The herald., 1896-03-05
italian PopuIace Wild With
Grief and Anger
RIOTERS FILL THE STREETS
Demanding the Removal Of the Crispi
Ministry
u tho Larger Cities and Even in the Prov
iuces Bitter Indignation Is Expressed
Against Crispi

Associated Press Special Wire
ROME, March 4.-The kingdom of Italy
today is in a condition of excitement,
grief and anger, almost beyond descrlp-
ton. Every dispatch from Massowah adds
to the gravity of the disaster to the Italian
army at Adowa, Abyssinia. When the first
news of General Baratieri's defeat reached
the city the report had it only 800 men
we're killed. Then yesterday afternoon
the number ran up to 5000 killed. with 60
pieces of artillery captured. This MORN
ing's dispatches place the number OF killed
in battle and the long, harrassing retreat
which followed, at 5000. 1t is believed not
even these figures tell the full extent of the
disaster. No mention is made of the
wounded, and there is good reason, based
on stories of recent Italian defeats by
Abyssinians, to believe those who fell
wounded during the retreat of over fifty
miles met a more horrible fate than those
killed on the spot.
Throughout the night the garrison here
was kept under arms, and mounted patrols
traversed the principal streets. The streets
were filled with people until daybreak, and
after early morning every public place was
crowded with excited mon and women.
Several disturbances. which called for po-
lice interference, occurred today. and the
indications are the people are assuming a
most threatening attitude, not only in
Rome, but throughout Italy. Demo1stra-
tions against Crspi's ministry and even
against tho crown are reported from the
provinces. In spite of the fact the authori-
ties are straining every nerve to suppress
all alarming news.
Later in the day news from the provinces
became more alarming. 1t was stated in
number of places the police had been un-
able to cope with the populace, and troops
had been called upon to restore order.
The soldiers, however, appear to have been
as helpless as the police, and at several
places the crowds were fired upon.
AT Milan the troops, after vainly endeav-
ing to dispense the mob, were obliged to
fire. One man was killed and several
wounded. This Increased the excite
ment The troops were stoned and had
TO clear the public square at the point of the
bayonet.
Dispatches from Venice say last night a
crowd assembled at Piazzi St. Mark and
speeches were made condemning the man.
ner in which the Abyasinian campaign has
been conducted, and calling upon the
military authorities to try General Bara-
teri by court-martial.
There was another popular demonstra-
tion against the government this morning,
and the mob was only dispersed by the pc
lice with the greatest difficulty after num-
ber of arrests had been made. AT Padua
today q mob marched through the streets
hooting the government officials and cry
ing for the downfall of the Crispi ministry.
At Verona there was a similar demon
stration.
1t is believed nothing short of the down
fall of Signor Crispi and the dispatch of
slroDg reinforcsments to Africa will satisfy
public clamor Before noon it was an
nounced General Baratieri had been
recalled to Rome and his conduct in tue
present campaign and defeat at Adowa
will be inquired into.
The Socialists declare the general should
be shot, as an example to others, and the
minister of war should share his fate. The
army reserve of 1882, numbering about
$4,000, are being called to the standard,
but it is feared there will be serious rioting
when the men musterin large bodies News
of the death of General Aiberton and Da-
bormida he's been confirmed. 1t is believed
that over 500 other Italian officers of lesser
rank have peen slain.
1t is said that the government was aware
on Tuesday of the full extent of the defeat
inflicted upon the Italians, but it was
judged to be dangerous to allow the start
ling information to reach the public sud
denly, and SO, first the report of the defeat
was permitted to leak out, then the war
officials allowed it to be ruInored that 500
were killed; after this came the report that
5000 soldiers had fallen, and it is now ad-
~.
in addition to severe loss among the native
troops serving under the flag of Italy. Un-
der these circumstances it is not astonish-
ing that the widest kind of rumors are in
circulation, and that in some of the clubs
the number of killed and wounded is placed
at 10000. Exaggerated as these figures
may turn out to be, they show the state of
the public mind here.
All fetes have been indefinitely post
poned and masses for the repose of the
souls of the dead have been celebrated this
morning in every Catholic church in this
city, and crowds of weeping women and
sorrowing men were in attendance. The
receptions, etc., in celebration of the cor
onation anniversary of the pope have been
dispensed with.
Rome, in a word, is today city of
mourning and of sulien anger, ready to
break out into fierce, open resentment.
The officers and residences of all the
ministers are guarded and the guards at
the palace have been doubled.
In the main thoroughfares crowds as
semble every now and then, calling for the
downfall of tho ministry, only to be dis
persed by the people. Numerous arrests
have been made and the police escortinc
the prisoners to the different depots have
IN several cases been handled by the mobs.
1t is reported in the cafes that nrivate
dispatches have been received announcing
serious rioting at Naples, Florence, and az
Venice, but no confirmation of these re-
ports can be obtained. The government
officials are maintaining the utmost strict
censorship over all press dispatches be-
tween Italian points, and it is with diff
Guilty that news can be filed and sent from
here except under strong pressure from in
tueltial quarters.
Late tonight there was serious conflict
between the police and mob which
seemed bent upon making demonstra-
tion before the palace. The national flag
was carried draped with crepe and there
were cries of "Down with the ministry"
NDown with Crispi." "Death to Baratieri."
Tho government is being urged by some of
the most prominent men in the country to
give to the press all the news in its possess
sion as it is still believed that the worst has
not yet been told and that the war office is
in possession of facts still more startling
than those which have already leaked cut.
One rumor tonight has it that the entire
Italian army was practically wiped out
and that only battalion or so succeeded
in reaching Asnaria.
=, AT the war office, however, it was stated
mat this 10 an exaggeration. The truth of
the matter seems to be that the ministers
sro 00xiouely awaiting the rnncrt Of Gam