The San Francisco call., 1896-03-06
Throughout Italy There Is Great
Anger at the Abyssinian
Slaughter.
AN UPROAR IN THE CHAMBER
Statesmen Openly Insult the Ministers
and Will Attempt to Impeach
Them.

ROME. ITALY, March 5.-Reports from
every city ana town of consequence
throughout Italy show that the excite
ment caused by the Italian reserve In
Abyssinia displays no signs of waning; on
the contrary in many places it grows
greater as the meager details of the defeat
filter through the press from official
sources.
Prime Minister Crispi and other men,
bers OF the Cabinet have been compelled
TO retire from office, that fact having been
announced in the Chamber of Deputies to-
day, amid a scene that can nttingly be
described as pandemonium. The situa-
ton in Rome is so critical that the troops
have been confined to their barracks, a
measure of precaution taat will enable
them to be hastily dispatched to any part
OF the city should their services be neces-
sary to quell disturbances.
The university has been closed, the
authorities fearing that the hot-headed
students would attempt to make a demon
stration which in the present condition of
the popular temper might lead to serious
rioting. Despite the precautions taken,
however, there were several disturbances
tonight, but the police were able to
handle the crowds without calling upon
the military for aid. 4 number of ar
rests were made for disorderiy conduct.
The popular indignation is directed
against Signor Crispi and other Ministers,
who, rightly or wrongly, are held to be
responsible for the disgrace that has be-
fallen the Italian army As matter of
fact, however, Signor Crispi did not at
FIRST approFe the countTy's embarking
upon the hazardous undertaking of con-
querlng the Apyssinians, and it was only
the pressure exerted upon him that
caused him to support the policy of ex
panding tbs Italian possessions in Africa.
This fact counts for little now and the
Prime Minister'S enemies, of whom he
has great number took advantage of the
popular feeling to incite the whole Italian
people so far as to pour out the ylals OF
their wrath upon Signor Crispi and his
colleagues in the Ministry. Their success
was marked, and it is feared now, that the
storm they raised will assume such pro-
portions that it will indeed be hard task
for the King to secure any man to under
take the formation OF a new Cabinet. There
is a probability that his Majesty will be
forced to request Signor Crispi to again
assume office, in which event there Will be
a further and still louder outcry against
him.
The calling out of the reserves Of 1872 to
serve with the colors has also added to the
dissatisfaction, and in some instances bas
been one of the causes that have led to the
disorderly demonstrations. These reserves
are the men born in 1872, and the calling
of them from their employment will cause
serious loss to them.
Naples, Brescia, Palermo, Catania, Flor
ence, Venice anu Sassari were the scenes
last night OF disturbances growing out of
the feeling engendered by the army's de-
feat and the opposition to having the
young men of the country forced to throw
aside their means of earning a livelihood
to take up arms. Many people argue that
in view of all the circumstances of the
case it would be foolhardiness for italy 10
further continue her attempted conquest
of Abyssinia, but it is claimed by Others
that it is absolutely necessary for the
country to carry out the campaign and
restore her tarnished prestige. They be-
Iieve that if decisive blow is not inflicted
upon the Abyssinians the latter will
eventually drive the Italians out of Ery-
threa.
The scene in the Chamber of Deputies
to-day was one to be long remem bered.
Long before the opening of the Cham
Der enormous crowds of people thronged
the vicinity and practically surrounded
the building As time went on the crowds
increased andthe excitement of the popu-
lace grew more intense. The streets in the
vicinity of the Chamber were patrolled by
troops. who experienced difficulty in max
ing their way through the packed thor
oughfares. The members OF the Ministry
in proceeding to the Chamber evaded the
crowd as much as possible. When Signor
BaccelIi, Minister of Public Instruction,
arriye ed in the Chambe he was Missed by
the opposition Deputies and cheered by
those who adhere to the Ministry.
The sitting of the Chamber was of the
widest character, the uproar beginning as
soon as the Chamber was called to order.
Signor Crispi announced the resignation
of the Cabinet and stated that the resigna-
tions had been accepted by the King. This
announcement was received with pro-
longed and passionate applause.
The mem beIs of the Extreme Lett
shouted insults at Signor Crispi, but the
Premier preserved his temper, and when
he was enabled to obtain hearing de-
clared with great firmness that the Min
istry, until the nomination OF their sue
cessors, would retain Office and maintain
public order.
The membe of the Extreme Left gave
notice of their intention to introduce
motion demanding the impeachment OF
Premier Crispi and the members OF the
Ministry.
The uproar continued throughout the
sitting with more or less volume and the
scenes of excitement and disorder were re-