The herald., 1896-03-05
THE ARMY IS ANN|H|LATED
Continued from First Page.
police force as well as the troops of the

police force as we'll as the troops of the
| garrison are on duty.
The whole country seems to be as ex.
cited as the inhabitants of the capital and
II IL reported that rioting occurred during
the day in several cities. The press CEN
sor. however, is holding back all dispatches
| liable to increase the state of alarm pre-
vailing and some time must elapse before
the truth is known. The war office has
been besiegad during the day by crowds OF
people and is now surrounded by troops.
Later details of the fight in Abyssina in
dicate General Dabortidas' column of ltal
ian forces sustained very hot attack from
the enemy aud fought desperately for forty
minutes. when they were compelled to re-
treat. The Italians did their best to cover
their retreat by rifle and artillery fire, but
they were hampered in this course by the
fear of hitting their own men.
Their infantry made repeated bayone!
charges to check the pursuing Shoans, but
they were finally compelled to abandon
their guns. Toward evening, while still re-
treating. the column divided into two
parts. One of these arrived in fair condi'
ton, under Colonel Ragina, at Add;cago.
No news has been received of the second
section.
General Baratieri has also sent dis
patches to the government regarding the
battle, but it is impossible to get a con-
nected account of the event.
1t was reported 200 of the officers en-.
gagged are missing. 1t is said the govern
ment will publish no list until exact de.
tails are received.
According to the 1talie, the reports of the
fighting which has been issued from the
ministry of war have not been signed.
They must, therefore, be received cauti-
ously.
General Baratieri. in letter to friend,
written before the final disaster, said: II
am aware of the intrigues against me, but
my conscience is easy. If | get through
the campaign with whole skin, I shall re.
member am a deputy and then many
people will be restored to their proper
places"
Two hundred deputies have arrived in
Rome since yesterday, and the greatest
animation is manifested in the lobbies of
parliament where the disastrous defeat
and the resulting acute phase in the politi.
cal situation are food for unending dis
cussions.
1t is believed difficulty in finding sue.
ing in Office. Demonstrations have oc-
Cured between Democrats and Monarch
ists, and fighting in the streets has re-
suited. The university has closed on ac-
count of the disorderly propensites of the
students, and many arrests have been
made.
THE CABINET WILL RESIGN
LONDON, March "A Rome dispatch to
the Times says:
The cabinet has decided to resign be.
cause of the radical agitation and the re-
sulting danger of violent outbreaks. The
meeting of parliament has been considered
advisable in order to remove the causes of
provocation. Reports unfavorable to Gen.
Baratieri are assuming darker color. His
rapid escape to a position 100 kilometers
from the army, which was left to Its own
guidance, is bitterly commented on.
WORD FROM THE FRONT
MAssowAH, March 4.-Gen. Baldissera
has arrived and assumed the governorshir
of the colony and the command Of the
army. He will arrive at the frcnt on Fri
day, when he will meet Gen. Baratieri and
consult with him on the situation.
THE PENALTY Is DEATH
LONDON, March ga dispatch to the
Daily News from Rome says: General
Baratieri's own report shows he quilted
the battlefield while the troops were still
fighting, and without knowing the fate of
the column under Generals Dabormida
! and Arimondi. He will be tried for aban-
doning his post, the penalty of which is
degradation and death.
The Chronicles Rome dispatch says
| Queen Victoria and Emperor William have
telegraphed their sympathy to King Hum
bert, with the expression of the hope thai
| the arms of Italy may be victorious.