The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-08
THE 80 OF THE HOTR.
he viii Try to Retrieve Italy's Mar
tial Reputation.

There is one figure which will command
worldwide attention in the events of the
next few months, unless, indeed, Italy
should abandon her Abyssinian interests.
Tt is that of General Baldissera, the new
commander i'm chief of the Italian forces,
who has undertaken the task of retrieving
the fortunes of his cOuntrymen in Africa.
General BaldisSeFa has had a most TO-
mantle career. When a little ragamuffin
of z, he was picked up in tho street at
Udino by the bishop of the diocese, who,
admiring his childish beauty and intelh-
Rence, recommended him to tho Empress
Marianne of Austria. This was in 1916,
when Udine, with the whole of the Vene-
tian provinces, belonged to Austria. The
empress educated the lad at the military
academy at Weiner- Neustadt. Young
Baldisssra first won military distinction
in 1859, when he fought with great valor
against his own countrymen. Through
out the long war in which Italy was fight
ing for her Independence Baldissera faith
fully served his Austrian protectors. refus-
ing to desert, as most Of his brother
officers from the same provinces did, be-
cause Of his gratitude to the royal family
Of Austria Tor their generosity during his
childhood.
Finally when, in 1866 the Venetian
provinces passed into the hands of Victor
Emanuel and Baldissera's birthplace be-
came part Of the new kingdom of Italy,
the young officer considered himself abb
solved from further duty to Austria which
was 10 longer his fatherland. He became
a major ia the Italian army, but SO tardy
had been his resolution to serve his mother
country that he was dercely criticised and
attacked by many among his new cham
pions in arms He vindicated his per
sonal courage and his patriotism in the
accepted manner of his countrymen and
fought more than 20 duels in less than
two months He was successful ia almost
all these encounters, but he still carries
several scars as souvenirs of them.
His African experience begun In 1882,
after the massacre at DegoG. He made q
brilliant record in the san Mariana expo
ditiOn, and al it's close was made the gov
ernor Of the Eritrea colony. He was a
most successful administrator. He always
opposed what was called tho Shoan policy,
which consisted in helping Menelok
against his rivals. He never trusted Men
elek, and always said it was a great mis-
take to cooperate in the king plans for
making a united and powerful Ethiopia
with supreme ruler. His policy was to
maintain and judgments the quarrels be-
tween the difeRent RRs SO that no one of
them would even be able to defy the Ital-
ians with the whole force Of Abyssinia.
The Sh0an policy triumphed, however,
and General Raldissera returned TO Italy
Ia 1890. Ho nov goes back having seen
oil his prophecies with regard to King
Menslek fulfilled.
In appearance and in soaring and meth
ods General Baldissera is an ideal soldier
He is as silent as Grant, and, like Won
Moltke, IS surnaned the Tsoiturn Cool
headed and warm hearted he IS worshiped
by his men. He if any man among Italy's
military leaders, can rescue the fOrlOrD
hope In Abyssinia--New York sun.