"FROM BAD TO WORSE"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 12, 9 October 1919, Page 5

"FROM BAD TO WORSE"

DRIFT OF THE ITALIAN SITUATION POET IRREPRESSIBLE FIGHTING WITH THE JUGOSLAVS Br Telegraph-Press Association—Oogyrlgbi London, October 7. Tho Italian situation is drifting from bad to worse. Every indication iu semi-oiTid-il Italian sources points to d'Annunau attempting to form a Venetian Republic, if he is left alone much longer. D'Annunzio says lie is strong enough to decree a new country in the Northern Adriatic, should the Italian Government move asainst him. ' The Koine correspondent of the "Times" describes Italian sentiment as so disturbed and turbulent that tho peoplo iive anxious. to fight somebody, preferably the Serbs; but otherwise, Homeoiid else. Sane statesmanship is urgently required- A pitched battle occurred ■•it Spaiato, on the armistice line, between the Serbians iind Italians. The Italians crossed tho lino and tool; eoruo Serbians prisoner, and firing then began. Two hundred were killed , . The American cruiser Pittsburir and two destroyers have Rone to Spaiato. The JuRO-Slav military classes 1880 to 1896 have been mobilised, and four batteries are proceeding to I'iume. An American correspondent at Zagreb stales that tho Serbian propaganda is working up the people, who believe that war with Italy is inevitable The situation at Ifiume would savour of comic opera if it were Ims serious. D'Aiiminzio talks -endlessly. When weariness compels him to spend a day in bed. which is- frequent, ho issues proclamations from his bedside. The food situation is becoming embarrassiiii?. The soldiers get enough, but the civilians go short. Pastry - ' has disappeared, and black bread lias replaced white. The townspeople are compelled to contribute towards the upkeep of .the soldiers, who enforce levies. D'Anminzio believes that a Serbian al'ack is imminent. Jugo-Slavs massed at Bucari wear favours inscribed "Fiunie or Death." which is the motto of d'Annunzio's followers. The leaders say that only instructions fvom Belgrade prevent them "tossing the Italians into the sea." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.