Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-12
ITALY IS AROUSED.
News from Abyssinia Grows Worse
with Each Succeeding Report.

Rome, March 5.-Italy is in a con-
dition of excitement, grief and anger
almost beyond description. Every dis
patch adds to the gravity of the dis
aster to the Italian army in Abyssinia.
Late dispatches place the number
killed in battle and in a long harassing
retreat of fifty miles at five thousand.
1t is believed not even these figures
tell the full extent of the disaster. No
mention is made of the wounded.
There is good reason to believe that
those who fell during the retreat met
a more horrible fate than those killed
outright.
The garrison here is under arms,
Mounted patrols are traVersing the
principal thoroughfares. The streets
are filled with people. A number of
disturbances have occurred. The peo-
pie are assuming a most threatening
attitude, not only in Rome, but
throughout Italy. Demonstrations
against the ministry, even against the
crown, are reported from a number of
towns in the provinces, in spite of the
every nerve to suppress all alarming
news. 1t is said the government was
aware Tuesday of the full extent of
the disaster but it was judged danger
Gus to allow the information to reach
the public suddenly, so the first report
of defeat was permitted to leak out,
they allowed it rumored that five
this report that three thousand had
fallen and now it is admitted five
thousand Italian troops were slain in
addition to severe losses among the
native troops. Under the circumstances
it is not astonishing that the wild
est rumors are in circulation. In some
clubs the number of killed and wound
ed are placed at ten thousand.
IL is said the Italian commander was
led into a trap by false news of the
enemy's position. Outposts of the
enemy pretnded to retreat before the
Italian advance until the troops were
we'll within the mountain passes then
the Shoans armed with improved
French military rifles, it is claimed.
supported by modern artillery, directed
by French artillerymen, advanced in
overwhelming strength. The appar-
emily deserted passes became alive
with natives who hurled rocks down
on the trapped soldiers while others
kept up an unerring fire The
Italians after making a gallant stand
seeing that thousands of their num-
Der were shot down or crushed to
death broke and fed. Then began the
most disastrous retreat in the history
Ct African warfare, the triumphant
Shoans pressing after the disorganized
troops and cutting them down in great
numbers in spite of repeated square
formations All the Italian reserve
ammunition, provisions and artillery
We're captured by the enemy. A num-
Der of Italian detachments had only
bayonets to defend themselves with.
1t is feared but small portion of the
force reached Asmara in safety.
News from the provinces is alarm
ing. In a number of places police are
unable to cope with the populace.
Troops were G. He'd on to restore order.
but appear TO have been as helpless
as the police. At Milan, after vainIy
trying to disperse the mob, the troops
were obliged to fire. One was killed,
and several wounded. This increased
the excitement and report has it that
the troops when stoned had to clear
the public square at the point of the
bayonet.
Nothing short of the downfall of the
ministry will satisfy the public
clamor. Army reserves numbering So
900 are being called out The people
are murmuring against being deprived
of the head of families The news of
the death of Generals Albertone and
Dabormida, is confirmed. 1t is be-
lieved that over 500 other officers of
lesser rank are slain.
Last nights late dispatches show