FIGHTING AT FIUME.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 309, 28 December 1920, Page 5

FIGHTING AT FIUME.

POET'S POSITION ATTACKED. SIXTY KILLED IN BATTLE. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Received 11.30 a.n_) ROME, December 27. The Italian regular forces are rapidly closing in on Fiume, and are now fighting for possession of the town. In today's battle sixty were killed and many others wounded. In an official reply to d'Annunzio's offer to evacuate certain islands if left in undisturbed possession of Fiume, the Italian Government states that it will take steps to make the blockade of Fiume absolutely effective. Advices from Trieste state that Italian regular troops have reached the outskirts of Fiume, and are gradually closing in on tlie poet's stronghold. It is expected that the city will be taken in the next 48 hours. A dispatch from Udine states that General Cavigilia's regular troops advanced without firing a shot in a combined land and naval movement to surround Fiume. D'Annunzio's men retired, and his aviation park was captured.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) THE ZAKA COUP. ROUT OF THE LEGIONARIES. (Received 11.30 a.m.) ROME, December 27. The Legionaries of Zara, who have been imitating d'Annunzio, captured a small war vessel, the Marsala, on Christmas day, the crew of which refused to mutiny. Torpedoera were ordered to retake or sink the Marsala. The captors surrendered the vessel and themselves. Regulars besieged Zara for five days, and the Legionaries capitulated after fighting, in which five regulars were killed and twenty-five wounded.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)