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note this work has been typed from the original booklet which was translated
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otherwise left the text unchanged.
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Empress
Menen
The wife to His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie I
King of Kings of Ethiopia
Memorial for Empress Menen Asfaw’s Birth Day
Written by Yared Gebre Michael
25 March 1950 E.C. Addis Ababa
Translated by Adane Wondie Gebru (Addis Ababa University)
Continued from previous page
"In April 30, 1924 Ethiopian King of government crown prince Prince 'Mered Azmach Asfawosen married legally with princess Wolete Israel.
In Nov. 11, 1925 she constructed St. Hana Church at Furi on her estate. She gave a lot of acres of land to priests and deacons of the church. Empress Menen also gave urban land for the residents.
In Sept. 6, 1926 Empress Menen went to sacred land Jerusalem for the 2nd time. After she visited different Churches and monasteries constructed St. Trinity church for Ethiopians on her account. She donated a lot of money for the monastery & clergymen and inaugurated the church.
In Oct. 2, 1926 she completed her visit of Jerusalem and came back to Addis Ababa. In May 19, 1926 Empress Menen went to Harar to visit & inaugurate prince's Mekonnen the Duke of Harar of his being the head prince of Harar.
In 1928 Fascist Italy was prepared to invade Ethiopia. Empress Menen gathered Ethiopian ladies preparing logistic support, first aid materials and sent to the battle field. She had done her best up to the end.
Empress Menen disclosed the aggression to World women Association and appealed to all world nation states. Sept. 13, 1928.
Empress Menen's Speech
"I am pleased to present my speech to all world women.
When Italy conquered our people and country the world women Association supported us to settle peace and freedom. We are very happy to express our deep feeling for the association.
When I am speaking now in order to be understood to all countries my daughter princess Tsehaye translated my speech into English language.
Princess Tsehaye made speech as follows. During this time Italy conquered us difficulty unjustly and world women should hear their voice.
Even though world women are living in different countries with different climate, all women are interrelated with the same will and objectives.War is distress and trouble of mankind, all world women are in different countries, different race, religion the act of violence and war victimized their husbands, brothers and children. War is a destruction of the family and can make people immigrant. So women are against war.
We know that all Italian mothers and barren women may worry about the war, since war is good for nothing. Therefore, all women found in the world should prevent the war before it brings trouble and distress. They should collaborate their voice and request to avoid the war before the bloodshed comes on both sides.
Ethiopia do not think to act the violence conflict, here wish is to maintain peace. Ethiopia tried to settle the conflict peacefully in early months. In every aspect Ethiopia has done here best. So we are mentally free.
Ethiopian people welcomed any foreigners, guests who came to work peacefully and innocently, Ethiopian people good hospitality to foreigners has been narrated in the history of the world. However, one state is which is neighbor to Ethiopia is trying to control and govern. Ethiopia is always on the line of peace, while the rival state is looking only its own interest.
The enemy deployed its army and based around our country to kill our women's husbands, children, brothers. Our people live working peacefully being God fearing but the enemy is trying to devastate the wealth of the country and destroy our family in the name of modernization.
We pray to God not to face such kind of distress and destruction if the so called modernization brings a big trouble.Hence, the association which is established for the purpose of peace by world women may exert influence to bring peace and stability. We don't hesitate that world women Association may contribute a lot to settle this conflict peacefully.
We pray to god that the Association to accomplish its mission. We hope the act of the Association may bring fruitful result to preserve peace and security in our country.
Nonetheless, if the war is started, we women should treat wounded soldiers and minimize the trouble of the war.
Women who are living all over the world who stand for peace may help us during the war time. We know that these women assist the sacrificed patriot's family.
All women of the world should struggle to bring peace and justice. Government officials may guided on the line of God, we pray for this and you may collaborate with us."In Nov. 18 1928 His Imperial Majesty King of Kings Haile Sellassie I went to the north battle field Empress Menen stayed in Addis Ababa and prepared logistics and sent to the battle field. When the enemy's plane bombed civilians she advised the people to take care. During planes bombed she traveled by car in the city to advice and encourage the people with courage. In addition to this she has been praying waged spiritual war against the enemy.
