The Indianapolis journal., 1896-03-04
News of the Disaster Received with
Surprise by the People, Who BE-
Iieved the~Army Invincfble.
RESERVES TO BE MOBILIZED
AND THOUSANDS MORE SOLDIERS
SENT TO THE SEAT OF WAR.
General BaIdissera Placed I'm Com
ment of the Newspapers.

ROME. March 3.-It is impossible to ex-
aggerate the CONSERVATION which the news
of the Italian defeat in Abyssinia has
caused in all circles in this city. The news
papers do not even seek to minimize the
disaster in the slightest degree. Every
hour marks the appearance of fresh edi-
tions, giving additional details of the news.
and more particularly of the manner in
which it has been received and the opinion
of the editorial writer's on the disaster and
the campaign. All this serves to increase
the public excitement which is constantly
growing. When the news of the disaster
was confirmed this afternoon the people
showed despair, and as the evening wore on
the feeling of despair gave way to one of
the greatest excitement and rage against
the government. Bands Of young men be-
gan parading the streets, shouting Down
with Crispi," but they were promptly dis
persed by the police. These demonstra-
tions. however. attracted still larger crowds
Of people to the streets. and for time
serious trouble anticipated. All the
troops at the different barracks throughout
the city were placed under arms and pa
trolls of mounted gendarmes were ordered
to the leading thoroughfares.
Full details of the battle have not
yet been received here, but 1t appears that
the defeat Of the Italians was complete.
The Italian army was divided into three
columns, under Generals Albertone, Ari-
mondi and Darbormida, with brigade un-
der General Elena a reserve. The Ital-
ians captured the passes leading to Adowa.
the capital of Tigre, and General Alber-
tones column then advanced on Abba
carima. 1t was soon afterwards attacked
by the Shoan army and compe1ied TO re-
treat. The other columns were unable to
render him any assistance, as they were
shortly afterwards engaged in defending
themselves against large numbers of the
enemy. and eventually retired behind
Beliesa. General Baratieri is said to have
been wounded.
According to the correspondent in Africa
of the Popolo Romano, half the Italian
artillery and all the ammunition and pro-
visions were lost. Other advices report
that three thousand of the Italian soldiers
engaged in the battle were killed, and that
among them are Generals Albertone and
Darbormida, who commanded two Of the
three columns. The number of wounded is
not yet stated.
1t Is reported this evening that the entiref
army reserve OF the class of 1872 is to be
promptly modified and that the govern
ment Is taking steps to charter a number
of extra steamships to send reinforcements
to Massowah. where. according to a dis
patch received here this evening. Baldiserra
arrived to-day.
Nothing but the terrible defeat of the
Italians is talked of in the cafes and other
public places. The Shoans are said to have
been well armed with modern rifles and
cannon, and the entire force opposed to the
Italians is estimated to have been over
sixty thousand men. The probability seems
to be that General Baldissera will have to
suspend operations for some time, while
awaiting reinforcements from Italy, al
though the Italian force at the disposal Of
Italy in that part of Africa before the last
battle was about thirty battalions OF in
fantry, five battalions of the famous Ber-
saglieri rif1emen, probably the best infantry
in the Italian army; about a thousand
Alpine rifiemen, about thousand ordinary
rifiemen, ten batteries of artillery, making
about sixty pieces and some two thousand
men; two quick-firing batteries, twelve guns
and four hundred men; six mortars. with
two hundred men; three companies Of engi-
neers. three baggage trains, with about fif-
teen hundred men, about forty thousand
men in all, in addition to the native troops.
numbering about six thousand men, which
raised the entire force to some $4,000 men,
Besides this force the Italians had in their
employ about two thousand Arab scouts.
During the evening a rumor spread
through the city that General Baratieri,
when he became aware of the full extent
of the disaster. wrote letter to his sue
cessor, General Baldissera, and then COM
1,xx
the heart. At the Ministry Of War. how
ever the rumor was discredited.
Even the semi-offcial newspapers dwell
without disguise on the serious feature
OF the situation. The semi-official journals
assert that <eneral Baratieri's loss was over
sixty guns. They accuse General Baratieri
of incapacity and want of foresight and
they demand the adoption of measures
worthy of the nation.
The government tonight decided to mob
ilize the reserves OF the class of 1872. num-
bering $1,000
The opposition party bitterly attack the
government as being responsible for the
military reverse sustained by the Italians.
Among the countless rumors which are fly
ing about in the excited state of the public
mind it was stated that the government
will postpone the meeting OF Parliament,
which had been fixed for March 5.
COMMENT OF THE PRESS.
The Tribune says: General Baratieri
played his last card and lost"
The Messagiero says: 'The soldiers did
not fight for honor and for their country.
but only TO save the reputation OF their
commander"
The Esercito Italiano, the organ of the
army. a.one defends General Baratieri from
having acted from personal motives. end
attributes his def a TO Inadequate organiza-
ton This journal hopes that General Bal
dissera will retrieve the position
The Don Chisciotte Della Mancia says
that the defeat exposes the undefended
Gundele road. leading TO the heart of the
i.arirf srd task. fh,s ;onrnai continues % with
the advent OF the rainy season, and 1t