The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-14
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Italy Will Remain I'm the Dreibuns
md McneIik May Sfon fhs. War;

army under General Baratieri reached here
little remains but feeling of great resent
ment against the Italian commander All
rioting has ceased. The reservists who
fled from the country sooner than go to
Africa at the call Of the government for the
class. of 1872 are returning, and it is not be-
lieved any steps Will be taken to punish
them. Negotiations with King Menelek
have been opened and it is anticipated that
peace will be concluded before long. The
War Office has therefore countermanded the
instructions sent to various points for the
hurrying forward of reinforcements to
Africa. The new Cabinet is settling down
to work and the financial situation is bright
er than anticipated. Under these circum-
stances Italy breathes freer than for some
time past and there is feeling of graft
tude for those who have aided in Berlin.
during the past few days, in bringing about
this change from blank despair to great
hope in the future.
The conferences which have taken place
here recently between the Marquis Di
Rudini. the new Premier. and the Duke of
Sermoneta, their audiences with King Hum
bert and the constant exchange Of telegraph
ic messages between this city and the Ger
man capital have been coincident with the
meetings in Berlin of the Austrian Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Count Goluchowski, the
German Foreign Minister, Baron Won Mar
schall Bieberstein, the Italian ambassador
to Germany, Count Lanza di Busca, and the
imperial Chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe, sup
plemented by audiences with Emperor VIII
liam
Out of all these exchanges of views, it is
stated, has grown a much healthier state
OF affairs for all Europe. The German En-
peror is understood to have been some
what, If not entirely, weaned from his long
ings for closer relations with Russia and
possible alliance of the three emperors. and
rIrA oft frIIda nf
Britain, 1t is anticipated, will undergo
change for the better. This IS due to the
Britain, when the situation was outlined to
her from Berlin before the arrival there
of Count Goluchowski, promised loyal sup
port for the Italians in the emergency and
took steps to order an advance up the Nile
from Wady Halfa towards Dongola, of
strong column of British-Egyptian troops TO
act as diversion and prevent the concen-
tration of the natives for joinr attack on
the Italians. An Italian loan, 1t Is further
stated, could have been fioated In London
and the half-pledged support of Great Brit
ain to the dreibund, support hitherto in
volving little else than an irritating uncer-
a much more Cordial and solid understand
ing with the powers forming the dreibcnd.
Both Emperor Francis Joseph and EN-
as'n as it is known % that they have striven night
and day since the storm broke to relieve
the strain here. which at one time was
severe enough to threaten the foundations
of the throne. In fact, now that the crisis
is over, il is admitted that King Humbert
at one time was face to face with the pos
velop into almost anything. This condi-
ton of affairs. Of course. was greatly to
the advantage of the Socialists. who prof
tied by it to obtain concessions which they
could not otherwise have commanded.
To cap the peaceful climax, comes the
pleasant report that Emperor William, OF
Germany, Emperor Francis Joseph, of Aus
tria, and King Humbert will meet at Genoa
In a few days, and that series of brilliant,
of will ma o..
newal of the ties which compose the drei-
bund, which is intended TO demonstrate TO
all whom 1t may concern that Italy, instead
ruptcy and encumbered by a tottering
throne. is strong in the earnest support OF
Germany and Austria, and will be backed by
Great Britain in any great emergency. That
the latter report is true is no longer doubted
here, and it is added that British naval
squadron will be ordered to Genoa on the
occasion of the meeting of the Emperors
and King Humbert, in order to openly DEM
onstrate Great Britains sympathy with Italy
and the dreibund Finally. 1t is said that
before the Emperors meet at Genoa En-
entirely entire RECON- reconcng % Queen victoria with her M
imperial grandson, and so the peace OF Eu-
rope, 1t is hoped. will be further cemented,
and the possibility Of a European war win
be driven further and further into the back
ground.
Orders have been sent from the War Office
to Massowah that the report of Generals
Baldissera and Baratieri on the defeat Of the
Italians at Adowa is to be supplemented by
q
important witnesses of the engagement. 1t
was at first proposed to court-martial Gen.
Baratieri at Massowah, and, in fact. that
plan has not been entirely abandoned, but
there were so many utterances of disap-
proval in the press when the plan was out
lined that It is understood that General
officer tried in public and in this city. There
is a strong movement. however among GER
tain military men and others to have the
trial conducted in secret as it is feared that
revelations may be made which will not tend
to strengthen the case Of Italy before the
lcity in the matter and it is believed that
the War Office authorities will have to bow
to the popular will.
to confirm the most alarming reoorts as to
the extent of the disaster at Adowa. and.
bs BEEN made -" public. T It is admitted that over
twelve thousand men were killed. wounded
or made prisoners II Is believed that the
great. The Abyssnians captured almost all
the Italian artillery, ammunition and sup
has hst the disaster though unavoidable uder
the circumstances. was not due to any de-
sire to strike a big blow before the arrival
sera. He claims that the plan OF battle was
his generals; that all the latter approved it.
been for the fact that native troops under
the Italian flag became panic stricken, and
so brought about the complete defeat of the
Disinterested judges still hold that the real
cause for the defeat of the. Italians is to be
found in the almost unceasing clamor OF GER
tain newspapers of this city and other parts
of Italy at the alleged inaction of General
Baratieri. These apparently unjust COM
ments on his conduct of the campaign seem
10 have goaded him to push forward when
good generalship would have avoided such
step until the plans for the advance on
to have been the case. as over $1,000 rein
forcements were on their way 10 General
Baratieri when the news OF his utter defeat
was flashed from Massowah-
Politics, it also appears, may have entered
somewhat into the situation. for Baratieri
was a recently elected Deputy elected as
mark OF public appreciation OF his previous
victories in Africa. and he was known TO
have formed political ambitions possibly
aiming at the war. portfolio, when he met
the great check which has wiped him out
had only waited for his reinforcements."
say his friends, and this seems TO be the
KEY to the whole trouble. The General did
not walt for his renforcements. and the real
cause of his failure 10 do 80 may be found
in his possible political future. which was
threatened by the taunts OF certain news
papers at his alleged inactivity. when,
everybody now sees clearly, he should have
remained inactive for quite time longer
OF a new commander, and. although Bar
| teri denies It, this may have been another
| feature OF the case. and another indirect
| cause OF the great disaster.
There Is no truth In the sensational re-
| ports circulated by a news agency In the
| United states of fresh and additional Italian
| reverses in Africa. Considerable Indignation