In April 28, 1928 the Maichew battle field was bombed and devastated by Italian army, Majesty King of Kings came back to the capital city to give the guide instruction for the rest of the people. Then he went abroad in order to appeal to the League of Nations. Empress Menen also went to Europe with him to assist through advice and constructive idea.
From 1928 -1933 (1936 - 1941) they stayed in England in exile. During those trouble years they were praying day and night. They were felt deep sorrow for the people since the enemy conquered Ethiopia. Empress Menen stayed with king of kings Majesty Haile Sellassie as an advisor. In 1933 (1941) she has seen the rise of Ethiopia.
In Feb. 12, 1929 the Fascist Italian army led by Graziani' killed children old women and men. When she heard this news she was felt deep sorrow for the massacred people. she sobbed and pray to God for this inhuman act.
In April 27, 1933 (May 5th 1941) His Imperial Majesty King of Kings Haile Sellassie I when he reached the capital city with victory she transferred the following telegram message to His Imperial Majesty.
Telegram
I have received a Telegram your Majesty is victorious and entered in the capital, your family extends congratulations with great pleasure "I extend my greetings to Prince Crown Mekonnen"After the invader army evacuated from Addis Ababa in Aug. 23, 1933 Empress Menen returned back hoe by extra ordinary aeroplane with here beloved daughter princess Tsehay. This time Majesty King of Kings received them at the airport. The residents of Addis Ababa also received them with deep happiness.
In 1934 Empress Menen went to Wollo province and made speech through princess Tsehay the following advice.
The Speech of Empress Menen My country's ladies and gentlemen
"First of all I would like to thank the Almighty Lord for which our flag is replaced. Our patriots came back with a victory staying in the bush for 5 years.
Secondly, any human being may have a great pleasure when he or she join with his/her birth place. With grace of God I was eager to see my native place Wollo. I am very happy as I am with you after 31 years.
"Next I am very grateful for the people who received me with great pleasure.
"All of you know that this naturally gifted country which is green and different from any African countries has never been under colony and has been ruled only by its own kings.
"After many trials Italy made propaganda warfare since she can't controlled before. Through this campaign tried to dismiss our unity and divide our people.
"Is there anybody who did not miss his relative during the war? Some of our citizens were killed by hoes, spade and machine guns.
"God made it possible that Ethiopia won its enemy quickly. We, the citizens children feel proud when we see our country freed from any aggression and we are very thankful to Almighty God.
"Ethiopian people have got a good lesson from the past experience which enable us to cooperate as one mother's children love each other. This made every Ethiopian to struggle for the country's independence and freedom."You have seen that people without freedom is victim as this was seen during 5 years aggression. Indeed our people did not hate native rulers as far as they keep the language, custom and tradition of the people. But Italians tried to rule in a subtle way. During the aggression even though the enemy killed our people, patriots went to the bush and some went abroad in exile. This situation surprised the world.
"My native ladies and gentle men of Wollo our country has been free since 3000 years back. However through the help of England and fierce struggle of its children, we freed our country, the flag and king for our common motherland Ethiopia. We have to be one and united.
"The prince crown is selected and came up from you, our beloved son prince Meried Azmach Asfa Wosen is with you. Even though I was separated for 31 years [physically it is impossible to say that I was living alienated my self from you. I was with you spiritually.
" Our beloved son is your governor. I believe you may be very happy when I tell you this information. "You may service him loyally adn kindly on the other hand he may share your problem and help you. He may administer you through good Justice - Please, give him advice nad assist him any time.
"Let Good keep our fertile country. Let God make it possible long live to our flag." Here she completed her speech. At this time ladies & gentlemen of Wollo event children touched their heart with great happiness by her speech.
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