The San Francisco call., 1896-03-05


deciding upon the adoption of further
military measures.
Advices from Massowah received by the
Government announce that General
Baldissera, the newly appointed COM
handkerchief of the Italian forces In
Africa, assumed command to-day.
The Government has instructed the mil
itary Acknowledgement to examine into
the conduct of the Abyssinian campaign
by General Baratieri and determine
whether or not the latter shall be ar
raigned before a council of war.
1t is stated that Baldissera is due to ar
rive at Asmera, toward which place the
Italian troops are said to be retreating on
the 9th inst. and that there he will meet
General Baratieri.
Long official dispatches from Massowah
under the date of March 8 give technical
details of the positions and movements of
the Italian troops engaged in Sunday s
battle with the Abyssinians
According to these advices the troops IN
the mo rning occupied two ridges in the
vicinity of Adowa, but they were COM
PEELED to abandon these positions by i'm
mense phalanxes of the enemy. The
fighting was evidently of terrific chaaac-
ter and the retreat of most of the battal-
ions was mere Iout.
The most contradictory reports are in
circulation and It is impossible to obtain
any reliable information as to the gravity
of the defeat of the Government forces.
All last ght the garrison in Rome was
kept under arms and mounted patrols
-, I'M
streets were filed with people until day
break, and after early morning every pub
lie place was crowded with excited men
and women.
Several disturbances which called for
police interference occurred to-day and
the indications are that the people are as
suming a most threatening attitude, not
only in Rome, but throughout Italy.
Demonstrations against Crispi's ministry,
and even against the crown, are reported
from the provinces in spite of the fact that
the authorities are straining every nerve
to suppress all alarming news.
Later in the day the news from the
provinces became more alarming. 1t was
stated that in number of places the DO
lice had been unable to cope with the
populace, and troops had been called upon
to restore order. The soldiers, however,
appear to have been as helpless as the
police, and in several places crowds were
fired upon. One man was killed and sew
eral wounded. This increased the excite
ment. The troops were stoned and had to
clear the public square at the point of the
bayonet.
Dispatches from Venice say that last
night crowd assent bled at the Piazzi
of St. Mark and speeches were made con-
demning the manner in which the Abys-
sinian campaign had been conducted and
calling upon the military authorities to try
General Baratieri by court-martial.
There was another popular demonstra-
tion against the Government this morning
and the mob was only dispersed by the
police with the greatest difficulty after a
number of arrests had been made.
At Padua to-day mob marched
through the streets hooting the Govern
ment officials, crying for the downfall of
the Crispi Ministry.
AT Verona there was q similar demon
stration. 1t is believed that nothing short
of the downfall of Senor Crispi and the
dispatch OF strong re-enforcements to
Africa will satisfy public clamor.
At Naples party of students attempted
riotous manifestation there to-day
against the policy pursued by the Govern
ment relative to the African campaign.
The mob was dispersed by the police. but
not until after severe encounter. Many
of the rioters were arrested.