Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-12
ITALY'S CRISIS.
Cabinet esigns--Financial Ills
Story of the Battle.

Rome, March 6.-The ministry an
nounced it's resignation in the chamber
of deputies yesterday and Premier
Crispi added that it had been accepted
by the king. The announcement of
the designations of the ministry was
followed by loud cheers which were
heard by the crowds outside, and, be-
ing understood, were taken up and
echoed far and wide. Crispi gaZed
calmly upon the shouting, cheering
deputies, as if such demonstration was
when he was again able to make him
self heard, he added: THE ministers
will remain at their posts until their
successors are appointed"
An intimate friend of the marquis
do Rudini, the opposition leader, is
quoted as saying that Rudini will not
consent to accept office during the
present crisis. He is reported to be of
the opinion that Signor Crispi, whose
friends have now rallied strongly to
straighten out the difficulties into
which he has led the country, and that
the defeat of General Baratieri is not
such misfortune as the greater finan-
cial troubles which are likely to follow
This view of the case is shared by
some of the more thoughtful newspa-
pers. They say that Italy is confront
ed by the knotty problem-whether it
would not be better to make peace at
any price with the Abyssinians than in
cur the immense expense involved in
undertaking a successful campaign
against Abyssinia. The financial as
pect of the situation, consequently, may
be such as to alarm Crispi's enemies
that they may not press him to the
wall even if they are in a position to
do so. In spite of the strong force of
the troops end +he police about the
chamber OF deputies it was with the
greatest difficulty that order was main
tanned. The crowds about Monte
Ciorio, upon which the chamber Of
deputies stands, every now again,
raised cries of: Down with the gov
eminent" Death to Baratieri," etc.
Rome. March 6.-The excitement
through Italy, caused by the defeat of
Gen. Baratieri at Adowa on Sunday
last, by the Abyssinians, shows no
signs of abatement.
The report that Gen. Baratieri had
committed suicide turns out to be in
correct. The war office today admit
ted that at least $50 Italian officers
were killed, but the officials still re-
fuse to admit that over 5000 men were
killed. They say, however, they be-
lieve 5000 Italian troops and 5000 ma
tive troops in the Italian service were
engaged $4,000 in alb and that nearly
all the artillery, ammunition and sup
plies fell into the hands Of the enemy.
Later advices received here from
Massowah show that although the
route Of the Italians was complete, the
extent of the disaster is somewhat less
than rumor has made it. Parties of
stragglers who were believed to have
persisted are now arriving there This
has caused a renewal of the COM
plants against the government for not
CIV ing Tic OlllCIdl 0SIlIudIS OIL the num-
Der killed and wounded, which, how
ever, is still believed to be over 5000.
1t appears that a majority of the
generals approved of Gen. Baratiere's
attack and all accounts agree that Gen.
Albertone pushed too far ahead. The
whole Shoan army dashed against Gen.
Albertone's forces and in spite of the
bravery and tenacity of Askaris they
were compelled tc recede. On the ar
rival of reinrorcements, it appears,
Gen. Albertone made a second attack
under the cover of the artillery, which
is described as being splendidly
handled, and he kept the Shoans at
bay lorg after the final retreat had
been sounded. Eventually the Askar-
IS broke and the terrible rout began.
Pursued and pursuers mingled to-
gether, running and fighting mile af-
ter mile. Meanwhile Gen. Arimondi's
brigade had been packed on the other
ridge of the pass, there not being space
enough for the troops to deploy or as