AN ABYSSINIAN STORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 6

AN ABYSSINIAN STORM

GERMAN INTRIGUE UPSET.

(Fp.om Que Own Coreespondent.j , LONDON, January 30. Iho long, silent hand of the German official intriguer, which has made itself felt wnerever any Government lias attempted to maintain the semblance of neutrality, was discovered in Abyssinia somo time ago by the representatives of the Entente Powers. When the Emperor Menelik finally died after so many false alarms, lie was succeeded by a sprightly youth named Lidj Jeassu, son of Menclk's daughter. Now- Abyssinia is a Christian country of Jong traditions, and it offended the people when their new Emperor was manifestly nobbled by the Turks. Turkey being the enemy of the Entente) the Ministers at Adis Abeba in September entered a formal protest against the waythings were going, and at the feast of Mascel (the Cross), on the 27th inst. they formally declared Lidj Jeassu deposed in favour of his aunt and her son Ras 'lafiari. The youhg Emperor at the time was absent in Harrar, but when he came back trouble began to brew. His father, Ras M.kael, ruler of the province of Wollo, raised an army and marched against Adis Abeba, and at Ankober he infl.cted a serious defeat on the army of the new Government, numabout 5000 men. The commander was killed and the Government force practically annihilated ; . and things looked so dismal that the Ministers of the Entente made all ■ preparations for giving reluge to their nationals, who were largely Hindu merchants. But the Government showed commendable promptitude in repairing its fortunes.

Now forces were mobilised under Ras Tafiari and the War Minister, and on October 27 they came in touch with the pretender's army. In a battlo lasting all day the Government lost 10,000 killed out of 60,000 men, but at length a flank attack gave victory to the new Government. Ras Mikael was vanquished and taken prisoner and the rebellion was at an end. In ihe early part of the day both sides fought with their rifles, but finally, throwing them aside, they fell on each other wit ii spear and scimitar, and arrived at a conclusion. A correspondent sends to Tho Times an interesting account of tho manner in which tho victory was celebrated in Adis Abeba. The Empress held a great review to which all the foreign Ministers were invited. Those of tho Entente went in all the panoply of state, but the German Minister, abashed- by the rebuff to his intrigues, declined tho invitation and was represented by the Consul. Mr W. G. Thcs : ger (tho British Minister) was given a tent next to the Empress and the Legation party, and had an imposing escort of Sikh cavalry. The French, Italian, and Russian Ministers joined them. Tho Empress sat on cushions, covered with gorgeous tapestries, and next to her was the Abulia (head of the Church), and the Ministers. Heavily veiled, the Empress showed only her two eyes, and occasionally a hand when sho reached out to shako hands with those who were honoured to be presented to her. About 20,000 men, mounted on horses and mules, marched past, armed with rifles, swords, and spears. Most of them wore dressed in the national white robes of the country, and tho principal officers wero elaborately attired, tho lesser ones wearing sheepskins. Each chief rode to the saluting point at tho head of his men, and there, dismounting and throwing his reins to a slave to hold, he advanced to ,the Empress, brandished his sword in tho air. and danced a wild gesticulating dance, until, exhausted, he prostrated himself and kissed tho ground. It was a pathetic scene when the remnant of the pretender's army, numbering 100 men out of 5000, wero led before the tent, in deep silence. Prostrating themselves on the ground, they then withdrew and disappeared without a word. Then Ras Mikael, a venerable chief of 60 years, was led forward in chains. He bowed low and was taken away. Lesser chiefs came forward in similar plight, each bearing on his shoulder a largo stone in token of submission. "