St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-06
ITALIAN DEFEAT NOT so SEVERE
AS EXCITED RUMORs HAVE
MADE 1T.
STRAGGiERS ARE COMING IN,
SHOWING THAT AFTER THE DE-
FEAT THE sHOANs DID NOT
PURSUE TROOPERS.
Riots Continue in All Portions of tn e
kingdOm-MObs Demand Cris-
pi's Impeachment.

ROME, March 5.-Later advices re-
ceived here from Massowah show that,
although the route of the Italians was
complete. the extent of the disaster is
somewhat less than rumor has made
1t. This is said to be owing to the
fact that the Shoans did not pursue the
Italians to Asmara, as was at first
reported, and parties of stragglers, who
were believed to have perished are
now arriving there. This has caused
renewal of the complaints against
the government for not giving the
official estimate of the number killed
and wounded. which, however, is still
believed to be over 5000.
1t appears that majority of the
generals approved of Gen. Baratieri's
attack, and all accounts agree that
Gen, Albertone pushed too far ahead
and engaged in a regular battle, his
artillery, consisting Of fourteen guns,
delivering a crushing fire upon the
enemy until the whole Shoan army
dashed against Gen. Albertone's forces
and in spite of the bravery and tenac-
lty of the Askaris, they were COM
PEELED to recede.
On the arri\ al of reinforcements il
appears, Gen. Albertone made a second
attack under the cover of the artillery.
which is described as being splendidly
handled,and he kept the Shoans at bay
long after the final retreat had been
sounded. Eventually, the Askaris
broke, and the terrible rout began.
Pursued and pursuers were mingled to-
gether, running and fighting, mile after
mile. The meanwhile Gen. Arimondi's
brigade had been packed on the other
rldge OF the pass. there not being space
enough for the troops to deploy or as
sist Gen Albertone. The result was
that Gen. Arimondfs men became de-
moralized, although a few companies
fought gallantly, while the remainder
We're only passive on-lookers of the
slaughter of their comrades by the Sho-
ans, who cut them down, shot them or
crushed them beneath stones in great
numbers. Later the whole of Gen. Ari-
nlcndfs brigade became panicstricken
ana fell an easy prey to the Hara tribes
men, who swarmed up to the ridge.
driving the Italians before them and
CUTTING THEM DOWN
or shooting them without mercy. Gems.
Baratieri, Arimondi and Cara, with
their revolvers in their hands, did ev-
erythlng possible to stay the flight of
the troops. But the efforts of the Of
ncers were futile, and the rout and
slaughter continued. Numerous in
stances of personal Valor displayed by
the Italian officers and men are re-
counted.
The excitement here continues. The
agitation has been spread to the coun-
try districts, and from all sides come
accounts of rioting and indignant pro-
test, OF bitter denunciation and loud
cries for vengeance upon those who
have been responsible for the terrible
reVerseS of the Italian army.
NI4
concentrated at Asmara The rear
guard consisting of 5000 men, is al
Add1cayo TO cover the line of retreat.
Such are the details that have trans
pired here. All the transport vessels
available are concentrated at Naples in
readiness to embark troops for Abys-
sinia Dispatches to Gen. Baldissera.
the newly appointed commander-in-
chief, asking him to telegraph how
many men he wants, have been sent to
the front.
The report that Gen. Baratieri had
committed suicide turns out to be in
correct; but it would seem as if that
would have been the best thing he could
do under the circumstances, for, if the
darker and darker reports which are
reaching Rome from Massowah are
substantiated, he will have great diff
flculty in escaping a capital sentence
on his trial by court martial.
The war office today admitted that at
least $50 Italian officers were killed, but
the officials still refuse to admit that
over 5000 men were killed They saw.
however, they believe" 5000 Italian
troops and 5000 native troops in the
Italian service were engaged $4,000 in
alp, and that NEARLY alI' the artillery.
ammunition and supplies fell into the
hands of the enemy.
GUARDS EVERYWHERE.
The official ana private residences of the
cabinet ministers, the royal palace, the en-
bassles and all important public buildings
here are guarded by troops. The neighbor-
hood of the chamber of deputies is held by
a strong force of infantry and police and
every precaution has been adopted to uueIl
an outbreak, should there be such disturb
ance In addition to the crowds of people
belonging to this city, large numbers of per-
Rome from the country yesterday evening
and this morning Nearly all the deputies are
in town, and Capriani, the socialist leader.
has boldly declared that proposals will be
submitted in the chamber of deputies to i'm
! peach Premier Crispi and his cabinet min
lsters. upon the charge of mismanagement
OF the Abyssinian campaign.
An intimate friend of the Marquis Di Ru-
DIM, the opposition leader, is quoted as say
ing that Rudini will not consent to accept Of
! tce during the present crisis He is report
ed to be OF the opinion that Sgr. Crispi
whose friends have now rallied strongly to
his support. should be compelled to straighten
out the difficulties into which he has led the
country, and that the defeat of Gen. Baratieri
is not such misfortune as the greater finan-
cial troubles which are likely to follow. This
view of the case shared by some of the
more thoughtful newspapers They say that
Italy is confronted by knotty problem
whether it would not be better to make peace
at any price with the Abyssinians than incur
| the immense expense involved in undertake
| ing a successful campaign against Abyssinia.
Fears are expressed that the disaster of
Adowa will have very bad effect upon Ital-
| ian securities abroad, and any finance minis
| ter would, under the circumstances dread the
task of floating another loan. The financial
| aspect of the situation consequently NAV he
such as to so alarm Crispi's enemies that they
| may not press him to the wall, even If they