Post
by EthioRedSea » 29 Jul 2021, 00:18
TREATY OF WUCHALE
UMBERTO I
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE WILL OF THE COUNTRY
KING OF ITALY
In view of art. 5 of the Articles critical of the Kingdom;
Having heard the Council of Ministers,
on the proposal of the president of the council of ministers, our acting Minister of Foreign Affairs;
We have decreed and decree:
Sole Article.
Full and complete execution will be given to the Treaty of friendship and trade between the
Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Ethiopia signed in the camp of Uccialli May 2, 1889, and
ratified by us on September 29, 1889. We order that this decree, bearing the seal of the State, is
inserted in the official collection of laws and decrees of the Kingdom of Italy, sending all to observe
and it is enforced. Given at Rome, this day of April 10, 1890.
UMBERTO
F. Crispi
TREATY
Of friendship and trade between the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Ethiopia
-----------
His Majesty King Umberto I of Italy Menelik II and His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia, in
order to make profitable and lasting peace between the two kingdoms of Italy and Ethiopia, have
agreed to conclude a treaty of friendship and trade.
His Majesty the King of Italy, having delegated as his representative the Contre Pietro Antonelli,
Commander of the Crown of Italy, Knight of SS. Maurice and Lazarus, his envoy extraordinary at
His Majesty the King Menelik whose full powers were recognized in full and due form, and His
Majesty King Menelik stipulating in its own name as King of Kings of Ethiopia, agreed and
concludes the following Articles:
1
Art. 1. There will be perpetual peace and friendship constant between His Majesty the King of Italy
and His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia and between their respective heirs, successors,
subjects and protected populations.
Art. 2. Each party may be represented by a diplomatic agent accredited to the other and may
appoint consuls, agents and consular officials in the other.
These officials entitled to all privileges and immunities according to the customs of European
governments.
Art. 3. To remove any ambiguity about the limits of the territories over which the two Contracting
Parties shall exercise the rights of sovereignty, a special committee composed of two Italian delegates
and two Ethiopians will trace on the ground with appropriate signs a permanent boundary line
whose benchmarks are established as follows:
a) The line of the plateau will mark the Italian-Ethiopian border;
b) Starting from the region Arafali, Halai, Saganeiti and Asmara are villages in the Italian border;
c) Adi Adi Nefas and Joannes will be on the side of Bogos in the Italian border;
d) From Adi Joannes a straight line extended from east to west will mark the border between Italy
and Ethiopia.
Art. 4. The monastery of Debra Bizen with all his possessions remain the property of the Ethiopian
Government, but will never use it for military purposes.
Art. 5. The caravans to or from Massawa on Ethiopian territory will pay a single customs duty of 8
per cent on the value of the goods.
Art. 6. The trade of weapons and ammunition to or from Ethiopia through Massawa will be free
only for the King of Kings of Ethiopia.
Whenever they'll want to get the passage of these kinds must make a formal application to the
Italian authorities bearing the royal seal.
The caravans loaded with weapons and ammunition will travel under the protection and the escort
2
of Italian soldiers to the border of Ethiopia.
Art. 7. The subjects of each of the two contracting parties may freely enter, travel, go out with their
effects and merchandise in the country of the other and enjoy the added protection of the
Government and its employees.
It is however strictly prohibited to people armed by both the Contracting Parties to come together
in many or few and pass their borders in order to impose itself to the people and groped by force to
procure food and livestock.
Art. 8. The Italians in Ethiopia and Ethiopians in Italy or Italian possessions can buy and sell, take
or give in rent and in any other manner dispose of their property not otherwise than the natives.
Art. 9. It 'fully guaranteed in both states the option for the other subjects to practice their religion.
Art. 10.The complaints or disputes between Italians in Ethiopia will be defined by the Italian in
Massawa or his delegate.
The quarrels between Italian and Ethiopian will be defined by the Italian in Massawa and by his
delegate and the delegate of the Ethiopian authority.
Art.11. Dying an Italian in Ethiopia or an Ethiopian in Italian territory, the local authorities
diligently kept all his property and will make available to the government to which the deceased
belonged.
Art.12. In any case or circumstance for any Italians accused of a crime will be judged by the Italian.
For this the Ethiopian authorities shall immediately deliver to the Italian authorities in Massawa
Italians accused of having committed a crime.
Also Ethiopians accused of a crime committed on Italian territory will be judged by the Ethiopian.
Art. 13. His Majesty the King of Italy and His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia undertake to
surrender to each other offenders who may have become refugees, to escape punishment, from the
domains of one on the domain of the other.
Art. 14. The slave trade being contrary to the principles of the Christian religion, His Majesty the
3
King of Kings of Ethiopia is committed to thwart it with all his power so that no caravan of slaves
can cross its Member.
Art. 15. This Treaty shall be valid throughout the Ethiopian empire.
Art.16. If in this Treaty, after five years from the date of signature, one of the two parties wanted to
introduce some modification may do so; but will prevent the other a year earlier, remaining firm and
every single concession regarding territory.
Art. 17.* His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia allows you to make use of the Government of
His Majesty the King of Italy for all business dealings he had with other powers or governments.
Art. 18. If His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia intends to grant special privileges to citizens
of a third State to establish businesses and industries in Ethiopia, will always be given, on equal
terms, preference Italians.
Art. 19. This Treaty being written in Italian to Amharic and the two versions agreeing perfectly
with each other, both texts will be considered official and will in all respects equal faith.
Art. 20. This Treaty shall be ratified.
In witness whereof the Count Pietro Antonelli, in the name of His Majesty the King of Italy, and
His Majesty the King of King Menelik of Ethiopia, in its own name, signed and affixed their seal to
this Treaty made in the camp of Uccialli 25 Miazia 1881 - corrosponding to May 2, 1889.
Imperial Seal of Ethiopia
For His Majesty the King of Italy Pietro Antonell
Ratification of MS, Monza, September 29, 1889
*Article 17 of the Amharic version said, “His Majesty the King of Kings of Ethiopia could allow
you to make use of the Government of His Majesty the King of Italy for all business dealings he
had with other powers or governments.”
