"ملخص للأحداث الرئيسية. ١٩٠٨" [ظ‎‎٥‎٩] (١٥٦/١٢٣)

ships of war have been constantly on the watch for dhows carrying arms, but
up to the present there have only been a few small captures.
Eeports from a traveller in Abyssinia assert that a tremendous trade iu
arms is carried on through the agency of the French Consul at Dirre Dawa.
Erom Abyssinia the rifles pass through the hands of the Ogaden to the Mulla.
Tbe writer states that he has met caravans containing as many as lo 3 00. ritles
nn fli a mnrnh in Ahvssinia.
Acquirement of a Early in September it was reported from Aden that the German gun-boat
non 1 ™!!! ^he^neShl “ Seeadler ” visited Jibuti and remained there three days. The Governor of
bourbood of Jibuti. Jibuti accompanied some of the officers of the gunboat, and measured a plot
of land five miles west of Jibuti to be acquired for the purpose of a coal depot.
Inquiries were made at Paris unofficially as to whether there w T as any founda
tion for the report of a concession to the German Government of a coaling
depot near Jibuti; it was stated that there was absolutely no foundation for
such a rumour.
ABYSSINIA.
General. There would appear to be nothing of importance to record in Abyssinia
during the year under review. The fact which was mentioned in last year’s
reports that the Negus Menelik had formed a Cabinet on Puiopeau lines has
been substantiated. It is reported that considerable interest is manifested in
Abyssinia in the movement, as it is recognised that if the new Ministers are
enabled to perform tbeir functions they will be able to relieve the Emperor
of many matters of detail, which at present occupy his time to the exclusion
of other more important matters.
Nomination of an In Jnne it was reported that the Emperor had nominated as his suc-
heir to the tbrone. cessor Lidj Eyassu, a son of Pas Mikhael and the Emperor s daughter.
Projected visit of In May Amir Abdullah Sadik, the Governor of Harar, who was deported
the Governor 0 f Ha-f rom j n 1906 , expressed an intention of visiting the Somali Mulla ma
Muiia. S ° al Aden and Berbera. The object of the visit was said to be to lorm an offensive
and defensive alliance between the Mulla and Menelik against ourselves and
the Italians. Later, however, it was reported that Abdulla Sadik had been
stopped by order of the Emperor Menelik, and that he had returned to Harar.
itaio-Abyssinian At the commencement of the year a boundary Convention was at last
boundary Conven- signed between the Italian Government and Menelik, by which a large piece
tion * of territory is ceded to Italy. By it she obtains the whole of the left bank
of the Juba up to the point where the Danu and Ganale join to form that
river, at the town of Hole. Erom Hole the new frontier is drawn eastwards
till it reaches the Webi Shebili, and from that point it is to follow the Nerizzini
line, i.£?„ 180 miles from the coast, until the frontier of British Somaliland is
reached. By this treaty Italy gains Hugh, of which she has long been desirous
of obtaining possession. The amount of compensation which Italy will pay
to Menelik for the recognition of her sovereignty has not yet been settled.
Angio-Abyssmian In the beginning of the year the long delayed question regarding the
Froctier. frontier between British East Africa and Abyssinia was settled. The
frontier as now defined follows the fourth parallel of north latitude, and, while
leaving Lake Stephanie to Abyssinia, meets Lake Rudolph at a point about
Lat. 10° 30' N on its eastern shore. The boundary is now being demarcated.
Jibuti-Dirre Daws The Emperor appears to have refused the extension of the Jibuti-Hirre
Railway Exteueion. Hawa railway, and its transfer to the Erench Government.
In December, however, it was reported in the Press that a party of French
engineers had lately surveyed the section from Hirre Hawa to Addis Abbaba,
and that operations upon it were expected to commence shortly.