THE FIUME FARCE

Evening Star, Issue 17154, 22 September 1919, Page 4

THE FIUME FARCE

MAY BECOME TRAGIC. POET LEADS "THE* POPULACE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, September 18. Telegrams from Milan state that Signor Gabriele d’Annunzio’s exploit has caused extraordinary, enthusiasm in Italy, the people entirely .approving of annextion, despite the Government’s- warning that it will cause a bad impression abroad. The hero of the hour is toasted at every feast and banquet. . Inquiries show that only 2,600 troops participated in the raid. Tho majority were misled by false representations that the Government were inclined to bo lenient towards them. LONDON, September 20. Tho ‘ Daily Express’s ’ correspondent interviewed a Aimunzio, whose army is, being constantly .reinforced.. The number of volunteers has "reached 11,000. _,, d’Annunzio declared- that tho warships in the ‘harbor had .placed themselves; at his disposal. Ho feels his position secure, because the Government troops would not obey an order to attack. In any case, he would resist to the end. He came there to die in a fight to a finish, and would blow up Fiume befox-e he went under. The whole escapade so far has been bloodless, not a'shot having been fired. BLOCKADE OF FIUME. 1 The Times.’ MILAN, September_20. Tho Government’s naval and military blockade of Fiume is declared to be complete ; nevertheless the peasants continue to bring in foodstuffs. d’Annunzio has put tho imputation on rations. A BAD SERVICE TO ITALY. ROME, September 20. Signor Nitti informed the Chamber of Deputies that the situation at Fiume was sei'ious. No worse service could have been rendered to Italy, which was already wrongfully accused of Imperialism. d’Annunzio commando* 3,600 troops, who were mostly misled by the statement that those not* returning to tho depots within five days would be declared deserters.