ABYSSINIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9810, 31 March 1910, Page 3

ABYSSINIA.

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Roceivctl March 31, 12.40 p.m.) [ LONDON, March 30. i Router's Rome correspondent reports ) that Menelik is dead. Other reports | confirm this statement-. : THE NEW EMPEROR. The gravity of the news from the Ethiopian capital leaves little room to doubt that Menelik, the once masterful ruler of Abyssinia, is dead. When tho Negus suffered his first stroke- it was thought that his wonderful constitution would enable him to throw off its effects under proper treatment. This was eighteen months ago, and, although tho conclusion of the European doctors who examined him v,-as sanguine, in December Menelik experienced a second seizure, and his death was not unexpected. It is to ho regretted that Menelik did not maintain his powers lo(ig enough to ho ablo to comfort himself with the reflection that tho destinies of the kingdom would be safe m the hands of his successor. The question of a successor has been very prominent during the last decade, while it lias been tho only subject upon which the Emperor Menelik and his wife, the Empress Taitu, havo disagrees.. Some time back a candidate for the succession, who was acceptable, both to tho sovereigns and the Abyssinians, was the son or Ras Makonnen, and an unmistakably clever boy. He died five year* ago, and the loss has never been satisfactorily replaced. For some time past events have been pointing to the little Prince Lidj Eya&su, a son of Ras Mikhael, and n grandson of Menelik, but no relation to tho Empress Taitu, and on that score an object of onvy to her supporters. Tho Empress has done her utmost to oppose the selection of Lidj Eyassu, and the final decision was left in abeyance as tho old lady is something of a power in Addis Aheba, and quite capable of raising trouble on her own account if she so desired. The sudden turn given to Menelik's position bv his seizure in the spring of 1908 left the Cabinet ostensibly no alternative to fulfilling Menelik's wishes. Accordingly, Lidj Eyassu was nominated as the Abyssinian' Crown Prince in succession to'the Negus. In confirmation of th# selection of his grandson, Menelik arranged an extended European tour for the little Prince, when, boginnino- with Rome, he was to have visited the principal capitals during the present autumn, accompanied bv his father and a number of Abyssinian grandees: and Rome, London, Paris, Berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna and Constantinople would have been treated to an nwar.ingly barbaric but nouo tho less impressive display. Menelik's second attack in the early part of October caused the tour to be dropped. Menelik, realising his condition, did his best to safeguard the interests of his grandson. In the preFenco of all tho chiefs, the last Imperial decree of any importance wa« solemnly proclaimed. Tn it Lidj Eyassu was announced as the official successor tn his grandfather, and the curse of Heaven invoked on any who failed to recotmise him as such and to serve him faithfully. With an eye to possible contingencies, that trusted adviser to the throne, the Rns Tesnmma, who had been acting as an unofficial guardian to the young Princo sinco tho late Negus Avar? first taken ill, was confirmed in his position, and a step taken which imposed a very effectual check on. the possible plans of the Empress Taitu.