ITALY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16546, 22 September 1919, Page 3

ITALY.

THE RAID ON FIUME

D’ANNUNZIO STILL IN POSSESSION.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, LONDON, Sept. 20.

The Daily Express 1 correspondent interviewed D’Annunzio, whose army is being constantly n HK' her of volunteers has reacheu 11,u5u. D’Annunzio declared that the warships in tlie harbour placed themselves at his disposal. He feels his position secure, because the Government troops would not obey an order to attack. In any case he wou!d_ resist to tho end. He came there to die in a fight to a finish and would blow up Fiumo before he went under. The whole escapade so far had been bloodless, not a shot being- fired.—United Service. MILAN, Sept. 20. The Government’s naval and military blockade of Fiumo has been declared complete. Nevertheless peasants continue to bring in foodstuffs. D’Annunzio has put the population on rations.—Times Service.

ROME, Si.pt. 18. Telegrams from Milan states that D’Annunzio’s exploit has caused extraordinary enthusiasm in Italy, the people entirely approving of the annexation, desoite 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 2600 troops participated in the raid. The 1 majority were misled by false representations that the Government was inclined_to bo lenient towards them.—Argus Service. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. ROME, Sept. 20. Signor Nitti,, informed the Chamber of Deputies that the situation at Fiurne was serious. No worse service could have been rendered Italy, who already had been wrongfully accused of Imperialism. D’Annunzio commanded 3600 troops, who were mostly misled. Those not returning to the depots within five days would be declared deserters. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.