European powers pre-arranged spheres in case Ethiopia’s government collapsed
Evidence
The purpose of this document was to provide the three powers with instruments which would safeguard their various positions and ambitions in the event of a collapse of the Ethiopian government – something that was considered as a distinct possibility since the Emperor Menelik was ailing. In the official Italian interpretation, the agreement – which naturally alarmed Ethiopia – accorded to Italy a sphere of influence in southern Ethiopia, and the right of armed intervention in the event of a politico-territorial change affecting the integrity of a bordering state (e.g. Somalia or Eritrea). — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 255