The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-05-02
oUARRELs CAUSED DEFEIr.
General Baratieri Partly Exonerated for
 the Abyssinian Disaster.

General Baratierf Partly Exonerated for
 the Abyssinian Disaster.
 (From the London Tabet.l
 The painful impression caused by the disaster has been intensified by the publication in the "Gazetta di yenezia' of letters written from the seat of war by Signor Macola, member of the Chamber of Deputies and editor of that journal. His revelations turn in the first instance on the mutual antago- nism which he found to exist between the two chief military leaders, General Baratieri and his lieutenant, General Arimondi. The latter habitually ex- pressed himself at Massowah in the most unbecoming fashion in regard to his superior, and his friends and sup porters at that port declared that the detachment under Major Toselli was sacrificed to the commanderin-ch chiefs l jealousy of his subordinate, to whom he refused permission to go to it's relief
 Signor Macola having made searching inquiry into the truth of these reports, publishes what he vouches to be the true history of the campaign, showing the responsibility of the government for it's conduct. General Baratieri, ac- cording to this version, laid before them as early as March, 1895, his belief that war with Shoa was inevitable, and his plan, by negotiations actually on foot with Makonnen, of detaching from that Kingdom the King of Gojam and some of the chiefs of Tigre, so as to create three vassal kingdoms under the Italian protectorate, receiving Italian residents at their courts on the Anglo Indian system.
 The government, divided as to it's Af- rican policy, delayed in authorizing the necessary grant, and only when the general arrived in Italy himself after twice threatening to resign, could he obtain from the minister of war a promise of seven hundred men and five hundred mules. Even after this partial concession the conclusion of the alli- ances was still further retarded by sundry unforeseen accidents, until Menelek's declaration of war precipita- ted matters, and compelled his Vassals to ward off the suspicion of treason by taking sides with him. The necessity for an immediate concentration of the Italian troops then became apparent, and Makalleh was fixed on by General Baratieri as the point of reunion. Orr ders were sent to recall the column of Major Toselli, which had effected it's object of reconnoitring the enemy, but they either did not reach General Ari- mondi in time, or he failed to send them on with sufficient promptitude, leaving the responsibility for the fatal result between the rival commanders. The force of fourteen hundred men, which was all General Arimondi had at his disposal, was not sufficient to eff feet the relief of the advanced column in face of the overwhelming numerical tempt would probably have served only to involve him in it's fate.
 The outcome of Signor Macola's in- quiries, while thus justifying General Baratieri from the charges freely made against him, is to reveal fatal want of accord between him and his subordl- nate and an incompetence on the part Of the government which makes them the helpless sport of circumstances. The writer concludes by declaring him self an impartial witness who speaks dispassionately, without bias in favor of one side or the other. My paper Che says) is, of the two, ministerial in its tone, and in the Chamber ] have l never taken part with the opposition On my arrival here I had no acquaint-