The mission of the Russian Red Cross Society (RCC) in Abyssinia in 1896-1897 was a landmark event in the history of Russian - Ethiopian political and cultural relations, which clearly demonstrated the friendly attitude of the Russian public towards this East African country. The unselfish help provided by Russian doctors to the Abyssinian people became the key to further rapprochement between the two countries, and contributed to the development of diplomatic contacts. At the same time, the ROCC mission strengthened the positive image of Russia in Ethiopia and strengthened its influence in the region as a whole. Therefore, despite the few studies available in Russian historiography, issues related to the organization of the Red Cross mission and the attitude of the Russian public to this problem still require separate consideration.

The Italo-Abyssinian war of 1895-1896 aroused sympathy for the Abyssinian people in Russian society, aroused in the Russian people the best Christian feelings - compassion, a desire to help the weak and oppressed and provide necessary assistance to the" friendly " people of Russia. This noble impulse revealed the attitude of various strata of society to a distant East African country.

Alien to racism and ideas of white supremacy, Russian citizens from various social strata responded to the call of Russian newspapers to provide all possible assistance to the sick and wounded Abyssinians in their struggle for independence.

With the first information about the victory of the Ethiopian troops at Adua, the editorial offices of many Russian newspapers and magazines began to receive letters of congratulations to the Abyssinians and their emperor Menelik II, as well as requests from individuals to give them instructions on how and where to send funds to help the Abyssinians.

Just a few days after receiving news in Russia about the defeat of the Italian expeditionary force by Ethiopian troops of O. Baratieri 1 in the battle of Adua, a letter from a certain Russian citizen was published in one of the St. Petersburg newspapers, which stated :" In a telegram of the Russian telegraph agency from Odessa dated February 20 (1896 - S. A.), which coincided with after receiving news of the defeat of the Baratieri detachment, it is reported that the Italian colony of Odessa opened a subscription for donations in favor of the Red Cross operating in the theater of war against the Abyssinians" [AES, 1956, p.24]. The letter went on to emphasize: "In yesterday's... A telegram from London said that the defeat inflicted by the Abyssinians on the Italian troops was recognized by all as the most decisive.-

1 O. Baratieri-Commander of Italian troops in Ethiopia from 1895 to 1896.

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the worst damage that a barbaric people has ever inflicted on Europeans in recent times" [NPP, 1956, p. 24].

However, since it was not barbarians who invaded the borders of a civilized state, but, on the contrary, "barbarians defend their fatherland from civilizers at all costs," "we can hardly be mistaken in saying that these barbarians are both their way of acting and their victory... arouse sincere sympathy and concern in Russian hearts "[NPP, 1956, p. 24]. The unknown author of the letter concluded :" Perhaps even our Red Cross Society, based on considerations of humanity, would find it possible, following the example of the Italian colony in Odessa, to incur some expenses for providing assistance to wounded Abyssinians " [AES, 1956, p. 24].

By the beginning of February 1896, the editorial offices of Russian newspapers and magazines received a significant number of similar letters and telegrams, clearly indicating the prevailing mood in Russian society. From Yaroslavl, Moscow, Maloyaroslavets, Taganrog, Rostov, Kremenchug, Warsaw, Rovno, Kiev and Tambov, representatives of various Russian estates and political views sent a significant flow of financial assistance to Abyssinians [RGVIA, f. 12561, op. 1, d. 1368, l. 10-175]. The decisive initiative in organizing this aid belonged to leading Russian newspapers, which collected several thousand rubles of donations from private citizens to help the sick and wounded residents of Ethiopia. The response of the Russian authorities to the reaction of the Russian public was also not long in coming. So, already on March 15, 1896, largely under the influence of the prevailing mood in Russian society, at a meeting of the Main Directorate of the RCC, it was decided to send a sanitary detachment to Ethiopia and allocate 100 thousand rubles for this purpose from the central cash register of the Red Cross Society [RGVIA, f. 12561, op. 1, d. 1368,1373].

On March 18, 1896, the Management of the society sent letters to the Military Department, the Holy Cross Community and the Community of St. Eugene asking for the allocation of doctors, paramedics and nurses to organize an expedition to Ethiopia by the Red Cross.

