AN ABYSSINIAN STORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1917, Page 7

AN ABYSSINIAN STORM.

GERMAN INTRIGUE UPSET. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS. The long, silent hand of the German official intriguer, which has made itself telt wherever any GowvnriMit has attempted to maintain tin- Minba'iep 0 f neutrality, Was discovered in Abyssinia some time c[go by the representatives of the Entente Towers.

When the Emperor Mcnelik finally mod, after so many false alarms, he was succeeded by a sprightly youth named Lidj Jeassu, son of Menelik's daughter Now Abyssinia is a Christian country of long traditions, and it ollonded the 'people when their new Emperor was manifestly m favor of the Turks. Turkey being the enemy of the Entente, tli» Ministers at Adis Abeba, in September last, entered a formal protest against the way things were going, and at the Feast of Mascal (the Cross), on the ~ch inst, they formally declared Lidj Jeassu deposed in favor of his aunt and'her son Km lafiari. The young Emperor at the time was absent in Hnrrar, but when he came back trouble began to brew His father, Ras Mikael, ruler of the province of Wollo, raised an army and marched against Adis Abeba, and at Ankober he inflicted a serious defeat on the army of the new Government, numbering about MOO 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 living refuge to their' nationals, who were largely Hindu merchants. But the Government showed commendable promptitude in repairing its fortunes. f 0"« under Ha* Tafiari and the War Minister, and on October .27 they came in touch with the Pretender's army. In a battle 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. Ra s Mikaei was vanquished and taken prisoner, and the rebellion was at an end. In the early part of the ia l fl°V W ?? wi"' their rifles, but finally, throwing them aside thev ell on each other frith spear and'sciinitor, and arrived,ajt a conclusion.

CELEBRATING THE VICTORY. A correspondent sends to The Times an interesting account of the manner in which the victory was celebrated in Adi< Abeba. The Empress held a great review, to which all the foreign Ministers were invited. Those of the Entente went in all the panoply of state, hut the German Minister, abashed by the rebuff to his intrigues, declined the invitation and was represented by'the Consul. Mr! W. 6. Thesiger, tho British Minister was given a tent next to the Empress and the Legation party had an imposing escort, of Sikh cavalry. The French Italian, and Russian Ministers pined them. ' The Empress sat on cushions, covered with goryoous tnpeslries, and next to her >vas the Abuna (head of the Church) an I the Ministers. Heavily veiled, the Empress showed only her two eves and occasionally a hand, when she" reached out to shake hands with those who were honored to be presented to her About 20,000 men, mounted on horses and mule's, marched past, armed with nnos, swords, Most of them were dressed in'the national white robes of the country and t»e principal officers were elaborately attired, the lesser one» wearine sheepskins, Each chief rode to the saluting point at the head of his men and there, dismounting and throwing his reins to a slave to hold, he advanced to the Empress, brandished his sword m the air, ahd danced a wild gesticulating dance, until, exhausted he prostrated himself and kissed 'the ground.

It was a pathetic scene when the remnant of the pretender's army, numbering 100 men out of 5000, were led before the tent, in deep silence. Prostrating themselves on the ground, thc v then withdrew and disappeared without a word. Then Ras Mikael, a venerable chief of sixty 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 large stone in token of submission.