The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-04
BARATIERI BADLY BEATEN.
THR.E THOUSAND OF HIS SOL
DIERS REPORTED KILLED.


Have Captured sixty Guns and All
the Provisions of the Italians.
wild Excitement Rt Rome over the
News and the Resignation OF the
Ministry Imminent.
Rome. March 3-News received from
Massowah of a crushing defeat of the
Italian forces under Gen. Baratieri in Alb
yssinia has created great excitement
throughout Italy. The opposition press
declare that Gen. Baratieri has suffered
an enormous loss of men. arms. etc. claim
ing that he lost sixty guns and all his
provisions. Government newspapers con-
firm the reports already published as TO
the Italians being compelled to abandon
their positions, adding that their gun car
riages and many of their guns were aban-
doned. Gen. Baratieri's decision to break
his line and the tactics subsequently pur-
sued by him are regarded as inexplicable.
1t is reported that Gen. Baratieri was
wounded
Further details Of the battle show that
the Italians were defeated, with a loss
of 5000 killed. including Gems. Daborminda
and Albertone. The fight lasted the entire
day. Gen. Baratieri, with the wounded,
Gen. Elena and his forces and those under
Gen. Arimondi, have returned to Adecage,
100 kilometers from Adowa.
The government has called out the en-
tire reserves of 1872
All of the available transport steamers
have been ordered to assemble at Naples
on March z, to convey reinforcements to
Abyssinia. Gen. Baldisserra, who was re-
Gently appointed to succeed Gen. Baratiri
in the chief command of the Italian forces
in Africa, has arrived at Massowah.
1t is reported that Gen. Baratieris at
tack upon the Abyssinian army on Sunday
was the result of his desire to make a
grand coup before he was superseded by
Gen. Baldissera.
The campaign against the Abyssinians
threatens to become one of the most dis
astrous in which the Italian arms have
ever taken part and what the final out
come will be It would be hard to pre-
d!ct. Il was rumored to-day that the
latest defeat of the Italians by the forces
Of King Menelek had compelled the min
isters to resign, owing to the popular
disapproval of the governments policy
but tonight this rumor is denied. II is
still impossible to ascertain the precise
losses, but popular opinion credits the re-
port that the number Of the killed Is not
overstated.
Thus far the reports make no mention
of the number wounded.
The news of this latest disaster has
caused the greatest excitement through
out. Italy, and the opposition party is
attacks upon the governments policy in
attempting to extend the sphere of Italian
influence in, Abyssinia. The scenes in the
streets to-day were very exciting, the
populace being greatly incensed against
the government. Denunciations of the
ministry could be heard on every hand.
The pope is greatly disturbed by the
news. He has ordered the suspension of
the TIE Deum, and also the diplomatic
banquet to be given in connection with
A meeting of the cabinet was summon
ed last night Immediately upon the re-
ceipt of the news of the Italian reverses
The ministers met at midnight and sat in
closed session until late this morning, dis
cusslng the situation. They will meet the
Chamber of Deputies tomorrow and
make statement regarding the position
of affairs and their Intentions A per-
sistent rumor circulates that the cabinet
will retire. King Humbert to-day had
interviews with Prime Minister Crispi and
Signor Farlni, president of the Senate
This is the second crushing defeat that
the Abyssinians have inflicted upon the
Italians since the latter attempted to ex-
tend their power in the domain of King
Menelik. About three months ago five
companies of Italian troops under COM
mand of Maj. Tosseli were surprised and
surrounded by force of 5000 Abyssin-
ians. The Italians mad a desperate re-
sistance and fought until their ammuni-
tion was exhausted, when the Abyssin-
ians charged them and massacred nearly
the whole force. Fourteen Italian off,
GERS and over 100 men were killed. Only
small number of Italians succeeded in
breaking through the beleaguered lines
and making their escape to Makale. Sub
sequently the Abyssinians besieged Ma
kale and after practically reducing it, al
lowed the garrison to evacuate the place
with their arms and baggage.
A late dispatch from Massowah states
that Gen. Arimondi is also missing.
Rome. March T. a. m.-The govern
ment still lacks or is now Withholding
full details from the disastrous battle
with the Abyssinians. Orders were given
some time ago for the exclusion of news
paper correspondents from the Italian
lines and strict censorship has since
which makes 1t difficult for the full story
of the Italian defeat to be made known.
AS result the comparative scarcity of
news causes the widest sort of sDectIa-
ton and all kinds of undoubtedly exag-
gerated reports are I'm circulation
The newspapers here TEEN with reports
deductions, estimates and comments. Ali
of them, with the exception of the Ezricto,
a military journal, ascribe the disaster to
Gen. Baratieri's supposed rashness and his
desire to achieve victory that would Off
set his being superseded in his command.
1t is the opinion here that Gen. Bara-
tieris force numbered 1900 men, opposed
to whom were $1,000 Abyssinians.
London. March IA dispatch from
Rome to the Pail Mall Gazette says It is
rumored there that Gen. Baratieri has
committed suicide being unable to endure
the humiliation of his defeat by the Abys-
sinianS.
The Daily News will to-day publish
dispatch from Rome saying that the ~Esb-
met rendered their designations to KING
Humbert Monday, but that his majesty
refused to accept them. The dispatch
adds that Gen. Baratieri will be recalled
from Abyssinia and tried before a court
martial.
Military experts regard the retreat of
the Italians as worse than defeat, they
having abandoned more than 100 miles
of territory. 1t is uncertain whether they
still hold Adigrat.