As soon as the largest metropolitan and provincial newspapers and magazines announced the collection of funds for the formation of the Russian Red Cross detachment going to Ethiopia on a charity mission, a flood of applications from individuals from all over Russia poured into the Main Directorate of the ROKK with requests to enlist in the detachment.

Seven highly qualified military doctors, many paramedics, paramedics and students were selected to work in the detachment, and the necessary supplies of medicines, officer tents and equipment for the hospital were made. Major General N. K. Shvedov headed the Russian Red Cross humanitarian mission to Abyssinia, "with the permission of the august patroness of the Society... of the Empress Maria Feodorovna, appointed chief commissioner of the Society for Providing Medical and Sanitary Assistance to Belligerents in the Theater of Military Operations in Abyssinia" [RGVIA, f. 12561, d.1374, l. 16].

All the necessary preparations for the upcoming trip were completed within a few days, and already on March 25, 1896, a fully equipped detachment left St. Petersburg.

However, the journey to Ethiopia turned out to be longer than previously expected, due to the obstacles made by the Italian government to the Russian detachment. At the beginning of April 1896, the Italian side informed the Russian government about the undesirability of sending a sanitary mission to Ethiopia and banned the entry of Russian ships to Massaua. "On April 7, Adjutant-General von Kaufmann reported that the Russian ambulance detachment was not given permission to pass through Massova to the territory of Mene-

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public opinion in Italy is hostile to this" [Moskovskiye Vedomosti, 1896, No. 98, p. 2].

Simultaneously with the actions of the Rome cabinet, the Italian press made sharply negative statements about the Russian sanitary detachment. "Tribuna and Populo Romano blame the government for allowing a Russian ambulance squad to enter Abyssinia. According to these newspapers, under the guise of a medical detachment, the Russians send generals and officers to Abyssinia, who are supposed to take command of the Abyssinian troops and direct their actions against Italy" [Moskovskie Vedomosti, 1896, N 101, p.3].

Pointing out the absurdity of such a judgment, the journalist bitterly noted: "... other organs of Krispy2 support this opinion, although its absurdity is obvious, because if Russia wanted to send instructors to Abyssinia, it could have done it differently " [Moskovskie Vedomosti, 1896, N 101, p. 3].

Not wanting diplomatic complications with Italy, the route of the detachment was changed - General N. K. Shvedov and his companions sailed from Alexandria and safely arrived in Djibouti on April 18, 1896.

While the final preparations were being made for the caravan to move to Harrar, " ... the state of affairs caused the need to send ahead... an energetic confidant, and in view of the rapidly approaching rainy season, one of the main conditions for successful execution of the assignment was the possible speed of movement" [Krindach, 1898, p.12]. According to the baron, " to fulfill this difficult and... far from safe assignment, the hunter cornet A. K. Bulatovich volunteered, arousing a wide variety of rumors... concerning the outcome of a journey so unusual for a European" [Krindach, 1898, pp. 12-13].

The chief commissioner of the Red Cross detachment, N. K. Shvedov, who took full responsibility for the organization and possible consequences of Bulatovich's mission, reported to Adjutant General M. P. Kaufman: "...Mr. Bulatovich's trip will undoubtedly move our business forward, and most importantly, he will immediately... will be engaged in the formation of transportation facilities to Entoto" [RGVIA, f. 12651, op. 3, d. 153, l. 27].

On the evening of April 21, 1896, having captured the minimum amount of supplies, a Russian officer, accompanied by two guides, left Djibouti in the direction of Harrar. The cornet made a huge journey to the city - a distance of over 350 versts-with a speed unprecedented for a European, which made a truly indelible impression on the Abyssinians.

The mission of A. K. Bulatovich was crowned with complete success, allowing the ROKK sanitary detachment to start moving to Harrar, the path to which and further to Entoto, however, was also fraught with numerous difficulties that fell to the lot of the entire sanitary detachment. "After a hard journey (about 400 versts) through a waterless desert," von Kaufmann reported , "in unusually hot temperatures, and almost all the personnel of the detachment were ill, the ambulance detachment managed to arrive in Harrar on May 15," where it was solemnly greeted by gerazmach? Bantier [AVPRI, F. 151, D. 2015, l. 3].

