Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-03-05
'THE> KINGDOM NOURNS
Italy In Deep Distress ovei
 Defeat In Abyssinia.
R1oTINe OCCURS IN MANY CITIES

Thousand Italians Were slain.
 ROME, March 5-The kingdom oi Italy is in a situation of excitement, grief and anger almost beyond descrip. ton. Words cannot adequately por- tray tho situation, for every dispatch received from Massowah adds to tho gravity of the disaster to the Italian army at Adowa, Abyssinia.
 When tho first news of General Bara- tieri's defeat reached here it was said only 500 men were killed. Then Tuesday afternoon the number ran to 5000 killed, with 60 pieces of artillery captured And the dispatches now place the number of Italians killed ct 5000. and it is believed that even these figures fail to toll the full extent of tho disaster. No mention is made of the wounded, and there is good reason. based on stories of tho recent Italian defeats by the Abyssinians, that those who fell wounded during the retreat over the 90 miles mot more horrible fate than those killed on the spot
 Throughout last night the garrison here was kept under arms and mounted patrols traversed the principal streets. which were filled with people Tuesday night, and early yesterday every public place was crowded with excited men and women A number of disturbances have occurred, and the indications are tho people gro assuming a most threat ening attitude, not only ill Rome, but throughout Italy.
 Demonstrations against Cfispi's min- istry, and even against the crown, are reported from a number of towns in the provinces, in spite of the fact that the authorities are straining every nerve to suppress nj alarming news. Tho wild est kind of rumors are in circulation, and in some of the clubs the number killed and wounded is placed at 10000. Exaggerated as futures may turn out to be, they show the state of the public mind here.
 The fetes have been indefinitely post poned. masses for the repose Of the souls of tho dead were celebrated yesterday morning in every Catholic church in the city and crowds of weeping women and sorroWing men were in attend anee. The receptions, etc.. in the oele- bration of tho coronation of the anni- versary of the Pope have been dispensed with.
 It said now the Italian commander was led into trap, skillfully baited by the report that a number of important chiefs of the Shoans and a portion oi the Shan army were attending the coronation of King Negus at Axun md that hoping to surprise those who re mained behind, General Baratieri or. dered an attack on the enemy. Later it appears they pretended to retreat be- fore the Italian advance until the troops were well within the passes leading into Adowa, the capital of Tigre, ther the scene changed. The Shoans, armed with improved French military rifles and supported by modern artillery, di rooted by French artillerymen, ad. vanced upon the Italians in overwhelm. ing strength.
 While the apparently deserted passes became alive with natives, who hurled rocks down upon the trapped soldiers, others kept up terrible fire upon the troops. Ugly rumors are afioat that the Italians broke and fled after making g gallant stand and seeing thousands oi their number shot down Then began the most disastrous defeat in the his tory of African warfare The triumph ant Shones pressing on after the dis organized soldiers, cutting them down in great numbers in spite of repeated formations of squares. The troops in tho stands behaved with the greatest gellantry, but ell reserve ammunition was captured and all Italian provisions and artillery fell into the hands of the enemy. The result was that a number of Italian detachments had only their bayonets with which to defend them. selves, and it is feared that but small portion of tho Italian forces sent against tho Shoans reached Asmara in safety.
 Later in the day the news from the provinces became more alarming. Tn A number of places the police were unablo to cope with the populaoe, and troops were called upon tc restore order. Sol. diers, however, appear to have been as helpless as tho police, and in several places crowds havo boon fired upon.
 May Resign.
 RoMR, March 6.-It is stated that the ministry has decided to resign as re- suit of popular clamor arising from the recent action of tho Italian forces in Abyssinnio.