concession granting a monopoly in spirits. Ten per cent, of the annual profits are to be offered to the Emperor MemeHk as an inducement to him to grant this concession Thirdly, Herr Holte intends to apply for a concession to establish a German bank at Addie Abeba, which could become the nucleus for "German commercial enterprises of all kinds in aL parts of Abyssinia. Fourthly, orders tor arms and ammunition for Messrs Iv- " 81lt fi M S ? groat Wrtunitiee