The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-07
MAzzINrS PROPHECY.
May Be Fulfilled by the Fail Of the House
of Savoy.

ROME, March 7.-"Crlspi will be the last
minister OF the house OF Savoy" said
Mazzini. bitterly, when the man who was
the inspiration OF the Sicilian insurrection
of lS4s, and In the revolution of ls59-60 had
been the fellow-sodier OF Garibaldi.
turned his coat and became Monarchist,
pleading that United Italy was impossible
under republic
Francesca Crispi has been three times
the mentor of the house OF Savoy and for
more than 80 years he has been "A brilliant
.and aggressive figure in the stormy poll.
ties of Italy, tho most execrated and tho
best loved man in the kingdom. The full
1llment Of Mazzinis' prophecy, for he
seemed to speak as one inspired, may now
be nj hand, although In different sense
from that which inspired It.
The Republicans, always terribly In
earnest, are now wrought upto frenzy by
the disgrace that has befallen the national
arms In Abyssinia. for which they hold
Crispi responsible, because they remember
that he has always teen identified with
the wretched Abyssinian policy, and that
it was Crlspi who after the reverse at
Dogali in January, 1897, asked for fresh
credits TO prosecute the war against King
John, as recently hc begged for money to
subdue King Menelek.
1t is not the first time that Crispi has
been burned in effigy. as he was by the
students of the University OF Naples.
Twice. indeed. there have been attempts
TO assassinatc him. But never has discon'
tent against his government manifested
itself with greater fury aud with such
markad rayOluffonnrv animus.
When soldiers bound for the scat OF war
are dragged from trains and angry Re-
publicans mob The police in Rome, when
anti-African demonstrations sweep the
kingdom from Milan to Palermo, a crisis
has arrived in the national affairs which
may portend a reconstructive change, not
withstanding the hold which Humbert
has on the affections of his subjects.
Late War News.
Dispatches from Massowah to the Ital.
ian papers show that the Italians fought
bravely at Adowa and obeyed orders
wherever they were well led; but they
were badly organized. and there was no
direct control over the distribution of tho
forces.
The men lost heart when they saw their
officers fall. Several desperate rallies
were made which might have saved tho
position II they had been properly sup
ported.
The italian officers were filled with
shame and anger when the Shoans do
manded their surrender, and fought To
the last with sword in hand. General
Arimondi and Colonel Gallino, with 800
white soldiers, are now reported to DO
prisoners in the hands of the Shoans.
IL is reported that Cassala Is now sur.
rounded by dervishes.
The Italian war vessels at Massowah
are prepared to act In the event of the
Shoans making descent upon Arkiko.
According TO The Italia Militare the
italian losses amounted to 1900, OF whom
5000 belonged to General Albertone's col
umns
A dispatch from Cairo says Tho Abys-
sinians or the dervishes have cut the
wires between Cassala and Massowah
and IL Is feared that they have isolated
Cassala by occupying the intervening
country. The latest advices state that
1000 Italians had left Asmara to re-enforce
Cassala, which had already garrison Of
5000 Italians and natives 1t Is feared
that the dervishes, who are within rifle
shot of Cassala, have intercepted the Ital
ian re-enforcements.
The Tribunals Massowah kilograms
clear General Baratieri OF the charge Of
disloyalty, and show that the retreat TO
Addicaje was begun three days before the
battle of A6owa, but was delayed on ac-
count of the reported movement of the
Shoans.
The troops were short of rations and
went into the action fasting after a nights
march General Baratieri telegraphed ON
Saturday that the Shoans' positions were
impregnable. 1t remains to be seen
whether the ministers ordered the attack
1t Is believed that IL will be found that they
advised delay.
The Oplnionc states that General Baldis-
sera has telegraphed TO the governments
that the situation is very serious, and that
he can do nothing to relieve Adriga. He
wants means to strengthen the position OF
Asmara The government has replied
leaving him liberty of action, but begging
him not to engage the enemy except in
case of extreme necessity.
About Abyssinia.
The three Kingdoms of Shoa, Tigre and
Amhara, together with their outlying de-
pendencies, Were, In 1889, reunited under
one sovereign. Practically, Abyssinia Is
now an Italian protectorate. The coun-
try consists largely of an elevated table
land, on which are groups of mountains.
rising 70 grcat elevations, Write between
them are valleys of great fertility and
many picturesque ravines. The forests
furnish many valuable trees. The amount
OF land under cultivation is very small,
tho majority OF the people being engaged
in pastoral pursuits. Sugar cane cotton,
coffee, the date-palm, grapes and other
fruits thrive in many localities. Iron ore
and salt are found; the latter is still used
as currency. Principal exports are
skins, ivory and gums.
The population of Abyssinia is composed
of various tribes, well.formed Caucasian
type predominating, in general character
resembling the Bedouin Arabs. The peo-
pie are essentially warlike, courageous
race, skillful horsemen, and In the field
have proved formidable assailants Their
treatment Of prisoners is said to be merci-
less, and In their domestic lives there is
little TO commend. Tho curious custom OF
frequently smearing the hair with butter
Is explained as safeguard against sun
efrnl-a and Is nlnogt univarSp1 annpe, tho