Immediately upon the arrival of the detachment, a hospital for the reception of patients, consisting of three departments, was immediately deployed in the city.

The beginning of the successful operation of the hospital in Harrar was largely due to the personal interest of the negus4

2 F. Crispi - Prime Minister of Italy from 1887 to 1896. Advocate of active colonial expansion in relation to Ethiopia in 1895-1896.

Gerazmach is one of the highest Ethiopian military ranks, literally - "commander of the left flank".

Negus-4th Emperor of Ethiopia, "king of kings".

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Menelik ras5 Makkonen, who met with him on June 20 [AWPRI, f. 151, d. 2015, l. 3]. "Ras conveyed to the commissioner - in - chief the Negus' desire to see the detachment as soon as possible in Entoto, "von Kaufmann's report to the Foreign Minister said," and at the same time asked that part of the detachment be left in Harrar for further training." wounded and sick, of which he has up to 15 thousand people" [AVPRI, f. 151, D. 2015, l. 4]. Makkonen's wish was readily fulfilled by N. K. Shvedov, because, as General von Kaufmann noted,"...the beginning of sanitary activities in Harrar developed rapidly: a lot of patients began to come to the outpatient clinic of the Red Cross, and the population reacted to the activities of the Red Cross with obvious trust and gratitude" [AVPRI, f. 151, d.2015, l. 4].

According to one of the members of the team, Dr. D. Glinsky, by the end of June, the outpatient clinic was already full of patients. The popularity of the Russian hospital among the local population was already so great in the first days of operation that all three departments were soon overcrowded, "he said...the reception was held simultaneously in three departments, we were so overwhelmed with work that we could hardly satisfy our patients, working without a break from 8 am to 1 pm and from 3 to 7 pm, " D. Glinsky recalled [Glinsky, 1899, p. 19].

At the same time, the surgical outpatient clinic was always the most crowded. "Long before the gate of our yard was opened, our patients were crowding the street, and they would rush into the yard in a thick crowd as soon as the gate was opened," a Russian doctor described the first days of operation of the hospital in Harrar [ibid.].

The unbearably hot climate and lack of knowledge of local languages and customs further worsened the difficult working conditions of Russian doctors and orderlies who had practically no rest. But busy all day with their patients, the members of the detachment had, in the words of D. Glinsky, "their own special joys" [Glinsky, p. 19]. "Us... we could not but rejoice at the obvious success of our activities for the benefit of a rich land of all sorts of ailments, which for centuries developed both with the help of climate and with the help of wild customs... and accidental circumstances... " [Glinsky, p. 19].

Continuing his story about the life of the detachment, the Russian doctor noted:: "We were pleased with the heartfelt gratitude of those to whom we could be useful, and we especially appreciated the attention of Ras Makkonen, who was very interested in our activities and personally sent us his sick and wounded" [Glinsky, p. 24].

However, the final destination - the Negus residence in Entoto - was still not reached. In addition, the approach of the rainy season "threatened serious difficulties on the way, and perhaps even the inability to make it...", - said in the report of von Kaufmann [AVPRI, f. 151, op. 482, d. 2015, l. 16]. In order to move forward as quickly as possible and supply the detachment with all the necessary equipment, the chief authorized officer of the detachment, General N. K. Shvedov, was immediately sent to Entoto by the same A. K. Bulatovich, who brilliantly coped with this task. "A. K. Bulatovich made a huge journey from Harrar to Entoto, about 700 versts," von Kaufmann testified, "despite the difficulties on the way, in 8 days" [ibid., l. 4]. Permission for an early arrival in the capital was obtained, and already on June 18, the detachment set out from Harrar.

Unusual climatic conditions for Europeans created many difficulties on the way. According to von Kaufmann, the rivers "in some places reached such a flood that with the continuation of the rainy period, they will become completely impassable" [ibid., l. 5].

Finally, having overcome the obstacles and hardships of the campaign and coped with the distrust of some races, who at first were extremely cautious about the "whites".-

Ras is a military feudal title in imperial Ethiopia, prince.

