Evening star., 1896-03-03
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Complete Defeat of the Italians iu
.--- Africa.
C0LUMNS SEPARATELY ATTACKED
General Baratieri Said to Have
Com nitted Suicide.
GREAT TUMULT AT ROME

ROME. March 3.-Full details of a recent
battle with the Shoans In Africa have not
yet been received here, but 1t appears that
the defeat Of the Italians was complete.
the Italian army was divided into three
columns. under Gems Albertone, Arimondi
and Darbormida, with a brigade under
Gen. ELENA as a reserve. The Italians
captured the passes leading to Adow, the
capital of Tigre, and Gen. Albertone's col
umn then advanced on Abbacarima.
1t was soon sfterward attacked by the
Shoan army and compelled to retreat. The
other columns were unable to render him
any assistance. as they were shortly after
ward engaged In defending themselves
against large numbers of the enemy and
eventually retired behind Beliesa.
According to the correspondent In Africa
Of the Popolo Romano, half the Italian ar
tillery and all the ammunition and provis-
ions were lost.
Other advices report that 5000 of the
italian soldiers engaged in the battle were
killed and that among them are Generals
Albertone and Darbormida, who COM
manded two of the three columns. The
number of wounded is not yet stated.
1t is reported this evening that the entire
army reserve Of the class of 1872 is to be
ment is taking steps to charter a number
of extra steamships to send reinforcements
to Massowah. where. according to a dis
patch received here this evening, Gen.
Baldissera arrived today.
Nothing but the terrible defeat of the
Italians is talked Of In the cafes and other
public places. The Shoans are said to have
been well armed with modern rifles and
cannon, and the entire force opposed to the
Italians is estimated to have been over
6OOOO men,
The probability seems to be that Gen.
Baldiss era will have to suspend opera
forcements from Italy. although including
the troops killed, the Italian force at the
disposal of Italy in that part of Africa is
now about thirty battalions Of infantry,
five battallons of the famous Bersaglieri
rifiemen, probably the best infantry in the
italian army, about 1000 Alpine rifiemen,
about 1000 ordinary rifiemen. ten batteries
of artillery, making about sixty pieces, and
some 1000 men, with quick-firing batteri es.
twelve guns and 400 men: six mortars. Wi h
go men; three companies of engineers,
three baggage trains. with about fifteen
men. or about 10000 men in all, in addi-
ton to the native troops, numbering about
5000 men, which raised the entire force to
sCme 5000 men. Besides this force the
italians had in their employ about 1000
Arab scouts.
d
through the city that Gen. Baratieri, when
he became aware of the full extent of the
disaster, wrote letter to his successor.
Gen. Baldissera. and then committed sui
eide by shooting himself through the heart
with a revolver. AT the ministry of war,
however. the rumor was discredited.
AS the evening wore on and the very
worst news of the Italian defeat was con-
frned. the feeling of despair which first
seizef upon the inhabitants gave way to
one of the greatest excitement and rage
against the government.
Bands of young men began parading the
streets shouting Down with Crispi!' but
they were promptly dispersed by the police.
These demonstrations, however. attracted
still larger crowds of people to the streets,
and for time serious trouble was antici-
pated. All the troops at the different bar
racks throughout the city were placed un-
der arms, and patrols of mounted gend-
armes We're ordered to the leading thor
Cughfares.
Ministry to Retire.
Later.-It Is stated this evening that the
ministry has decided to resign, as a result
OF the popular clamor arising from the re-
cent defeat Of the Italian forces in Abys-
sinia.