King Humbert has been determined all through, and has appointed
a Ministry of Affairs, with the Marquis Rudini, a Sicilian, as Premier, the Duke of Sermoneta as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and General Ricotti as Minister of War. They are all opposed to "adventure" in Africa, but all agree that before peace can be made King Menelek must be defeated. They have decided, therefore, to ask for a loan, to raise the army in Africa to forty thousand men, and after the rains to commence a second and, they hope, more successful campaign. Assurances have been received from Berlin and Vienna that Italy shall be protected while hostilities last, and even the French, who cannot stir till the Czar's coronation is over, in June, profess friendliness "now that Crispi has fallen." Even the Pope, we are told, was bitterly moved by the disaster, and suspended a Te Deum which had been ordered, while the Sicilians displayed a transport of grief. The desertions, however, have been numerous ; and the populace, while sullenly acknowledging that the disaster must be retrieved, are angrily opposed to the idea of conquering Abyssinia. They say it will bring them nothing except death and hardship for their children in the army.