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On June 24, the squad arrived at the Negus Entoto residence, where they were treated with great respect. "The meeting of our detachment was solemn," Kaufman's report said, " the entire detachment was received by the Negus in a solemn audience in the Palace. The Negus expressed his pleasure... and a deep appreciation for sending a detachment, whose help the people really needed" [ibid., l. 6].

Upon arrival, the detachment set up a tent infirmary, which included an outpatient clinic, a" surgical hall"," halls " for receiving permanent patients and for the ambulance squad, and began to provide assistance to the wounded. On August 7, according to the testimony of hospital doctors, set out in a letter to the chief military medical inspector A. A. Remmert, two hospital pavilions were opened, each consisting of three officer tents [RGVIA, f. 546, op. 1, d. 153, l. 172]. The hospital admitted patients who exclusively required "serious surgical intervention", who, at the first opportunity, " ... were discharged for the end of treatment in an outpatient clinic, so that... provide benefits to the largest number of patients requiring surgery" [ibid.]. A "special operating room consisting of two officers 'tents equipped with everything necessary" was also organized [ibid.].

Doctors in the report to A. A. Remmert noted:: "As the charitable and disinterested significance of the unit's activities gradually became clear, the influx of patients increased." At the same time, the "disposition to the detachment of both the population and the Negus itself" also became more and more pronounced [AVPRI, f. 151, op. 482, d.2015, l. 6].

Visiting various outpatient clinics and hospitals of the sanitary detachment, Menelik repeatedly "expressed his pleasure at the disinterested help provided to patients" and claimed that now he "clearly sees Russia's disinterested friendship for Abyssinia, remaining unchanged in his noble feelings for Russia" [ibid., l. 7]. Therefore, soon both Negus himself and his wife, Empress Taitu, and after them the highest dignitaries of the Ethiopian Empire, began to be constantly treated by Russian doctors.

The successful work of the Russian sanitary detachment in Ethiopia and the huge popularity of Russian doctors among the local population caused another flurry of indignation in the Italian press and contradictory publications in English in connection with the strengthening of Russian influence in the region. Noting the growing discontent of the Italian press, the Russian magazine "Citizen", referring to publications in the English newspaper "Temps", bitterly noted in November 1896: "Italian newspapers publish all sorts of insinuations about the Russian sanitary detachment, but all this news is devoid of any foundation. They say that the Russian ambulance squad has nothing to do, because there are no sick people. But this, according to the Temps correspondent, is a complete lie, because there is no end of patients " [Citizen, 1896, p. 14].

To refute the false arguments of Italian journalists, the author of the article quotes the conclusion of a Temps correspondent: "I personally made sure that the case of the Russian sanitary mission is honorable and quite useful" [ibid.].

Most English newspapers and magazines also kept up with the Italian press. Outraged by the growing anti-Russian sentiment in the English press, the Moskovskiye Vedomosti newspaper noted in April 1896: "The English newspapers are very insinuating about the Russian sanitary detachment, attributing to it purely political goals. The Globe claims that officers are being sent under the guise of doctors, and that Russia has long been scheming in Abyssinia, covering up its intrigues with either scientific or religious goals, but in reality sending instructors to Menelik" [Moskovskiye Vedomosti, 1896, N, p. 4]. According to the author, these insinuations "... were so absurd and obvious that even Independence Beige laughs at the suspicion of the British " [ibid.].

However, despite all the hardships and hardships, and ignoring the defamation of the foreign press, the ROKK unit successfully continued its mission in Abyssinia. Behind

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during the short period of activity of the sanitary detachment, Russian doctors provided medical care to more than 30 thousand patients from among Ethiopian soldiers and civilians.

"...In addition to its general civilizing significance, which is recognized by all, the ROKK sanitary detachment in Abyssinia brilliantly fulfilled its role and left a full foundation for the development of national medical care to the people under the flag of the new Red Cross, " Lieutenant General N. K. Shvedov, the chief commissioner of the Red Cross detachment, described the activities of the ROKK detachment in his report to the Main Medical Directorate [AVPRI, f. 151, op. 482, d. 2015, l. 8].

