THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23rd APRIL, 1898.
ARTICLE IV.
327
His Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia, on the one hand, accords to Great Britain and her Colonies, in respect of import duties and local taxation, every advantage which he may accord to the subjects
of other nations.
On the other hand, all material destined exclusively for the service of the Ethiopian State shall, on application from His Majesty the Emperor, be allowed to pass through the port of Zeyla into Ethiopia free of duty.
ARTICLE V.
The transit of fire-arms and ammunition destined for His Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia through the territories depending on the Government of Her Britannic Majesty is authorized, subject to the conditions prescribed by the General Act of the Brussels Conference, signed the 2nd July, 1890.
ARTICLE VI.
His Majesty the Emperor Menelek II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, engages himself towards the Government of Her Britannic Majesty to do all in his power to prevent the passage through his dominions of arms and ammunition to the Mahdists, whom he declares to be the enemies of his Empire.
The present Treaty shall come into force as soon as its ratification by Her Britannic Majesty shall have been notified to the Emperor of Ethiopia, but it is understood that the prescriptions of Article VI shall be put into force from the date of its signature.
In faith of which His Majesty Menelek II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, in his own name, and James Rennell Rodd, Esq., on behalf of Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, have signed the present Treaty, in duplicate, written in the English and Amharic languages identically, both texts being considered as official, and have thereto affixed their seals.
Done at Adis Abbaba, the 14th day of May, 1897.
(L.S.)
(Seal of His Majesty the Emperor Menelek II.)
(Signed)
JAMES RENNELL RODD.
Annexes to Treaty signed at Adis Abbaba on the 14th May, 1897, by His Majesty the Emperor Menelek,
and by Mr. James Rennell Rodd.
Your Majesty,
Annex 1.
Mr. Rodd to the Emperor Menelek.
Adis Abbaba, May 14, 1897.
WITH reference to Article II of the Treaty which we are to sign to-day, I am instructed by my Government, in the event of a possible occupation by Ethiopia of territories inhabited by tribes who have formerly accepted and enjoyed British protection in the districts excluded from the limits of the British Protectorate on the Somali Coast, as recognized by your Majesty, to bring to your knowledge the desire of Her Majesty the Queen to receive from your Majesty an assurance that it will be your special care that these tribes receive equitable treatment, and are thus no losers by this transfer of suzerainty.
In expressing the hope that your Majesty will enable me to give this assurance, I have, &c.
RENNELL RODD.
(Signed)
The Emperor Menelek to Mr. Rodd.
(Translation.)
The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Menelek II, by the grace of God, King of Kings of
Ethiopia, to Mr. Rennell Rodd, Envoy of the Kingdom of England.
Peace be unto you.
With regard to
YOUR letter, written in Genbot 1889, respecting the Somalis, has reached me. the question you have put to me, I give you the assurance that the Somalis who may by boundary arrangements become subjects of Ethiopia shall be well treated and have orderly government.
Written at Adis Abbaba, the 6th Genbot, 1889 (14th May, 1897). (Seal of His Majesty the Emperor Menelek II.)