File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎371v] (751/834)

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heir apparent was quite unable to make decisions, owing to his
waning power, and there had been some quarrelling in public
between him and the Fitaurari. The situation improved, how
ever, towards the end of the month and a second reconciliation
was effected^
His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires points out that it is no
longer a question of differences between the Empress and the
Minister of War on one side, and the Has on the other, but it is
now rather a strife between the Conservative and Progressive
elements of the country, and, as the Progressive party counts but
few members besides the Eas himself, it practically amounts to
a national movement against the heir to the throne.
The representatives of the European Powers at Addis Abbaba
advised the Eas to form an Executive Council of four chiefs,
including himself, in order to do away with the present un
satisfactory dual control. Fitaurari Hapti Georgis was also
approached, and he agreed that the formation of such a council
would offer a solution of the existing difficulties. He considered,
however, that it should be constituted of twelve members, no
doubt being actuated by a desire to respond to the public
agitations for the reinstatement of the Ministers who were dis
missed a year ago.
The improvement in the political situation was maintained
in July. Outwardly at least, Eas Taffari and the Fitaurari were
more friendly than before.
The Abuna, Eas Kassa, Eas Taffari, and the Empress were
interviewed, and expressed themselves as satisfied with the
existing state of affairs and did not consider any change in
Government, such as the proposed Council, was necessary.
Indeed, the Empress went so far as to say that it was the will of
Providence that there should be bad Governments all the world
over at the present time, and therefore Abyssinia was not being
punished more severely than any other country.
It would seem that it is not in politics alone that Eas Taffari
is progressive. He was actively engaged during July in precipi
tating a dollar crisis by promiscuously issuing permits for the
export of dollars to whomsoever was prepared to offer a suitable
bribe.
A campaign against the rebels in the south was about to begin
in June, whilst in the east an expedition to suppress the Ogaden
was being planned. We have not yet heard whether either
scheme matured.
Considerable excitement was caused at Addis Abbaba by the
receipt of communications from the Abyssinian Mission in France,
urging the immediate despatch of Eas Taffari and other influential
chiefs to Paris, but it was eventually decided to hold up the matter