To provide assistance to the Abyssinians in need, the detachment was supposed to leave Entoto for Russia on October 8 [AVPRI, f. 151, op. 482, d. 2015, l. 8; RGVIA, f. 12561, op. 2, d. 48]. However, at the diligent insistence of the negus, the commander of the detachment, General N. K. Shvedov, decided to leave for three months to provide medical care to the Abyssinians a small sanitary group consisting of several doctors, which " ... wanted to include: Doctor Ruzevich, doctor's assistants Shchusev and class paramedic Sasson "[ibid., l. 8]. Giving a high assessment of the group's activities in Abyssinia in a letter to A. A. Remmert dated January 8, 1897, Dr. B. A. Rodzevich noted:"...it was really necessary to leave the detachment here for an extra three months. Without hypocrisy and exaggeration, we can say that the results of our operations were brilliant and our patients, leaving the hospital, did not bless the Lord and us in vain... "[RGVIA, f. 546, op. 1, d. 255, l. 131].

At the appointed time for departure, leaving all the tents and surgical instruments necessary for the outpatient clinic, finishing the last preparations and raising the Abyssinian flag with the sign of the Red Cross over the hospital, the ambulance squad solemnly left for Russia.

Speaking highly of the activities of the ambulance detachment in Harrar and Entoto, which overcame numerous difficulties, Adjutant General von Kaufmann reported to N. P. Shishkin on December 15, 1896: "The valiant and difficult feat performed by the detachment today, which required the highest degree of self-sacrifice on its part, will undoubtedly be useful both from the general humanity and from the Russian point of view vision" [AVPRI, f. 149, op. 502(6), d. 5086, l. 1]. According to Kaufman, the promotion of this feat, which established the prestige of the "Russian name" in Abyssinia, was a matter of justice and required the early awarding of the commander of the detachment, General N. K. Shvedov, and "other members of the expedition outside the rules" [ibid., l. 2].

"...I have the honor to apply for the award... The chief of the expedition, Major General N. K. Shvedov, was awarded the Order of St. Anna, First class, out of the order of gradualism. As for the other members of the expedition, I request the permission of the supreme Sovereign of the Emperor to grant them a reward also outside the rules, upon witnessing to me their merits as the chief commissioner of the sanitary detachment, " Adjutant General M. P. von Kaufmann said in the petition. Soon the general's request for the award took effect, and already at the end of December, upon the arrival of the detachment in Russia, "The Emperor, according to von Kaufmann, was most pleased to award him (Shvedov-S. A.) with the Order of St. Stanislaus I degree" [ibid., l. 3]. The mission of the Russian ambulance detachment in Ethiopia was brilliantly completed.

However, the highest award for Russian doctors was the assessment of their skills and professionalism, given later by the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik, who wrote about the activities of the detachment: "Ethiopia will never forget this help... The knowledge, cordiality and energy with which the ambulance team worked, the benefits they brought to the country, will forever leave gratitude and memories in the history of Ethiopia... Transfer of the Russian Red Cross hospital and abandonment of the sanitary department

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the detachments in Addis Ababa provide an opportunity to establish the Ethiopian Red Cross and thereby perform a great humane deed together with the Russians and thanks to them " [Dyachkova, 1966, p. 25].

The completion of the ROKC charity mission had another equally important consequence. In mid-March 1897, after the return of the remaining Russian doctors under Dr. Ruzevich from Ethiopia to provide medical care, it became known in St. Petersburg that five young Abyssinians had arrived with them, sent by the Negus to study in Russia.

On March 18, 1897, M. von Kaufmann reported on this matter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count M. N. Muravyov: "Together with the detachment, five young Abyssinians are going to Russia, at the request of Negus Menelik, to receive a professional primary education" [AVPRI, f. 149, op. 502 (6), d. 4895, l. 2]. The note continued with the request:: "Since the negus' assignment to Dr. Ruzevich was not related to the direct activities of the ROKC, I will allow myself to ask... do not refuse possible assistance in arranging these young Abyssinians in Russia and in telling them what to do with them upon arrival " [ibid., l. 2].

