The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-04
Italy Rocking With Anger at
Crown and Premier
Because of Defeat to Her Arms
in Abyssinia.
DEATH LIST NOW 5000.
Rlotous Assemblages in all the
Large Cities.
Mastering in Of 10000 Troops
is Ordered.

ROME, March 4-The kingdom of
Italy today is in a condition of excitement,
grief and anger, almost beyond descrip-
tion. Words can not adequately portray
the situation, for every dispatch received
from Massowah adds to the gravity of
the disaster to the Italian army at Adowa,
AbYssinia.
This mornings dispatches place the
number of Italians killed at the battle of
Adowa and in the long harassing retreat
which followed, at 5000, and it is be-
lieved that not even these figures tell of
the full extent of the disaster.
In these reports no mention is made of
the wounded and there is good reason
based on stories of recent Italian defeats
by the Abyssinians, but those who fell
| wounded during the retreat of over fifty
| miles, met a more horrible fate than
those who were killed on the spot
Throughout the night, the garrison
here was kept under arms and mounted
patrols traversed the principal streets.
| The masses. however, do not seem to
| have retired to rest. The streets are
| filed with people until day break
and after early morning every public
| place was crowded with excited men and
WOH0u II O6E OI disturbances which
| have called for police Interference have
occurred today, and the indications are
| that the people are assuming a most
| threatening attitude, not only in Rome
| but throughout Italy. Demonstr ations
| against Crispi's ministry and even against
the crown are reported from number of
towns in the provinces, in spite of the
| fact that the authorities are straining
| every nerve to suppress all alarming
news. II 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 startling Information to reach
| the public suddenly.
| Ali fetes have been Indefinitely post
poned, 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
| sorrOwlng men were in attendance. Rome
| is today city of mourning and of sullen
| anger ready to break out into fierce open
| resentment
The opposition party and socialists are
taking advantage of the situation. The
latter, especially are very bitter against
| the government.
Later in the day news from the pro-
viuces became alarming. 1t was stated
that in a number of places the police
have been unable to cope with the popu-
lace adO budt LAo LEOOpS nave D06u Cdll6Q
upon to restore order. The soldiers, how :
ever, appear to have been as helpless as
the police and in several places crowds
have been fired upon.
AT Milan the troops after vanly try
ing to disperse a mob which was making
demonstrations against the government
were obliged to fire. One man was
killed and several were wounded. This
Increased the excitement and report has
it that the troops were stoned and had to
clear the public square at the point of
the bayonet.
Dispatches received here from Venice
say that the most intense excitement pre-
walls there and there were number of
riotous demonstrations during the night.
An immense crowd of people assem- !
bled at the Piazza street market and
there speeches we're made against the
government condemning the manner in
which the Abyssinian campaign had
been conducted and calling upon the
military authorities to try Gen. Baratieri
by court martial. There was another
popular demonstration against the gov
ernment at Venice this morning and the
mob was only dispersed by the police
with the greatest difficulty and after
number of arrests had been made
Advices received here from Padua say
that'there was a riotous demonstration
today and that the police had to inter-
fere to restore order. mob marched
through the streets hooting the govern
ment officials and crying for the down
fall of the Crispi ministry.
At Verona there was similar demon
stration against the government and
number of socialists were arrested for
stoning the police and uttering seditious
cries,
1t is believed, however, that nothing
short of the downfall of Senior Crispi and
the despatch of strong reinforcements to
Africa will satisfy public cIamor
Shortly before noon today it was an
nonnced that Gen. Baratieri had been re-
called to Rome, and that on his arrival
here his conduct of the present campaign
and defeat at Adowa would be inquired
into. The socialists declare that the
general should be shot as au example TO
others and that the minister of war
should share his fate
Gen. Baldissera, who has assumed COM
mand of the Italian troops in Africa, is
preparing a report on the battle of
Adowa, which will be forwarded as
promptly as possible to the war depart
ment here. The army reserves of 1872,
numbering about $4,000 men are being
called to the standards, but it is feared
that there will be serious rioting when
the men muster in large bodies at
their different centers The people are
murnuring greatly at being deprived OF
the heads of families who must now be
placed under arms, and as each hour
passes the situation becomes more and
more perilous. The newspapers as a
rule are filed with abuse of the military
authorities and of condemnation for the