The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-06
PRINCE HENRI D'oRLEANs.
All Italian Army Officers Want to
Eight the ChamniOn of FRANCE.

All Italfan ARMY OHicers want to
Fight the Champion of France.
PARIS, Aug. 5.-After having received at
least a score of challenges from as many
Italian army officers of varied ranks to
meet them one at a time upon the blood
stained field Of honor, Prince Henri dor
leans, the French explorer, has named his
seconds and accepted the invitation of Gen.
Albertone. In overlooking the challenges
from the officers of lesser degree and Wav-
ing aside the demands of a %weakling such
as Lieutenant PM, in order that he may
accept the def of one of such
prowess, the prince has attracted to him
self the favorable comment Of his own
countrymen, and should he acquit himself
with dignity and homo he bids fair to be
able to revive the fallen prestige of his
house.
Prince Henri's name has been constantly
in the mouths of the Paris public since he
started on his journey to the home of the
Negus. some eight months ago. The first
announcement of his proposed trip aroused
a storm of abuse from the Italians, who
chose to believe that he was lending aid
to their enemies. There were a number of
minor quarrels, in all of which Prince
Henri was the central figure. The affair
eliminated when a letter written by the
~ AAAC CO OGIJ II ~ IN L Nj =
Figaro. Prince Henri. after describing an
interview between himself and the Negus,
continued:
Naturally the subject which was most
often discussed was that Of the war and
the captivity of the Italians. l am bound
to say that | am no longer indignant, but
simply disguised at what / hear each day
about them. out of respect for a nation
with whom We were friendly l should have
been silent If the Italians had not shown
in regard to ourselves the most reprehen-
sible conduct. Have they not confessed that,
had they entered Adds Ababa VIGOROUSLY,
they would nave given no quarter to any
FrenchInan, not even the small tradeSman?
They added, moreover, with an ironical air
that they would not have inflicted the
death penalty on the French women.
Events cid not permit them to accom-
plish their wishes. Although they came to
to realize it; some of their officers were
not ashamed to take part in the celebra-
ton OF the anniversary of the battle of
AdoWa; others wore as cuff buttons coins
with the image of Menelik. 1t was Alber-
tone himself who, drinking a toast to the
health of the great emperor, turned toward
one of our fellow-countrymen and said:
Are we not courteous? to which the
Frenchman replied: MOI, Dteu, sir, L never
saw a Erenchman drinking 10 the health of
Emperor William
This same Albertone received from the
Emperor a music box which Menelik had
loaned him to amuse him. On the departure
Of the general the music box disappeared,
probably carried off by some subordinate.
The Empress asked if people had the habit
- NOAA5 SNSAA biAAASo ~ hotOP0 49, wv
where, was the answer she received.
1T seems that these Italians do not have
much confidence in their fellow-country-
men. The officers asked the Abyssinians to
give them guards to prevent their men from
deserving while going back to the coast"
This letter aroused in France great re-
sentmen toward Italy and the Italian
army, and its writer at once became a pop
ular idol, though he was still far from
home. The announcement that the Italians
had intended an awful fate for these
French women found in Adds Ababa had
they entered that city as conquerors made
French blood boil. To-day French ire is
directed toward Rome rather than Berlin.
But if the letter aroused a storm in Paris,
it created a simeon in Rome. An insult had
as required blood to wipe out. Certain
Italian papers replied to Prince Henri's let
ter with epithets that were too low for re-
production in the Partisan press.
Then the Italian officers just back from
their captivity at Uarrar drew lots to de-
termine which of them should demand
PREPARATION from Prince Henri. The choice
fell upon Lieutenant Pint, the brother Of the
celebrated maitre du armes. Lieutenant
PM, in spite of the stock from which he
comes, is a physical Weakllng, and more
over he is far below Prince Henri in rank.
Hence this challenge was overlooked. But
when one written by General Albertone
reached the distinguished Frenchman it
was quickly accepted. Fuel was added 10
the fire of italian wrath by a letter from
Prince Henri, published by the Figaro last
week, in which the following comments
upon the battle of Adowa were made:
mot one Abyssinian has a bayonet
wound and nearly all the Italians show
sword cuts. Now, the Abyssinians are not
expert with the sword.
IAN Italian of the highest rank is seized
by the collar by an Abyssinian. The
European draws his revolver. Why should
we kill each other?' says the Abyssinian.
Let us embrace whereupon the Italian
pockets his revolver and embraces the
Abyssinian, who takes him. Several Italian
soldiers were taken by women.
Humble in battle, many Italians tried to
show themselves naughty in defeat. They
made proposals which upset our ideas Of
honor. A certain Frencflnan has told me
of two prisoners who Were brought to him
in rags and barefooted, and when he strove
to aid them he was dumfounded to hear
these words from an Italian mouth: What
swine the Italians are. What have they
ro,rbt re tOf''