This book explores the complicated position which Abyssinia, today known by its proper name Ethiopia, occupied in the early 20th century political universe. Major Pearson’s letters provide a unique vantage point from which one can examine the interests of the major world powers in this fiercely independent country,-the only country in Africa not then under some European domination. Pearson’s observations have been integrated with official Foreign Office communications in order to provide the reader with a complete context. This book will appeal not only to scholars interested in further knowledge of Ethiopian history, but also to a wide audience of people interested in World War I. This war intersected many far-flung countries, some of which are the setting for Pearson’s letters: Egypt, Sudan, Abyssinia, French and British Somaliland.