In a letter addressed to the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by ROKK to the sick and wounded residents of Abyssinia. He informed the Russian tsar about the desire of the Abyssinian authorities "... to send five young people to Russia, so that they would receive an education there, learn medicine and other sciences, and then return to their homeland to bring medical care and train the people " [ibid., l. 23].

The issue of training Abyssinians in Russian medical and military music schools has repeatedly been the subject of special consideration by the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire. In the summer of 1898, in response to the Negus ' request for admission of Abyssinians to Russian educational institutions, the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Ethiopia, P. M. Vlasov, informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count M. N. Muravyov: "A representative of the Emperor Menelik asked me to recommend to the imperial government the two Galla boys he was sending to Russia for education.6 This request means placing the boys at the expense of our government in one of the military music schools... to learn how to play wind instruments, so that later they can conduct a brass band" [ibid., l. 24]. In conclusion, the diplomat asked to " honor him with a notification of what should be done on this request."

Returning to the solution of this issue in the autumn of 1898, the Russian Foreign Ministry received the following response from the Minister of War A. N. Kuropatkin: "As a result of a letter from Count V. N. Lamsdorff dated October 27 of this year regarding the placement of two gallas boys in one of the military music schools in Russia, I have the honor to inform you that such schools in the military the department does not know why I do not have the opportunity to fulfill the negus 'wish" [AVPRI, f. 149, op. 502(6), d.4896, l. 7]. The note also stated: "... they could, if necessary, get a secondary scientific education in one of the cadet corps, where, among other subjects, they could also be taught the basics of music... "[ibid., l. 7]. Despite similar difficulties on the part of the War Ministry, young Abyssinians were able to study in Russia with the 84th Shirvan Regiment. According to the diplomatic representative in Ethiopia P. M. Vlasov, they "were then identified as muses."-

Gallas 6-representatives of one of the nomadic tribes inhabiting Abyssinia. From among them, the Ethiopian cavalry was formed, which was the main force of the Amharic army.

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a local choir attached to the named regiment and spent five years there" [AVPRI, f. 151, op. 482, d. 1998, l. 91].

The future translator at the Russian mission in Addis Ababa, Ato Geno, who studied at the St. Petersburg Vocational School, as well as the Abyssinians Gezau and Danye, who entered the training at the paramedic school, also received education in Russia [ibid., p. 91]. After completing the course of training in Russian military and medical schools, the Abyssinians were sent home, taking with them the warmest feelings for Russia and its people.

Thus, the successful completion of the humanitarian mission of the RCC contributed to the emergence of active social and cultural ties between the two countries, which were manifested in the organization of training of Abyssinians in Russia.

The Russian public's provision of real humanitarian aid to Ethiopia during one of the most difficult and critical periods in its history, as well as the selfless and disinterested work of Russian doctors who were distinguished by high moral qualities and professionalism, aroused sincere sympathy and special trust of the Abyssinian people in Russia and the Russians. This became the key to the further development and strengthening of Russian-Ethiopian public and diplomatic relations, defining their special dynamics and depth during the post-war decade for Ethiopia (1896-1906).

list of literature

Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire (AVPRI).

Afrikanskii etnograficheskii sbornik (AES) [An African Ethnographic Collection (AES)], ed. by D. A. Olderogge, Moscow, 1956. Glinsky D. Life of the Russian sanitary detachment in Harrar. Grodno, 1899. Citizen, St. Petersburg, 1896, No. 82.

Dyachkova M. Moscow Khakims in Ethiopia // Soviet Red Cross, Moscow, 1966, No. 3.

Egorysheva I. V., Sinitsina K. F. Pomoshchie Rossiiskogo Obshchestva Krasnogo Kresta naru Efii (1896-1897 gg.) [Assistance of the Russian Red Cross Society to the people of Ethiopia (1896-1897)].

Krindach F. E. Russkiy kavalerist v Abyssinii [Russian Cavalryman in Abyssinia]. St. Petersburg, 1898. Moskovskie Vedomosti, Moscow, 1896.

Russian State Military Historical Archive (RGVIA).

Fokina E. P. The first Russian doctors in Ethiopia // Sovetskoe zdravookhranenie [Soviet Healthcare], Moscow, 1967, No. 1.

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