(Translation.)
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23RD APRIL, 1898.
Ras Makunan to Mr. Rodd.
Sent from Ras Makunan, Governor of Harrar and its dependencies:
May this reach the Honourable Mr. Rennell Rodd, Envoy of the British Kingdom.
329
I INFORM you to-day that, after long friendly discussion, the boundary of the British Somali Protectorate upon which we have agreed is as follows:-
Starting from the sea-shore opposite the wells of Hadou (as on which the French and the English Governments agreed in February 1888), it follows the caravan-road by Abbassonen till Mount Somadou; from Mount Somadou to Mount Saw; from Mount Saw to Mount Egu; from Mount Egu to Moga Medir; starting from Moga Medir, it goes in a direct line to Eylinta Kaddo and Arran Arrhe on 44 cast of Greenwich and 9° north, and again in a direct line until 47° east and 8° north. After this the boundary follows the line on which the English and the Italians agreed on the 5th May, 1894, until the sea.
The subjects of both the Contracting Parties are at liberty to cross their frontiers and graze their cattle, but these people, in every place where they go, must obey the Governor of the country in which they are, and the wells which are in the neighbourhood shall remain open for the two parties.
These two letters on which we have agreed, according to Article II of the Treaty of His Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia and Mr. Rennell Rodd of the 7th Genbot, 1889 (14th May, 1897), the two Sovereigns having seen them, if they approve them, shall be sealed again (ratified).
Written at Harrar, the 28th Genbot, 1889 (4th June, 1897).
(Signed)
Mr. Rodd to the Emperor Menelek II.
RAS MAKUNAN.
Cairo, August 30, 1897.
From Mr. Rennell Rodd, Special Envoy of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, to His Majesty Menelek II,
by the grace of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia.
Peace be unto your Majesty.
I HAVE the honour to announce that The Queen, my gracious Sovereign. has been pleased to approve and ratify the Treaty which I had the honour to sign with your Majesty on the 14th May
last.
Her Majesty has also been pleased to approve of the arrangement which, in accordance with the terms of Article II of the Treaty, was agreed upon between Ras Makunan, as Representative of your Majesty, and myself by exchange of notes relative to the frontier of the British Protectorate in the Somali Coast; and it is presumed by Her Majesty's Government that your Majesty has also approved of it, as they have received no notification to the contrary.
The notes exchanged have accordingly been annexed to the Treaty which has received ratification, signifying Her Majesty's approval of all these documents.
I have now the honour to return herewith the copy of the Treaty intrusted to me by your Majesty, with its ratification in due form.
When I shall have received from your Majesty a letter signifying that this Treaty, thus ratified and approved, has come safely to your Majesty's hands, it will be made public by the Government of the Queen, that all her subjects may observe it and abide by it, and that it may strengthen the ties of friendship between our countries, and increase the feelings of esteem and good-will towards your Majesty which the reception of the British Mission in Ethiopia has awakened in my country.
I pray that your Majesty's life and health may long be preserved, and that your people may have peace and prosperity.
RENNELL RÖDD.
(Signed)
(Translation.)
The Emperor Menelck to The Queen.
Menelek II, Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia, to Her Most Gracions Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India, Upholder and Keeper of the Christian Religion.
May peace be unto you.
YOUR Majesty's letters of the 28th Hamlé (3rd August) and 22nd (23rd) Mascarem (1st (2nd) October), 1897, and the Treaty with the Great Seal, dated the 28th Iainlé (3rd August), 1897, have reached me, and We received it with joy. The Treaty of Peace which is now between your Government and our Government, We hope it will ever increase in firmness and last for ever.
We ask God to give your Majesty health, and to your kingdom quietness and peace. Written at Adis Abbaba, the 8th December, 1897, a.d.
(Seal of His Majesty the Emperor Menelek II.)