Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05
The Whole Kingdom Torn Up
by the News of Defeats i'm
Abyssinia.
The Number of Killed i'm the
Battle of AdOwa Now Put
at 5000.
And 1t May Be Many More Per-
ished-- Riots All Over the
Kingdom.

ROME, March 5.-Ihe kingdom OF
Italy today is in a condition of excite
ment, grief and anger, almost beyond
description. Words cannot adequately
portray the situation, for every dispatch
received from Massowah adds to the
gravity of the disaster of the Italian
army at Adowa, Abyss.nia.
When the first news of General Bara-
tlerla's defeat reached this city, report
had it that only 500 men were killed.
then the number ran up to 5000 killcC
and 60 pieces of artillery captured, and
the morning dispatches place the num-
Der of Italians killed at the battle of
Adowa, and in the long, %harrassing re-
treat which followed, at 5000, and it Is
believed that not even these figures
tell of the full extent of the disaster. In
these reports no mention it made of the
wounded, and there is good reason,
based on stories of recent Italian de-
feats by the Abyssinians, to believe
that those who fell wounded during the
retreat of over 80 miles
Met a More Horrible Fate
than those who We're 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 were
filled with people until daybreak, and
after early morning every public place
was crowded with excited men and
women. A number Of disturbances
which have call ed for police interfer-
ence haze occurred. The indications
are that people are assuming a most
threatening attitude, not only in Rome,
but throughout Italy. Demonstrations
against the Crispi ministry and even
against the crown, are reported from a
number of towns in the provinces. in
spite Of the fact that the authorities are
s%training every nerve to suppress all
alarming news.
The government and the military
authorities are charged with gross mis-
management Of the A~byssinian cam
paign, and great Indignation is ex-
pressed against the newspapers which
have been goading General Baratieria
into action by haunting him with his
inactivity. 1t is also said o that the
Italian commander was led into a trap
skillfully baited.
Riotous Demonstration.
Later in the day news from the pro-
vinces became more alarming. 1t was
stated that IN a number of places the po-
lice have been unable 10 cope with the
populace, and that the troops have been
called upon to restore order. The sol
diers, however, appear to have been as
helpless rs the police, and in several
places crowds have been fred upon.
At Milan, the troops after vainly try
ing to dispense a mob which was
making a demonstration against the
government were obliged to fire. One
man was killed and several wounded.
This increased the excitement, and re-
port has it that the troops were stoned
and had to clear the public square at the
point of the bayonet. Dispatches re-
ceiyed here from Venice say that the
most intense excitement prevails there,
and there were a number Of riotous
demonstrations during the night.
Abusing the Military Authorities.
The newspapers, as a rule, are filled
with abuse of the military authorities,
and of condemnation for the manner in
which the Abyssinian campaign has
been conducted. All sorts of charges
of gross incompetency are made, and
nothing short Of the most thorough
public investigation viii satisfy the
people.
The war Office is receiving dispatches
from all parts of the country asking
for lists Of the killed and wounded, but
some timo must elapse before this can
be furn shed. The news of the death
OF Generals Albertone and Dabormida
has been confirmed, and it is believed
that over 500 other Italian officers Of
lesser rank have been slain.