The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-05
ITALYS TERRIBLE DEFEAT.
BARATIERI IN DANGER OF COURT
MARTIAL AND DEATH.

While the Troops Under His Com
mand Were stiII Fighting-A Later
Report Estimates the Number of
Italians Killed at 5000.
Rome. March 4.-The Prince Of Naples.
crown prince Of Italy, had a conference
with King Humbert and Gen. Mocenni,
minister Of war, this morning. All of the
italian princes have again asked permis-
sion TO so to Abyssinia.
The cabinet held a protracted meeting
this morning and unanimously decided to
press the acceptance Of their designations,
desiring to leave to the crown complete
liberty OF action. Premier Crispi lthis
afternoon announced to King Humbert
the decision OF the cabinet to resign,
which will be communicated 20 the cham
bers tomorrow.
Republicans and socialists organized
demonstrations last evening in several Of
the principal cities and towns of italy and
denounced the African policy OF the min
istry. A crowd at Milan, in attempting to
brust through a Gordon of troops, became
so frenz!ed that they hurled themselves
against the bayOnets of the soldiers and
one man was killed and seven wounded.
A royal decree bearing date of March
3 has been promulgated relieving Gen.
Barateiri OF his functions as governor of
the African province of Erythrea.
fought between the Italian troops in
Africa and the Abyssinians opposing
them has been received by the government.
The report explains why the Italians were
obliged to make an attack upon the Abys-
sinians as they did and why the former
were defeated. Gen. Albertone's s brigade,
the report says, had advanced too far and
lost his contact with the main army. 70
protect them he was obliged to move for
ward while the troops of Gen. Alberton's
command did not resist the assault of the
frafn nd nfEnEAae
hindering the artillery from taking a po-
sition. The black troops OF the brigade
were braver and fought with more valor
and vigor than the whites. IL is difficult
to ascertain the Italian losses accurately.
Large numbers Of men are missing. who
are suppose to be dead or to have been
II is stated that Gen. Baldissera is due
to arrive at Asmara, toward which place
the Italian troops are said TO be retreat
ing, on the 9th inst, and that there ne
will meet Gen. Baratieri Long official
dispatches from Massowah under the date
of March give the technical details OF
the positions and movements OF the ltal-
ian troops engaged in Sundays battle
with the Abyssinians.
According to these advices, the troops
in the morning occupied TWO ridges IN
the vicinity of Adowa, but they were
compelled to abandon these positions by
immense phalanxes Of the enemy. The
fighting was evidently of terrific char
acter and the retreat of most of the bat
talions was mere rout.
The dispatch concludes that no news
has been received of Gen. Delormidas'
brigade nor Of Gen. Arimondi and Gen.
Alber one.
The most contradictory reports are In
circulation and It is impossible to obtain
any precise information as TO the gravity
of the defeat Of the government forces.
dispatch to the Central News from
Rome saws that of the 427 officers under
cen Baratieri who took part in the battle
against the Abyssinians on Sunday only
40 returned Among the killed were Gen.
Albertone and Col. Galliano the latter
of whom was in command OF the italian
garrison which defended Makalle when
that place was besieged by the Abyssin-
ians Gen. Aromondi was seriously
wounded. Gen. Dabormida, with the REM
nant of his brigade, succeeded in re1oin-
ing Gen. Baratieri after having fought
thir way through the enemys lines. Ihe
Italians are in full retreat toward AS
Advices from Massowah received by the
government announce that Gen. Baldis-
chief of the Italian forces in Africa, as
sumed command to-day.
The government has Instructed the mil
itary advocate general to examine into
the conduct of the Abyssnian campaign
by Gen. Barateri and determine whether
or not the latter shall be arraigned before
a council of war.
Naples, March A party Of students at
tempted a riotous manifestation here to-
day against the policy pursued by the
government relative TO lne AITlGdn CAM
paign. The mob was dispersed by the
police. Many of the rioters wer arrested.
Paris, March A dispatch from Alden
to the Matin says that the Italians lost
5000 men in last Sundays battle with
the Abyssinians.
London, March 4.-The Daily News to-
morrow will publish a dispatch from Its
Rome correspondent saying that Gen. Bar
atieri, upon his return to Italy, will be
tried by court martial under articles of
the military code. which fix the punish
ment for officers who abandon their posts
before the enemy at degradation to the
ranks followed by death. The charges
against Gen. Baratieri are based upon his
own admission that he left the field while
the troops under his command were fight
ing, without knowing of the fate of he
columns under Gems. Dabormida and Art-
mondi, and retreated 100 kilometers in
twenty-four hours.
The Daily Telegraph tomorrow will pub
lish a dispatch from Rome stating that
the Italian losses in Sundays battles
with the Abyssinians were 10000 killed,
wounded, or taken prisoners.