Summary
This collection of royal decrees and proclamations by Henry VIII of England is presented alongside unrelated encyclopedia entries, including a detailed account of Abyssinian (Ethiopian) history and the "Alabama" claims arbitration rules. The central argument of the Abyssinian section is that the country's history is "one gloomy record of internecine wars, barbaric deeds and unstable governments," where the title of *negūs negusti* (king of kings) was theoretically based on descent from Solomon and the Queen of Sheba but practically achieved through military force. The text explains that Abyssinia was a "conglomeration of provinces" (Tigré, Amhara, Shoa) loosely connected and often at war, with the ruler of Amhara exacting tribute when possible. The "Alabama" claims section outlines three rules of neutrality for governments, including using "due diligence" to prevent the fitting out of warships in their ports. A reader takes away a specific understanding of Abyssinian political fragmentation and the legal principles of neutral obligations in maritime warfare.
Key concepts
- Negūs negusti — The title "king of kings" or emperor of Abyssinia, claimed through descent from Solomon and the Queen of Sheba but often won by force of arms.
- Tigré, Amhara, Shoa — The three chief provinces of Abyssinia, with Amhara typically holding the seat of overlordship.
- "Alabama" claims — Disputes between the U.S. and Britain over damages caused by British-built Confederate warships, submitted to arbitration after agreeing on neutrality rules.
- Due diligence — The obligation of a neutral government to prevent the fitting out, arming, or equipping of vessels intended for war against a belligerent power.
- Rule of the shorter term — A copyright principle applied to this work, where foreign works may be public domain in countries with shorter copyright terms.
From the book
For other versions of this work, see Encyclopædia Britannica . ← 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica ( 1911 ) Title page → related portals : Reference Works Shortcut : EB11 or EB1911 Notes on reading the Wikisource edition . A special disclaimer for this project . Collaboration page for contributors . 12543 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica 1911 Table of contents This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1931. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works . Public domain Public domain false false← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on…
He is commonly known as Rab.← Abbadie, Jakob 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Abbahu Abba Mari → See also Abbahu on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 12925 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Abbahu ʼABBAHU, the name of a Palestinian ʼamora ( q.v. ) who flourished c . 279–320. ʼAbbahu encouraged the study of Greek by Jews. He was famous as a collector of traditional lore, and is very often cited in the Talmud.
He was author of Quaestiones ( Sheiltoth ), a collection of homilies (at once learned and popular) on Jewish law and ethics. This is recorded to have been the first work written by a Jewish scholar after the completion of the Talmud.← Alphabet 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Al-phasi, Isaac Alphege, Saint → See also Isaac Alfasi on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 1202415 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Al-phasi, Isaac ’AL-PHASI, ISAAC (1013–1103), Jewish rabbi and codifier, known as Riph , was born near Fez in 1013 and died at Lucena in 1103. ’Al-Phasi means the “man of Fez” (medieval Jews were often named after their birthplaces). He was forced to leave Fez when an old man of 75, being accused on some unknown political charge. He then…
Popular questions readers ask
- The British government declared neutrality yet recognized the Confederates as belligerents. Explain the crucial difference between these two declarations from an international law perspective and articulate how recognizing belligerency, in this context, could complicate true neutrality.
- The "Alabama" was "obviously intended for a man-of-war" and built in a neutral British port. Trace the sequence of events regarding the vessel's construction and subsequent British legal advice, and explain what specific international legal obligations or ethical considerations might have been violated by its continued construction or delayed detention.
- The text emphasizes arbitration as a means of averting war. Given the events surrounding the "Alabama," how might the situation have escalated between the United States and Great Britain if arbitration had not ultimately been pursued, and what makes this case such a significant example of its value?
- Consider the challenge faced by the British government upon receiving evidence about the "Alabama"'s true purpose. What specific duties did they have under international law at that moment, and what were the potential long-term diplomatic and legal consequences of failing to act decisively?
- How does the specific narrative of the "Alabama" vessel and the British response illuminate the broader complexities and tensions involved in maintaining neutrality and international law during a major global conflict like the American Civil War, as implied by the details of blockade-running and arms procurement?