I few questions 1. Was there a proof as whether Menilik was in side with Atse Yohannes when Gondar and Gojam were invaded by the Mahadists?

2. Is it true that Menelik was to get back home after waiting for few days in Adwa becasue the italians didn’t move from their military base?

Take care

It is because of Adwa and our great grandparents, who paid the ultimate price, we, their descendents, walk tall with our heads held high in to the clouds, sometimes being the only shade of color in the room in corporate America. May yehagere arba arat tabotoch yitebiquatchew!!!!

The New York Times
Published March 3, 1896

ITALY’S TERRIBLE DEFEAT

Three thousand Men Killed, Sixty Guns and All Provisions Lost.

Baratieri’s Strategy Condemned.

All Available Steamers for Transport of Reinforcements to Abyssinia are Ordered.

Persistent Rumor of Ministry’s Fall

Rome, March 3 – The present campaign against the Abyssinians threatens to become one of the most disastrous in which the Italians arms have ever taken part, and what the final outcome will be it would be hard to predict. It was rumored today that the latest defeat of the Italians by King Menelik had compelled Ministry to resign, owing to the popular disapproval of the Government’s policy, but tonight this report is denied.

Details received here today of the defeat on Sunday of the Italian Army show that the Italian losses were very heavy, they being placed by some at 3,000 killed. It is still impossible to ascertain the precise losses, but popular opinion credits the report that the number of killed is not overstated. Thus far the reports make no mention of the number of wounded. Among the dead are Gen. Albertone, Commander of the Left Brigade, and Gen. Dabormida, Commander of the Right Brigade.

The news of this latest disaster has caused the greatest excitement throughout Italy, and the Opposition party is taking advantage of it to make violent attacks upon the Government’s policy in attempting to extend the sphere of Italian influence in Abyssinia.

The Pope is greatly disturbed by the news.

Among the many reports current today was one to the effect that Gen. Baratieri had committed suicide, being unable to endure the humuliation of his defeat.

The issue of pursuing the Italians into Eritrea and beyond is a complex historical issue. It is true that the decision is a sad legacy, but we have to weigh in all the factors that led to the decision. Lij Iyasu understood the unfinished issue by carving out a policy to drive out all the three colonial powers (Italy, France, and Britain) from the greater Horn of Africa. This is hinted in the following paragraph:

Realizing the need to completely remove all the colonizers as an effective and lasting way to bring peace and prosperity in the region, the grandson of the Emperor, Lij Iyassu attempted to carve anti-colonial policy. He began to send arms to freedom fighters in Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. He entered into a treaty of peace and cooperation with the Austrians, the Germans and the Turks against the British, Italians and the French. Unfortunately, the rule of Lij Iyassu was short-lived. The tri-partite powers colluded with the then Tafari Makonnen to successfully remove him from power.

It is also important to note that the logistics (Yesinq gudai) problem would have been too immense. The enemy would have had a chance to regroup and confront the Ethiopian army again and again. After all, it did exactly that in 1935 and occupied almost the whole region for five years!

The positive feedback of Ira Revels and Z is appreciated.

The simple answerer to your question regarding why Menelik decided not to pursue the Italians into Eretria is “brilliant”.

1. You have to look at the time during which the war was conducted, there was severe drought throughout Ethiopia, and starvation was looming over a most of the Northern part of the country.

2. The army must have been too exhausted after the battle and long journey from the central highlands.

3. In addition to that you have to make a political decision not to push your luck, understand what you have achieved and wait for the right time to make your next move.

4. As you maybe aware the Italians were well established in Eretria and preparing to sending reinforcement from Eretria and even from Italy to help the defeated army so taking all that in to account and lack any popular movement within Eretria against Italians Minelike made the right decision not to go further with the war.

Take care

Best,
Ira