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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19455, 14 October 1937, Page 5

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WISH OF D’ANNUNZIO PREPARED FOR THE BEARS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Prosit Assn.) ROME. Oct. 13. Gabriele d’Annunzio, Prince of Montenevoso, poet, novelist, and dramatist who is anxious to die in an original manner, once thought of being blown from the mouth-piece of a field gun. Recently he hinted that he would enter a bath of acid and dissolve. But now he wants to die at the North Pole. d’Annunzio says that he has asked General Guiseppe Valle, Under-Secre-tary for Air, to pilot him there when he feels that death is approaching and leave him on the ice. d’Annunzio told this to Signor Ugc Ojetti, a member of the Royal Academy, who said: “You won’t be long alone. The Polar bears will come and see you.” d’Annunzio replied: “I am prepared for the bears. I shall take jars of honey, so that they also will be happy' Gabriele d’Annunzio, who is 73 years of age, was born at Pescara, of Dalmatian extraction. His mother was the Duchess Maria Gallesa di Roma. He published hb first volume of poems at the age of 15, and poems and novels followed, rapidly making for him a reputation as one of the greatest ol modern Italian authors. He was in France when the Great War opened, but returned to Rome in May, 1915, fired with hatred against German vandalism. By his eloquence in speech and writings, he had a great influence in determining Italy to come in on the side of the Allies. He soon became a daring airman, and flew over enemy towns bombing Austrian troops, losing the sight of an eye as the result of an accident. In August, 1918, he led a flight of eight Italian aeroplanes over Vienna, dropping thousands of leaflets. He also fought on land. In 1919 he appeared as a new Garibaldi. Dissatisfied with the delay of the Peace Conference in deciding the future of Fiume, he led a raid thither in September, 1919, and occupied the port, which he annexed to Italy. He administered its affairs and issued flamboyant manifestoes. In November it was announced that he had occupied Zara, where he acted in a similar manner. In 1924 he was made Prince of Montenevoso. He now lives in retirement.