under crispi's rule, italy signed the treaty of wuchale; it was a deal reached by king menelik ii of shewa, later the emperor of ethiopia with count pietro antonelli in the town of wuchale, on 2 may 1889. the treaty stated that the regions of bogos, hamasien, akkele guzay, and serae were part of the italian colony of eritrea and is the origin of the italian colony and modern state of eritrea. per the treaty, italy promised financial assistance and military supplies.