Since this battle all the nations interested in Africa have been seeking
the friendship of this swarthy monarch.
England finds it necessary to make a friend of him, lest in her wars
with the Mahdi's followers, in the Soudan, she have Menelik also against
her.
France and Italy both need the alliance of this powerful king, else they
will not be able to maintain the colonies they have already established.
Most of the African rulers have been won over with presents of beads and
gaudy ornaments, but Menelik belongs to a different class. He has
studied and tried to fathom the intricacies of European government, and
if he gives his friendship to the nations that are suing for it, it will
be in exchange for benefits much more substantial than the Europeans
have been accustomed to give.
* * * * *
Steady progress has been made with the Tariff Bill, and it is expected
that it will be passed within a very few days.
An attempt has been made to put a provision against Trusts in the bill.
The proposed clause would make it unlawful for people to combine
together to restrain free competition or to increase the market price of
materials.
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