The citizen., 1896-03-06
EXCITEMENT NITALY
The Whole Country Shaken over
the Defeat in Abyssinia.
MINISTRY EXPECTED TO RESIGN
Details of Sundays Battle Not Yet Re-
ceived, But Rumors Place the Ital-
ian Loss at 5000 Killed-Ba-
ratieri O Suicide

ceiVed, But kumOrS Place the 1tal-
ian Loss at 5000 Killed-Ba-
ratieri q Suicide {?
Rome. March 4-The Italian cam
.paign against the Abyssinians threatens
to become one of the most disastrous
in which the Italian arms have ever
taken part. and what the final outcome
will be it would be hard to predict. 1t
was rumored last night that the latest
defeat of the Italians by the forces of
King Menelik had compelled the minis
try to resign owing to the popular
disapproval of the governments policy,
but to-day this report is denied. Details
received here to-day of the defeat of
the Italian army show that the Italian
losses were very heavy, they being
placed by some at 5000 killed. 1t is
still impossible to ascertain the precise
losses, but popular opinion credits the
report that the number of killed is not
overstated. Among the dead are Gen.
Albertone, commander of the left
brigade, and Gen Dabormida, com
mander of the right brigade. The
news of this fastest disaster has caused
the greatest excitement throughout
Italy, and the opposition party is talk
ing advantage of it to make violent at
tacks upon the governments policy in
attempting to extend the sphere of
Italian influence in Abyssinia.
Ministry Denounced,
The scenes in the streets are very ex-
citing, the populace being greatly in
censed against the government De-
nunciations of the ministry is 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 that was
to be given in connection with the an
niversary of his coronation. A meeting
of the cabinet was summoned immedi-
ately upon the receipt of the news of
the Italian reverse The minister's met
at midnight and sat in closed session
until late in the morning discussing
the situation. They will meet the
chamber of deputies to-day and make
a statement regarding the position of
affairs and their intentions. A per-
sistent rumor circulates that the cabi-
net will retire. King Humbert has had
interviews with Prime Minister Crispi
and Signor Farini, president of the
senate. The subjects discussed at the
interview were presumably the Italian
defeat and the course to be pursued by
the government, but what, if any, de-
cision was arrived at is unknown.
Fight Lasted All Day.
The latest report of Sundays battle
says that Gen. Baratieri, governor of
Erythrea and at present commander
of the Italian forces operating against
the Abyssinians, made an attack on the
latter on Sunday. The reserve Italian
force took possession of the passes
leading to Adowa without any opposi-
tion from the enemy. This force was
commanded by Gen. Ellina. Gen. AL
bertone, with four batallions of native
levies and four mountain batteries,
then engaged the Abyssinians, but was
soon overcome by overwhelming odds
and was forced to retreat. Gen.
Arimondi, the commander of the centre
brigade, was ordered to cover the re-
treat of the left brigade, but his posi-
tion was such that he was prevented
from carrying the order out. In the
meantime the Abyssinians, flushed with
success, made an energetic attack upon
the whole Italian front and enveloped
both wings. The Italians made des-
perate resistance, but could not with
stand the attack, and finally orders
were given for them to fall back.
Their positions were speedily aban-
doned. The fighting lasted all day.
Gen. Baratieri with the wounded, Gen
Ellina and his command, together with
the men under Gen. Arimondi retired
to Adecajo, 1O0kilometres from Adowa.
Italians Lose Many Guns.
Since Gen. Baratieri returned to
Abyssinia from his visit to Rome, on
which occasion he was decorated with
the order of the Red Eagle by Emperor
William, his conduct of the campaign
has been very harshly criticized in
certain military circles. His decision
to break his line in this last battle and
the tactioS subsequently pursued by
him are regarded by military experts
here as inexplioable The Italians are
said to have lost sixty guns and all
tucI pFOVlSAOuA GV0n Cn0 govern
ment acknowledges that when Gen.
Baratieri was compelled to order his
army to retreat from the positions held
by it he was forced to abandon many
of the guns. The nature of the coun-
try prevented the guns from being used
against the enemy and later prevented
the Italians from taking them with
them In their retreat. These, of course,
have fallen into the hands of the Abys-
sinians, who will undoubtedly use
them against their former owners.
The captured guns will enormously
aid the artillery forces of the Abyssini-
ans, already . factor that has had to
be taken into account by the Italians.
The situation is regarded as being SO
serious that the government has called
out all the reserves of 1872 Every eff
fort will be made to hasten the dis
patch Of reinforcements to Abyssinia.
Orders have been issued for all the
available transport steamers to assem-
BILE at Naples on Saturday next for the
purpose of taking on board troops for
immediate dispatch to Massowah.
Report of BaratIeri's Suicide.
Gen. Baldissera, who was recently
appointed to succeed Gen. Baratieri in
the chief command of the italian