Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-03-11
SITUATION NOT SO DESPERATE.
Reassuring Dispatches from Gen. Bal
dissera in Africa.

OlSScra HI AIrICas
Rome, March THE African crisis
assumed a somewhat brighter aspect
this morning, as a result of the receipt
at the war office of n dispatch from
Gen. Baldissera, commander of the 1tal-
ian forces, announcing that the situation
is not SO desperate as generally imag-
ined He says he has $4,000 troops at
his disposal, without counting the gar
risons of the forts and the reinforce
ments, amounting to 10000 men, now
on their way to Massowah. But the
general urgently requests the immediate
dispatch of ammunition and supplies,
particularly artillery, of which he stands
greatly in need. as about seventy-fiye
pieces are believed to have been capt
everything possible is being done to re-
licye the garrsons Of Cassala and Adj
graf.
The war Office has not yet made public
its estimate of the number of killed,
wounded and missing of the army de-
feated at Adowa. but the general Opin-
ion is that the number killed is about
5000. There are no means of ascertain
ing the number of men captured by the
Shoans. It is now admitted that Gen.
Dabormida was killed, but the fate of
Gen. AlbertOne has not yet been definite
" aascertained. Gen. Arimondi and Col.
GalliOuo, with about 300 Italian soldiers,
are reported to be among the prisoners
i'll the hands of the Shoans.
The Tribuna today declares that the
matter is not q question of q simple cri-
sis in Africa or Italy. 1t maintains that
the honor of Italy is involved and urges
the incoming ministry to adopt al policy
of uncompromising revenge.
The Socialist deputies have issued a
manifesto TO the country urging the peO-
pie tCi join in demonstra tons calculated
to urge the government to decide upon
abandoning the costly colonial policy and
withdraw the Italian troops from Africa.
The future, it is said. may depend con-
siderably upon the secret mission which,
it is reported, has been entrusted to Sig.
FranZOi, the explorer. According to the
rumor, which cannot be verified, FranZoi
will go to- Abyssinia with instructions
to prepare the groundwork for an honor
able peace between Italy and that cOun-
try.
AS cabled to the Associated press at
midnight, there was no truth in the re-
port circulated in Paris. Brussels and
TOulOn yesterday evening that Premier
Crispi had been assassnated. The de-
NAL afforded much relief to the many
friends of the Italian statesman, who,
hearing of the report. telegraphed here
for informa ton on the subject.
There was more rioting at Milan yes
terday evening. Store windows were
shattered with stones. and infantry sol
were stoned. Finally two squadrons of
cavalry were ordered to charge the riot
crs and rode into the mob with drawn
swords. pricking the most aggressive of
the mob leaders with the points of their
weapons or hitting them with the fiat of
their sabers. The mob replied with
showers of stones and shots from reyOlv-
ers. During the encounter twelve sol
dierS and sixteen rioters were wounded.
Train service to and from Milan has
been suspended as the mob attacks all
trains attempting to leave or enter that
city. The agitation is tue to the fierce
opposition of the Dopuiace to the de-
parture OF the troops relieved by the
calling out of the reserves of the class
of 1872. Crowds are constantly assem-
bled in front of the different barracks of
the troops. shouting to the latter: DO
not go to Africa" etc.
A big anti-African meeting to be held
tomorrow is being organized at Milan,
and steps to hold similar assembages
are being taken in other large cities
The object of all the meetings is to urge
the government to abandon the policy
hitherto followed by Italy in Africa, to
conclued peace with Abyssinia and bring
home the Italian troops. Disturbances
of description similar to those at Milan
occurred yesterday evening at Payia,
Turin Naples, Nicenza and Ravenna.