territory, but he well understood the causes of their preferring British rule, and he admitted that we could not be expected to compel their return. I referred to the present satisfactory state of the frontier as regards the maintenance of order, and the great improvement that had taken place in this respect in the past year and a half. I reminded him that I had often in the past urged that he should go and see the situation for himself. I was glad that he had been able to do so. I hoped he now realised how important it was to the good relations of our two countries that there should be no more trouble in that direction. The Fitaurari agreed, and said that he had taken measures to ensure it..

I have, &c.

CLAUDE RUSSELL.

Sir,

No. 8.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.

Downing Street, October 18, 1923. I AM directed by the Duke of Devonshire to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, a copy of a despatch, with enclosures from the Governor of Kenya, regarding an incursion of Abyssinians into Kenya territory in March last, which. formed the subject of a question in the House of Commons on the 17th April.

&c.

I am,

H. J. READ.

My Lord,

Enclosure 1 in No. 3.

Sir R. Coryndon to the Duke of Devonshire.

Nairobi, September 4, 1923. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a communication received from His Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Addis Ababa on the subject of an incursion of Abyssinians into Kenya territory which took place in March last.

I have, &c.

R. T. CORYNDON, Governor.

Sir,

Enclosure 2 in No. 3.

Mr. Russell to Sir R. Coryndon.

Addis Ababa, July 17, 1923.

I BROUGHT to the knowledge of the Fitaurari Hapta Giorgis thefacts respecting the Abyssinian raid of March last and the consequent operations under Captain Hallowes.

My informant, who saw the Fitaurari, tells me that he was already informed of what had occurred. He stated that Dejazmatch Balcha of Sidamo had early this year given authority to Lij Ababa to go on a hunting expedition with 150 men. It appears that the latter is a well-known hunter, and the Dejazmatch must have known, said the Fitaurari, that if he went to hunt elephants he must cross the British frontier to find them. Fitaurari Ayale, who had news of Lij Ababa's intentions, caused the roads to be watched and tried to intercept him, but unsuccessfully, though a few of his men were captured.

Fitaurari Hapta Giorgis produced a man who had recently arrived from the Boran with news. This man said that of the eighty men who accompanied Lij Ababa twenty only had returned. Besides those killed, twenty odd were wounded, and the rest had died of thirst. The twenty survivors had returned in a state of starvation with nothing but their rifles. Lij Ababa was one of these.

The Fitaurari said that Dejazmatch Balcha had reported that he had arrested and chained Lij Ababa on his arrival at Sidamo, but the Fitaurari was disinclined to believe this. The Fitaurari announced his intention to ask the Central Government to order Dejazmatch Balcha to send Lij Ababa to the capital for punishment. The Fitaurari was evidently not displeased to hear of the misfortunes which had befallen Dejazmatch Balcha's people.

I think we may conclude that, thanks to Captain Hallowes' energetic and successful action, the raiders in question received a salutary lesson, and that there will be small inclination for such enterprises for some time to come.

I have, &c.

CLAUD RUSSELL.

My Lord,

No. 4.

Mr. Russell to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.

Addis Ababa, September 29, 1923. I HAVE the honour to enclose herein a translation of a proclamation recently issued and communicated to me by the Abyssinian Government against slave-raiding, and providing for the repatriation of slaves so captured. Proclamations in regard to the slave trade. have appeared periodically for some years past, and have remained without appreciable effect. This proclamation will no doubt share. the fate of similar pronouncements on the same subject. I have, &c.

CLAUD RUSSELL.

Abyssinian Minister for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Russell.

(Translation.)

AFTER greetings.

I am ordered by my master, His Highness Ras Taffari, Heir Apparent to the Throne of Ethiopia, to enclose herein a copy of a. proclamation recently issued by the Abyssinian Government in confirmation of previous proclamations against the slave trade, stating that no man may sell a human being as a slave, and also the penalties to be imposed on the Governors, local chiefs, headmen and others who disregard the terms of the proclamation. If anyone commits such offences he shall be sentenced to death. I hope that this letter will make it clear to you that the Abyssinian Government continue most anxious to suppress the practice of slavery. (Seal of the Abyssinian Foreign Office.)

SAHLE SADALOU.

September 21, 1923 (10th Maskaram 1916).

Enclosure 2 in No. 4.

Proclamation.

(Translation.)

[By the Conquering Lion from the Tribe of Judah, and the Appointed of God, Judith, Empress of Ethiopia, Daughter of Menelik II; and Ras Taffari, Heir Apparent to the Throne of Ethiopia.]

