FRANCESCO CRISPI

Four days later following the urging of their government, the Italians attacked at Adowa and were badly beaten. Baratieri was sacked and court-marshaled but was acquitted. The telegram became historically famous for the political interference problems in military tactics and strategy. Most military observers believe that Baratieri was fighting a winning campaign as the Ethiopians had completely overextended their supply lines and had to forage off the land which was becoming bare. In a few days the Ethiopian army would have started drifting away. But the politicians in Italy wanted honor and a symbolic resounding defeat of the Ethiopians on the battlefield.

Four days later following the urging of their government, the Italians attacked at Adowa and were badly beaten. Baratieri was sacked and court-marshaled but was acquitted. The telegram became historically famous for the political interference problems in military tactics and strategy. Most military observers believe that Baratieri was fighting a winning campaign as the Ethiopians had completely overextended their supply lines and had to forage off the land which was becoming bare. In a few days the Ethiopian army would have started drifting away. But the politicians in Italy wanted honor and a symbolic resounding defeat of the Ethiopians on the battlefield.