The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-05

ROME. March I.-The kingdom OF
Italy to-day is in a condition of excite
msn,. grief and anger almost beyond
description. Words cannot adequately
portray the situation, for every dis
patch received from Massowah adds to
the gravity of the disaster to the Italian
arms at Adowa, Abyssinia-
When the first news Of Gen. Bara-
tIerf's defeat reached this city report
had 1t that only 500 men were killed;
then, yesterday afternoon. the numbers
r1n up to 5000 killed with sixty pieces
Of artillery captured, and this morn
InE's dispatches place the number OF
Italians killed at the battle OF Adown,
and in the long. .harassing retreat which
followed at 5000. and It Is believed that
not even these figures tell OF the full
extent OF the disaster. In these re-
ports no mention Is made OF the wound
el and there Is good reason. based on
stories OF recent italian defeats by the
AbySsinians, that those who fell wound
Cd during the retreat Of over hfty miles
met more horrible fate than those
who were killed on the spot
Throughout the night the garrison
here was kept under arms and mounted
patrols traVersed the principal streets.
The masses, however. do not seem to
have retired to rest. The streets were
filed with people until day break, and.
after early morning every public place
was crowded with excited men and wo-
men. A number OF disturbances which
have called for police interference have
occurred to-day, the indications are
that people are assuming a most
threatening attitude not only in Rome,
but throughout Italy.
Popular Demonstration.
Demonstrations against the Crispi
ministry and even against the crown
are reported from a number Of towns
In the provinces. In spite of the fact
that the authorities are straining every
nerve TO suppress all alarming news.
Il rs said that the government was
aware on Tuesday OF the full extent OF
the defeat Indicted the Italians,
but It was Judged 10 be dangerous to
allow the startling information to
reach the public suddenly, und SO first
the report OF the defeat was permitted
10 leak out; then the war office OH
cials allowed II TO be ''rumored' that
100 men were killed; after this came
the report that 1900 soldiers had fallen
and now Il Is admitted" that 5000 ItHl-
ian troops were slain, I'm addition to Sc
we're loss among the native troops SER
wing under the flag OF Italy. Under
these circumstances, II Is not aston
ishIng that the widest kind OF rumors
are In circulation and that In some Ot
the clubs the number OF killed and
wounded Is placed at 10000. Exngger-
a;ed as these figures mny turn out TO
he. they show the state OF the public
mind here.
An fetes have been Indefinitely post
poEed, masses for the repose OF the
souls Of the dead have been Celebrated
this morning In every Catholic church
In this city and crowds OF weeping wo-
men and sorrowinG men were In at
tendance. The receptions. etc. In eel.
ebration Of coronation anniversary OF
the pope have been dispensed with.
Rome. in n word, In to-day city
Of mourning md OF sullen anger ready
TO breuli out into fierce, open resent
ment. The government and the mill
itary authorities are charged with gross
mismaHagement OF the Abyssinlan
campaign, and great Indignation Is
expressed against the newspapers
which have been GORdlng Gen. Baril-
teri Into action by tauntlng him with
his Inactivity.
The Awful Carnage.
It is also said now that the italian
commander was led into a trap skill
fully bal,cd by the report which was
allowed to reach him that a number
Of the Important chiefs of the shoans.
attended by n portion OF the shoan
army. were attending the coronation of
King Segus, at Axun, and that, hoping
,o surprise those who remained behind,
General Baratlerl ordered Generals Al-
bcr,Hnc, ArImondl and Dabormida TO
attack the enemy. Tho latter. II np-
pcarg, pretended to F'Ctsent before the
Italians advance until the trOonE were
well within the passes Lending 20
Ahpwa, the capitol OF TlEre. Then the
Sc"nc changed. The Shonns, armed
with the improved French military
rNer II Is claimed, and supported by
modern artillery. directed by French
lrtlllerymen, advanced upon the ltal-
ians IN overwhelming strength. while
the apparently deserted passes became
al!v" with natives ~ho hurled rocks
down upon the trapped soldlers. while
the others kept up a terrible we'll direct
oN iirr upon the troops. URly rtimor
adds that the Italians broke and He'd
after making a gallant stand and seeing
ih1ugunda OF their number shot down
or crushed 20 death.
Then. IL lB added. began tho most GlB-
artrDuS defeat In the history OF African
warfare. the triumphant Shoans press
Ing on after the dlsorEaniZed Holdl0rH,
cutting them down In grent numbers In
spite n repeated formations OF squares,
The troops. IN these stands, are said to
have behaved with the grentest gal
laHtry, but nll the reserve ammunition
wnR captured and all the italian pro-
Visions and artillery fell into the bands
~ the enemy The result wan that q
number Of the Italian detnchmcnts hhl
only their bayonets with which 20 ic.
defend Themselves, and II IL feared only
small portion of the italian force sent
against the Shoans reached Asmorn IN
safety.
Hnttnsr RlrlirIDcui.
Tho opposition party and socialiFin
H" taking advantage N the situation.
The hitter. especially. are very bittcr
against thC government.
Lator In tho day tho news from the
provinces bccam" moro alarming II
"as stated that In number Of places
il" police have been unable tn COPE
Win the popul1cc and that the troops
have been called upon 70 rcstoro order.
The soldiers, however, appear % have
been as helpless nB the police, and In
several places the crowdB have been