New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-28
I'm REMEMBRANCE OF ADUA."
sIGNoRA ANTONA WRITES A POEM IN MEM
DRY OF THE BATTLE OF ABBA GARIMA.

DRY OF THE BATTLE OF ABBA GARIMA.
Annetta Halliday-Antona OF Detroit Mich. writer
OF the poem In Remembrance of Adua. has gained
considerable fame as a writer OF lalian stories'
and by her clever and dramatic guides or cooiie
life In the Island OF Trinidad. She went to Mexico
in 1894 as special correspondent OF Tine Chicago
Times" and has completed a work upon Mexico
which will soon be out She is contributor TO
many Italian and Spanish journals, and fluent I'm
gust in five different tongues. Her Italian is quoted
as vigorous and vivid. and II Is said shc handles
the delicate augmentativc5 and diminutives OF the
language OF Dante wit, the nicety or native pen
1T Is just a year ago this month";" said Slsnora
Valerie Antona "since the attention OF the civil
lied world fastened upon the ancient Kingdom
OF Abyssnia. where the armies OF italy ana the
forces Of Meneek. clandestn y supported by RUSSIA
were engaged in a fierce and bloody struggle for
supremacy While the story is fresh In tine minds
Of all Italians in this city, there are others to whom
a brief recapitu:a;on of the causes leading up to
those thrilling events may be OF interest.
Italy. recognized as colonial power by the
Congress OF Brussels occupied the position OF pro-
tectorato over Abysslnla with the consent OF Eng
land given at the time when Gordon was In danger
at Khartoum the Italo-Engl!sh policy being 10
crush the forces OF the Mahdi IN the Soudan.
Egypt Italy remaining in Abyssinia TO co!onze ana
10 avense tho murder Of certain Italian explorers
This led 10 conflicts with the Abyssnians. who,
heretofore engaged in unceasilis stIugS.es among
their feudal chiefs. now fastened TO unite against a
common enemy leader was found IN the person.
of Menelek, who claimed 10 be in direct me OF
descent from King Solomon and the Queen or
sheba. ,.,.. s.... 49,. -.
the Italians who were ignorant OF the fact that
for some time previous there had been on The part
OF the high eccesiastcs Of tho Russian Church
and mysterious Intercourse with the preates
OF the Church OF Abyss.nia. which had resulted In
standing by virtue OF which Russian ana French
officers had been for some time drilling Meneleks
troops, while Russian enterprise was turning a
more or less honest penny by furnishing munitions
IN December. 1895 at Amba-Alag. small column
OF Ita"n troops was GHt Oh surround ana ann,
from Makaleh. PEepa' ations were accordingly made
for more formidable advance. and General Bal
Out TO take supreme command. General Barateri
in the mean time at the head OF l5Oo troops had
once precpita,ed before the arrivai Of Balissera
TN" bpoSs Rna oAce N IN ne columns his army
frs G,Pured the psssds eaGng to AdGa but the
centrate themselves on the left column and the
other columns being unable. owing 70 the hills and
whelmng defeat followed. The number Of killed and
wounded was estimated at 90O-the majority native
sumed the supreme command and General Bara TERI
ordered away to await The decision Of the Gov
but was acquitted This reverse led 70 The downfall,
sEnST car csRs Mny XIX o nS
OF the Grand Gordon of 81. George. the highest mill
waf b Ar The desa E Of I'll 's II 10 re-
,,signor and sgnora Antona are now at No 1s4
| some time The poem written for The Tribune Is as
| follows:
Africs flame of day had fallen,
| Scared the stretch OF hill and plain,
Dying, glowed with hercer richness
on the ghosts OF Thousands slain.
Burned again on thousands marching
| Through the dark deile OF death,
| Floating in the evenings breath.
| Some there with beardess faces.
Theirs to do and dare the first time.
| Theirs the ignominous morn;
60 .hn 1arIp cd "
| AT the order just Obeyed,
Some who s, reasoned se fSaTda doubling
| Others-bearded erizZled soldiers.
In their country's service gray
Saw the outcome of the order,
Heard the fanfare with dsmay.
Down the gorge the columns marching
Onward TO the stroke of fate;
Theirs obedience. question futile.
Gone the Shoan chiefs to Axum.
| Gone the how'r OF Meneleks sway.
| Turned the scouts rejoicing backward.
Dared one dream they should bctray7
Hoped for victory and fame.
Praiseful. tributc-robed his name.
| Every heart-puse beat TO battle.
| At the warcry-old old
Wild and herce the host of foemen.
| Hordes barbara. crafty. bold
| Yet each brave Italian soldier
| Gazed sand and rock an mountain.
] Gazing. shivered at the sight.
| Left behind at battle-call.
| All the nations sons responding,
Lest the colony should fall.
| Stalwart Lombards, fair Nenetans.
Piedmontese and Tuscans grave,
| Lordly Romans. brown Siciians
| Sons of Naples, swarth and brave.
| Noble fellows from Abruzz.
| And Emians. pensive fral,
Liguran traders. Calabrese,
.sardnians. proud and pale
| Music. then. OF drum and buge.
| Tramp of men hundred score
Tender voices bravely singing,
| patriotic Hymn once mere
| Tuscan conscripts yet unshaven.
| Lancers gay with fash OF plume;
Titan faced Italian mobiles
| Marching nobly to their doom.
Eager blue-cad Bersagleri.
Alpine troopers dressed In gray,
| Volunteers In simple tunic.
| Carbinecrs in dark array.
| Staff officials all a-glitter,
| Handsome chasseurs robed in white
Horsemen. sweeping DER the hlroad
| Warriors anxious for the fight.
Clash Of sabre, TIT OF wine flask.
| As the banner Of Italia,
Frightening thro' the night. appears
| War is sickly work at best
| Lighting fires 'gainst marsh fever,
Clouds OF gnats ut heaving chest
Comrades falling dead from sunstrokc,
| In the scorching OF the noon.
Agge,,shakints , ehii Is, at nigh Nighttime
. Swarrns Of ants. that hov'ring, settle
| In the gap OF toes and ear,
Noisy buzzing Of mosquitoes
Fare OF hard. black bread made sweeer
| BY the burden OF a song
Or "A tale from bold Boccaccio.
OF old loves and heroes strong.
| Who shall push aside tho curtain
! or the morning yet 10 rise.
| OF an army signalize?
Fought they bravey? Ay. til MOSES
Green and hPbage ran win blood.
| TIL the woods were blue with bullets,
/ The ravine a scarlet food.
| Circling, sweeping, thro the darkness
| Rush,d the tribes OF Menelek
| Thry the gloom Of dawn In silence.
| Swiftly massed the foemen thick
Ano Is II from out nights eavsrns