The Evening Bulletin

SKINNER'S PARTY

Details of the United States Mission to King Menelik, of Abyssinia, Obtained.

ALL REPORTED IN GOOD HEALTH.

Consul Skinner and the Others Speak Enthusiastically of the Reception Accorded Them.

Americans Will Find a Large Field For Activity in the Gold, Coal, Petroleum and Asphalt Possibilities of Abyssinia.

Marseilles, Feb. 1.-The following details of the governmental mission to King Menelik, of Abyssinia, which was led by United States Consul Robert P. Skinner, have been obtained. Mr. Skinner's party arrived here Saturday on board the steamer Victoria.

The American marines and blue jackets who accompanied the expedition were left at Aden and went on to join the American gunboat Machias.

Consul Skinner and the other members of the party are in good health, and they speak enthusiastically of the reception accorded them by King Menelik. On the way to the coast the party saw one elephant and heard a number of lions, but experienced no exciting adventures. In the course of an interview Mr. Skinner said:

"President Roosevelt selected a most opportune time for establishing relations with Ethiopia, as Americans heretofore have been too indifferent to the remarkable development which is now going on in Abyssinia. Our cotton goods pass through many hands before being sold at high prices in Abyssinia but now Americans have an opportunity to conduct their own trade. King Menelik will send some of the products of his country to the St. Louis exposition, as well as a commission composed of able men, to show the Americans commercial opportunities in Abyssinia. The king is a broad-minded statesman who will welcome Americans."

During the visit of the Skinner party at the capital, King Menelik received them surrounded by an imposing assemblage of 2,000 functionaries. The escort of American marines established a camp called "Camp Roosevelt," which attracted a great deal of interest.

The king made a personal inspection of the camp, which lasted for three hours, and after having witnessed the maneuvers of the marines, he asked one of the men for his gun and loaded and fired it. This act on the part of the king pleased the visitors greatly.

The Americans were impressed with the assimilative ability of the Abyssinians. Consul Skinner saying that the country is being rapidly modernized and that new roads, bridges, water supplies, telephones and telegraph lines are being constructed. He considers the Abyssinians to be the "Japanese" of Africa. He points out, however, that the postal and banking systems are defective and unsatisfactory. The money is on a silver basis. Consul Skinner believes that Americans will find a large field for activity in the gold, coal, petroleum and asphalt possibilities of Abyssinia.

An official report of the result of the mission has been forwarded to Washington.