ABYSSINIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 4, 29 January 1909, Page 3

ABYSSINIA.

EJIPEKOK IUKNELIiv DYING. Paris. January 27. UeporLs statu that Emperor Menelik Abyssinia is seriously ill ami it is feared that his death may cause serious trouble.

On July Cth, 1006, an agreement between Great Britain, France and Italy, as to their interests in Abyssinia was concluded, and signed on December 13th, 11)00. It provided for the maintenance of the political and territorial status quo and of the open door. The three. Powers agreed to join, in case of necessity, in safeguarding the interests of •Oreat Britain and Egypt in the basin of tht< Niie, of Italy in Erytlnea, Somalihind and Benadir, a r ad of France in the 1 Somali Protectorate and the hinterland I and the zone necessary for the construe- I lion and working of the railway from .Jibutil to Adis Ab'eba. They alio agreed that a French company approved I by the French Government should construct the second section of the railway from Dire Daoua to Adis Abeba (continuing the existing French line from Jibuti! to Dire Daoua), with a branch line to llarar; but it was provided that the subjects of the three Powers should enjoy equal treatment regarding trade and tratlie on the railway and at the port of Jibutil. Railways west of Adia Abeba are to be constructed by Great Britain, which has a right to construct a liue from British Soraaliland across Abyssinia to the Soudan. Italy may connect Benadir by railway with Erytlirea. An agreement was come to for the suppression of the traffic 4 in contraband arms.