The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-10-12
|TALy'S LAST
PREVIOUS WAR
Il Was In Abyssinia, and She
Suffered Heavy Losses.
FIGHTING lasted FOR YEARS,

Her Army Was Overwhelmed, and
Thousands of Dead Were Left on tho
FieId-Defeat Caused Downfall Of
the Italian Ministry.
Italy has transported her soldiery to
the northern coast of Africa before in
ages past, for all AIauretania, the land
of the Moors, was once a Roman PROV
ince. Tripoli was originally a Roman
colony, although there were inhabit-
ants before that epoch Of occupation
who were akin to the Berbers It was
Greek at one time, and its name, which
means "three cities," reveals it's Hell
lenic origin. In it's early days it relied
for protection on Carthage, later de-
stroyed by Rome, which was in the
neighboring Tunis. The Italians in
their desire to maintain the balance Of
power in the Mediterranean have al
ways held that they should have
sphere Of influence in the realms which
| lie across the sea from their own lands.
Fortune did not smile upon the last
| war in which Italy participated. When
England was engaged in 1884 in paci-
flying the Sudan, Italy was invited to
take part and to lay claim to an indu-
ence in Abyssinia. A large Italian ex-
petition was sent there a year later,
| and the red, white and green flag was
carried bravely into remote parts Of
the kingdom beyond the desert. Two
years later the Italian forces We're
overwhelmed by the army Of the ne
gus of Abyssinia, and 500 men were
left dead upon the field.
The defeat caused the downfall OF
the Italian ministry, and the whole ma
ton was aroused. Within short time
a credit Of the equivalent Of $5,OO0,OOO
had been voted and Italy was pledged
to extensive military operations. Re-
endorsements were hurried to Abys-
sinia, and no expense was spared to
retrieve the losses.
With Menelik was concluded q
treaty between Abyssinia and Italy
which contained clause which later
was to be the subject Of much discus
sion. It was concluded in 1889 at
Accialli and contained the clause, His
majesty the king Of kings Of Ethio-
pia consents to make use. of the gov
lment Of his majesty the king Of
lily for the treatment of all ques-
Ions concerning other powers, or gov
ernments.''
On the strength Of this Italy an
nounced that she had a protectorate
over Abyssinia. She established a
colony in certain territory given to
her under this treaty by Menelik and
gave it the name Of Eritrea: Coins
bearing the image Of the Italian; ruler
were prepared for this new colony:
Menelik, however, became suspicious
and soon regretted the signing Of the
treaty. He had addressed communi-
cations to- both Germany and England
that he was emperor of EthioPia,. and
in reply had been told that his notif-
cation should have been sent through
the Italian government. It occurred
to the monarch that the translation OF
his treaty had been faulty and: thai
lmerely meant to imply that he might
/ use the Italian government in his
foreign relations. He had these mis-
, lgivings first in 1898, and the question
of Interpretation puzzled him and TIN
Italians greatly. General Baratier
, |arrived in the territories: in. 1896, ab0u
; the time that General Toselli's force
]of 1000 men had been practically Gu
= to pieces by a force Of Abyssinian
!; ]twenty times its size:. General Bara
| |tieri found opposed to- him a force 0
I 100000 under Menel1k, most Of WHOM
= were armed with rifles. The force ha
plenty Of artillery. The Italians ha
' $4,000 men who were operating i
4 wild and mountainous country. and a
:, least 200 miles from a base of SUI
e ]plies.
s At this point the italian commando
: was in a quandary, and in order t
gain time he maneuvered from p1ac
by the government, and it was decit
e ed to send General Badisseria to SUI
l. plant him. The knowledge that al
rs other was to take his place and sha1
II message from the premier, Sign
s. Crispi, stirred General Baratirei
lg decisive action. His force was c
c. vided for attack into four part
~ Three columns were. sent against Ad
&C. wa and fourth was held in resery
m The three columns; were quickly !
I'D pulsed with great Loss, and the !
is serve column in the confusion viii
al followed was not of any use. T
generals Of the columns were captur
is, Or slain. The Italians left 5000 de
he upon the field and 1900 were tax
)Of lnrisoners. The loss produced cOnst