The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-05
Rails Torn Up to Prevent More SeA-
diers Going to Africa, and Car
bineers Kept Busy All Day.
CABINET FORCED TO RESIGN
ITALIAN LOSSES AT THE RATTLE or
ADowA NOW PLACED AT 10000.
Several Generals and Many other on
GERS Killed, and Whole Regi-
ments Probably AnnihfIated.

ROME, March l--Italy is in the throes
Of a crisis that will test the stability OF
the government as one OF the nations OF
Europe. Not since the last revolution has
there been such excitement as now prevails
throughout the sunny Cline" and as de-
tails OF the reverse OF the army IN Abys-
sinia becomes known the feeling against the
government grows stronger. The people.
whether justly or not, charge those In
authority with being responsible for the
disasters which have followed the attempt
to add Abyssinia to Italy's colonial possess
sicns, and are loud in denouncing the Min
istry.
The further news to-day that the Italian
losses in the last battle with the Shoans
may reach 10000 killed and wounded.
aroused the people throughout the king
dom to a state bordering on frenzy. and
many riotous demonstrations were made
Words cannot adequately portray the sit
uation, for every dispatch received from
Massowah adds to the gravity OF the dis
aster to the army. When the first news OF
General Baratier's defeat reached this city
report had it that only 500 men were killed:
then yesterday afternoon the numbers ran
UP to 1900 killed, with sixty pieces OF ar
tillery captured. and this mornings dis
patches placed the number of italians killed
at the battle CT Adowa and in the long. ha-
raising retreat which followed at 5000 In
the first reports no mention was made OF
the wounded. and there is good reason.
based on stories of recent Italian defeats
by the Abyssinians. to believe those who
fell wounded during the retreat of over
fifty miles met a more horrible fate than
those who were killed on the spot
Throughout the night the garrison here
was kept under arms, and mounted patrols
tfaverssd the principal streets The masses.
however. did not seem TO have retired TO
rest. The streets were filled with people
Until dsybreak. and after early morning
cvery public place Vas crogded with ex-
cited men and women A number OF dis
gurhances which called for police fnterfer-
ence occurred to-day. showing that the
people are assuming most threatening at
,ituGe. not only in Rome. but throughout
Italy. Representations against the Crispi
Ministry. and even against the crown, are
reported from number OF towns in the
provinces. in spite of the fact that the
authorities are straining every nerve to
suopress all alarming news.
THE NEWS WITHHELD.
H. Is said that the government was aware
on Tuesday of the full extent Of the defeat
inflicted on the Italians, but it was Judged
to be dangerous to allow the startling in
formation TO reach the public suddenly.
cad so. first the report OF the defeat was
parrnitted to leak out: then the officials
allowed ii TO be ''rumored" that 500 men
were killed: soon after TINS came the report
''tnat 5000 soldiers had fallen" and now
&c is admitted" that 5000 italian troops
were slain, in addition to severe loss among
| chs native troops serving under the flag OF
stoI.sshing that the widest kind OF rurnors
slss ih circulation. and that an some or tho
| r,ased at 10000. Exaggerated as taese ns-
| ufss may turn out ID be, they k1ow the
state CT the peoples mind here.
All fetes have been indefinitely postponed.
Masses for the repose OF the souls OF the
! dead were celebrated in every Catholic
church in the city to-day and crowds crow OK
. n attendance. The receptions, etc, IN cele-
4 tration OF the coronation anniversary of the
Pope have been dispensed with. Rome IN
| a word. Is to-day city OF mourning and
OF sullen anger ready to break cut into
fierce, open resentment The government
| and the military authorities are. charged
with gross msmanagement OF the Abys-
| sinan campaign and great indignation II
| expressed against the newspapers which
| have been goading General Baratieri into
action by tainting him with his Inactivity.
| 1t is also said now that the Italian COM
| by the report which was allowed to reach
him that number OF the important chiefs
Of the shoans. attended by a portion OF the
Shoan army. were attending the coronation
| OF the King at Axun, and. that hoping 10
| surprise those who remained behind. Gen.
| eral Baratieri ordered Generals Albertone.
| Armondi and Dabormida 10 attack the
| enemy. The latter, IL appears. pretended
to retreat before the Italian advance until
the troops were well within the passes
| leading TO Adowa, the capitol or Tigre.
Then the scene changed. The shoans.
rifles rifles. il til is G Claimed. and supported by
| modern artillery. directed by French artil-
| lerymen. advanced on the Italians In over
| deserted passes became alive with natives,
| who hurled rocks down upon the trapped
soldiers. while others kept up terrible.
weil-directed fire on the troops
PURSUED AND CUT DOWN.
Ugly rumors add that the Italians broke
and fed after making a gallant stand and
seeing thousands OF their number shot down
| or crushed 10 death. Then. IL is added.
began the most disastrous defeats In the
| history OF African warfare, tho triumphant
| Shoans pressing on after the disorganized
| soldiers. cutting them down In great num-
| bers in spite or repeated formations OF
| squares. The troops. in these stands are
] said to have behaved with the greatest
| gallantry. but all the reserve ammunition
was captured and all the Italian provisions
!, and artillery fell into the hands of the
enemy. The result was that number OF
| the Italian detachmenis had only their
bayonets with which TO defend themselves
| and it Il feared but a small portion OF the
/ Italian force sent against the Shoans
reached Asmara in safety.
The opposition party and Socialists are
| taking advantage OF the situation The
latter especially. are very bitter against the
| government
Later in the day the news from the prov
inces became more alarming. IL vas
stated that In number OF places the
| police have been unable 10 cope with the
\ populace and that the troops have been
| called on 20 restore order. The soldiers.
1 however, appear 10 have been As helpless
| as the police and in several places the
| crowds have been fred on. Al Milan, the
troops. after vainly trying % dlsperse a