THE ENTRANCES TO ABTSSINIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2208, 18 January 1868, Page 3

THE ENTRANCES TO ABTSSINIA.

(Daily News)

The following communication, dated Aug. 11,1867, has been addressed to Colonel Merewether, by Mr W. Munzinger, the Trench vice-Consul at Massowah, and is the result of a journey from Ainphilla to the Abyssinian plateau, undertaken by Mr Munzinger in June of the present year, at the express invitation of Colonel Merewether :

Abyssinia has many easy entrances. Th«re are oblique plains and successive terraces bringing up to the high table land—through the Afar country to Adsdi; from Tudjurra to Hayk; from Massowah to Kajahkor; from Bogos to Hamaseu, from the Baika to Adjabo, &c. The difficulty begins on the tableland, it being divided and cut in pieces by a great quantity of very deep ravines with water streams, so that tbere is great difficulty in communication from one portion of the tableland to the other. The King's camp being at Debra Tabor, and the prisoners at Magdala, action will evidently be directed towards the south; but I cannot but suppose that at the end of the rainy season, on the news of an army having invaded the. country, the King will change his" residence. Most probably he will block himself up at Magdala with his prisoners; less probable is it that he will stay at his present residence bo as to induce the enemy to approach Magdala, and then make a retreat to Kuara, taking .his prisoners with him. Eor him it would be very, easy work; not so for an army, the road from Magdala to Debra Tabor being intersected by many deep and steep ravines. I repeat, that it is the less probable supposition, because the King is at present not beloved enough to expect from soldiers the devotedness the fatigues of such a retreat would require. But, nevertheless, it may not be wholly useless to calculate on its possibility. The principal direction being < so fixed towards Magdala, there is an option between the two roads. The first is that which would bring an army as quickly as possible to the high tableland, the edge of which should be pursued until the latitude of Magdala is reached; the second, along the great line of the mountains, profiting by the terraces which accompany steadily the highlands.

" I will begin by examining the first road. The shortest line from the sea to the highland is that from Zula, or from Massowah, to Tokunea. As for the starting points, there is no great difference between the Zula and Massowah, the former is shorter by a few miles, and has more water, but has no good landing-place. Both roads join at the river Hadass, which offers a very easy road till the ascents of Tokunda. From Tokunda till Lake Hayk the road follows the edge of the table land, 6000 to 7000 feet high, with very little irregularities, and no deep valley to cross; touching Senafey, Addigrat, Tshelikut, "Wodjerat, and Hayk, which is only three journeys distant from Magdala. It is useless to quote here some itineraries I have collected about this road, because the true distance could not be ascertained, and happily they will not be needed, because this track has plenty of water and vegetation, and no difficult, narrow, or steep passages. It is well cultivated, well peopled, and has a cold, healthy climate.

" The second road starts from Hanfila point. I have already described the first part of it, but I permit myself to make here some observations about its practicability. During summer it would certainly be a dangerous undertaking to bring a body of soldiers across the Salt Plain; the line from Boka coast to Koguely would then be preferable, but from December there would be no great difficulty. From Hanfila till Didik there is water and wood. The narrow passage of Didik would easily be mended in a few hours. The_ great difficulty would be the section of the road from Didik to the edge of the Salt Plain, excepting heavy rains had fallen. The water on both sides of the Salt Plain is drinkable. The road is, as I have described, very rough, but the stones can easily be thrown aside. From Magdala upwards the roads leave nothing to be desired. From Ayla to the first villages of Azebo (Bedda) is four to five days' march. _ The first half of the road is made difficult by three ascents, after which the plains of the Doda are reached, eitending to the frontier of the Azebo. The Azebo country extends to near Hayk, the road pursuing an immense plain, full of villages, and rich in water and vegetation, Ashangi, which lies 2,000 feet higher, would be left to the right, The Azebo country appears 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea. To reach Hayk there is a very high ascent, and then the road joins that of the highland, "If the two roads are compared, it will be seen'that each has its peculiar advantage. The higher road brings an army at once, without any fatigue from sun or climate, to a green and cold highland—an immense advantage for European soldiers. It goes through a well-peopled and well-cultivated country, where, the first antipathy being overcome, most victuals might easily be procured ; it goes throngh Abyssinia proper. It has, however, the great disadvantage that it is not fit for a prolonged camel transport—not from the difficulties of the terraces, but from its climate, which is cold and dewy, while the country is poor in thorn trees fit to feed cattle upon. It would be an excellent road for mules, bullocks, &c. , "As to the lower road, it has many disadvantages. Most of it goes through a very thinly-peopled, hot, barren country, where nothing is to be got

excepting meat; it requires several forced marches. The tribes of the country live without government; laws, or religion. But its great advantage is that cumelß laden at Hanfila will reach Hayk, and even Santa, without difficulty, and will support themselves through the whole country. Besides that advantage, a part of the road being Egyptian, and the rest belonging to a great number of small chiefs, it would be easy to keep communications open without military occupation. The Egyptian Government would protect its portion until the Salt Plain was reached, and the chiefs on the other side would be easily won by small presents. I am persuaded that the occupation of the salt market—a natural consequence of the road lying close by—would make a great impression on the Abyssinian people, who would feel that an important part of their very life had fallen into the hands of the invaders..

" In conclusion, I cannot but prefer the route by Hanfila in the winter time. A very small division of the army would suffice to go to Magdala; the rest, would, I might suggest, be better encamped at Howsen or near Adowa, preparing mules, &c, in case Magdala should be found deserted, and a second operation thereby become necessary on the other side ofTakasey."