His Majesty the Emperor Menelik II many times made proclamation against the trade in slaves, saying let none sell or buy a man as a slave, and since then many other such-like proclamations have been made. The cause of these proclamations and the reason why some men were declared slaves were that certain nations were at war with us, and this had caused money to be spent which these nations had to repay by their labour, and this also, that they might learn virtue by communication with Christians. Now it seems that you break these proclamations, and go forth of your own wills to spoil other lands and to carry off men that you may sell them as slaves. If these men obey, you keep them in slavery, and if they obey not, you slay them. Now if any man be found to commit such offences, know you that such a man will be condemned to die. If anyone be found who has been taken from his country as a slave after this proclamation was made, such a one shall be asked the name of his country, and the Governor of such country shall have to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars for each slave, and the headmen and the chiefs shall each pay 500 dollars. From now and hereafter anyone who has been taken from his country as a slave shall receive a warrant of freedom, and he shall have the right to return to his own land. Any man who is taken from his own land and made a slave after this proclamation was made must return to his land, and

we shall decide the tax such men are to pay to the Government. I have named certain men who will carry out the words of this proclamation, and if you know anyone that shall transgress against them and you prove it before the judge, one-third of the penalty before-named shall be yours.

September 15, 1923 (4th Maskaram 1916).

My Lord,

No. 5.

Mr. Russell to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.

Addis Ababa, October 20, 1923. I FEEL constrained to call your Lordship's attention to certain proceedings at Moyale, on the Kenya frontier. The matter in question is set forth in the enclosed extract from a report addressed to me by Captain Cochrane. The migration of native tribesmen from Abyssinian to British territory is a long-standing cause of trouble in the district in question, but the expulsion of these people, who only seek refuge from the exactions and tyranny of the Abyssinian authorities, is against all precedent, as it is, in my opinion, against every principle of justice and humanity. Captain Cochrane himself would appear to have misgivings on the subject. I fear, however, that the assurances given him by Ato Gabru are worthless. I am distressed to think of the treatment to which these unfortunate people have doubtless been subjected on falling again into the power of their old oppressors. Your Lordship will note that some women of the tribe abandoned their families and fled back into British territory rather than face what they knew must be their fate.

I have called the attention of the Governor of Kenya to the above by telegraph, but I should be glad to think that my protest may have your Lordship's support in the proper quarter.

It may be remembered that Captain Cochrane's proposed action in regard to the use of the frontier wells has latterly been a cause of anxiety to this Legation.

I have, &c.

CLAUD RUSSELL.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5.

Extract from Report by Captain D. E. Cochrane, Officer in Charge, Moyale, of September 11, 1923.

Yaben.

IN In my last report reference was made to the Yaben crossing into our territory, and that a request from Makuria Wolda Kidan (acting for Lij Ngash, Governor of the Liban Province) had been received asking for their return. The officer in charge, Wajir, was most successful in rounding up these people, and forwarded to me under escort some 47 men, 20 women-also children-400 camels, and

approximately 2,500 goats and sheep. Unfortunately half the goats and sheep succumbed on the waterless track from Wajir to Buna. (Captain Bailey informed me that he was aware that great loss would incur, but that this would prove a deterrent to a further transmigration of these people. I agree.)

In the meanwhile Hiloli Muhammad proceeded to Ogorchi and rounded up some more of these people, together with their stock (about 200 camels and 460 goats), and located much more in the Gurar area.

I then convened all those captured and their stock at Buna, and proceeded with them to Adadajoli, where I handed them over to Ato Gabru.

These Yaben brought such strong charges of ill-treatment against Wolda Kidan that I did not feel justified in handing them over to him, and a copy of my letter which is attached will show the conditions on which I handed them over to Ato Gabru.

The women were chief complainants. They stated that they were outraged by Kidan's soldiery, and that rather than return they would lose their stock and children. (Many of them actually left their stock and got away, eighteen escaping back to Wajir, where there is a section of their tribe living.)

There are still many others and much stock not rounded up, but arrangements have been made that the Degodia chiefs, with escort, can collect the others.

We held a “baraza" at Adadajoli, and Ato Gabru promised the Yaben that he would give them a place to live near him, and that they should receive proper treatment in future, that the whole matter would be referred to Addis Ababa, and that their grievances should be looked into. Eventually they went off with Ato Gabru apparently quite happy and satisfied that life would be more tolerable in future.

Greetings,

Enclosure 2 in No. 5.

Captain Cochrane to Ato Gabru.

Moyale, August 27, 1923. As you are aware, Makuria Wolda Kidan wrote to me some time ago that many Degodia had crossed to our side and asked me to collect and return them.

I immediately wrote to the officer in charge, Wajir, and also went out myself to collect these people.

As a result I have collected over 120 Yaben, 3,000 sheep and goats and 700 camels. The exact figures I will give you when handing over.

The fact of you being at Gaddaduma alone allows me to hand these people over, and I will hand them over to you and to no one else.

Although I do not give credence to half these people tell me, I am convinced that ill-treatment is alone responsible for them