Albuquerque Morning Journal

MENELIK OF ABYSSINIA

There have been so many reports within the past few months of the death of Menelik, emperor of Abyssinia - or, as he called himself, King of the Kings of Ethiopia - that the latest may be taken with some caution. Notwithstanding the modern facilities of communication introduced into his realm by Menelik, circumstances make it probable that his people may wish to delay as long as possible the news of the death of their great monarch. For the Negus dies without a son, leaving a heritage of disputed sovereignty to Ethiopia, the chief contestant being his grandson, who is bitterly opposed to the Empress Taitou.

Menelik was one of the most picturesque rulers of modern times. Ruling an ancient kingdom that has flourished for many centuries with our own country by achievements that are little short of marvelous. For he has succeeded in establishing a strong rule among the strange mixture of races and religions that make up the people of Abyssinia, and in introducing many of the inventions of civilization in spite of the opposition of a fanatical spirit of reaction. Menelik's crowning achievement, however, was his maintenance of Ethiopian independence, and his success in keeping in check all European encroachments. This he accomplished by brilliant military leadership, administering a crushing defeat to the Italians in 1896 which settled for them all question of African empire. Since then Menelik has so far succeeded in playing one power against another that not only Italy, but France and Great Britain - the other powers having territorial interests in northeast Africa - have bound themselves to preserve the integrity of Abyssinia, and to abstain from meddling in the internal affairs of the country. This is a wonderful record for such a monarch and such a country, and all the credit belongs to Menelik.