It is of the greatest importance that England and Italy
should be close allies ; but it is of even greater importance that England should keep her word with little people, and apparently we have not kept it towards the Negus of Abyssinia, King. John as the telegrams call him. He was asked, through Admiral Hewett, Captain Speedy, and others, to assist in rescuing the garrisons of Kassala and other places. He assented, and in 1884 a Treaty was signed, and subsequently ratified,. Clause 1 of which runs thus :—" From the date of the signing of this Treaty, there shall be free transit through Massowah to and from Abyssinia for all goods, including arms and ammuni- tion, under British protection." King John kept his word,, helping to bring off all the garrisons, except the one in Kassala ; but we have allowed the Italians to blockade Massowah. We admit the British Government offered its mediation, that it was rejected by King John, and that there may be facts in the history of the Portal Mission, which carried the offer of media- tion, that explain the whole matter. King John is perfectly capable of declining our help and threatening to crush the Italians for himself; but if that is the explanation, it should be stated in Parliament. At present, so far as we see, any French- man or Russian can quote the fate of Massowah as an instance of " British perfidy."
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