COLORED PLATE-BADGES OF GRAND ARMY AND LOYAL LEGION, AND MEDAL OF HONOR 329 538 THE ANNUAL CYCLOPÆDIA. ABYSSINIA, a monarchy in Eastern Africa, having an area of about 200,000 square miles, and a population estimated at 4,000,000 souls. The monarch, who is called the Negus, is Johannis, or John, formerly prince of the province of Tigré, who, after a period of civil warfare following the British invasion of 1868, was proclaimed king in 1872. A respecting the transit of merchandise. The Abyssinians did not desire to possess Massowah, not being able to hold so distant a post, and were willing that it should remain in the possession of Great Britain, but grew jealous when it was handed over to the Italians, whom they immediately suspected of aggressive designs on their territory. Their suspicions inTreaty with England. During the operations creased when the Italians established friendly for the withdrawal of the Egyptian garrisons relations with the Habab tribe, which was in from the Soudan in the early part of 1884, con- rebellion against the Abyssinians, and when cessions were offered to the Abyssinian Negus they occupied places in the surrounding counfor the removal of the long-standing differences try for the troops that had been in dispute between him and the Egyptian Khedive. A between the Abyssinians and Egyptians, but formal delimitation of the frontier was offered, which the latter had never gone so far as to which would restore to him the territory of take possession of. King John sent a letter Bogos; also free transit for all goods, includ- to the Queen of England, complaining of these ing arms and ammunition, through the port of acts, and asserting that the Italians obstructed Massowah, under British protection. It was the transit of goods. The Italian Government further agreed that all difficulties in the mat- dispatched an imposing mission, in the beginter of supplying an Aboona, or high-priest, for ning of 1886, to confer with King Johannis, Abyssinia from one of the Coptic churches of and conclude a treaty similar to that made by Egypt should be removed. For these conces- the English. The Italians were willing to insions King Johannis agreed to facilitate the re- crease the concessions already granted, and detreat through his territory of the Egyptians at sired in return to extend their settlements so as Kassala and other posts in the neighboring to include healthful quarters for their soldiers parts of the Soudan. All future disputes be- in the district of Keren, situated in the uplands tween Abyssinia and Egypt were to be re- near Massowab. The English Government deferred to the British Government for arbitra- termined on sending an envoy to accompany tion. A treaty containing these provisions was the Italian officers for the purpose of making concluded by Admiral Sir William Hewett as explanations that would help to bring about a special British envoy. The Abyssinians sub- good understanding between the Italians and sequently more than redeemed their promises, the Negus, and also of conveying presents and not merely granting passage to the garrisons expressions of gratitude for the aid given by of Gallabat and Ghirra, but actively interven- the Abyssinians in extricating the Egyptian ing for their rescue, and making a brave at- garrisons. The Italian envoys were recalled, tempt to succor the Egyptians at Kassala. when it became evident that they would not be cordially received. The Englishman proceeded alone, and at Asmara, the first Abyssinian village, met Ras Aloula, the King's general, who was incensed at reports of Italian encroachments, and threatened to attack their advanced positions. The envoy found the Negus also annoyed. No steps were taken by the Italians, after their rebuff, to remove the cool The Italians at Massowah.-The port of Massowah, which had formerly been an object of dispute between the rulers of Abyssinia and the Khedive of Egypt, was taken possession of by Italy, with the concurrence of Great Britain, when the Egyptian garrisons were withdrawn from the Soudan, the Italians undertaking to carry out the British agreement VOL. XXVII.-1 A |