The Italians are showing courage and determination in Abyssinia ;
but they find the work to be done weigh heavily upon their resources. King Menelek, though willing to treat, refuses their present terms ; and they have not the means to -defeat his army, described as containing eighty thousand men. They have been compelled to evacuate Makaleh, where the garrison had neither food nor water, and are even delighted because the General who was besieging it, anxious to avoid the losses which would accompany a storm, allowed the garrison to depart with all arms, and even escorted it to General Baxatieri's position at Adagamus. It will be difficult to avoid II decisive battle, and the enthusiasm and excitement in Italy hive risen to an extraordinary height, the popular conviction bting that the Abyssinians are armed with French weapons and guided by French advisers. Large reinforcements are being sent forward, but even if King Menelek's army is ,d-feated, little will have been gained, except a satisfaction to the national pride.
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