FIUME.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1919, Page 5

FIUME.

D'ANNUNZIO'S ©LUSTER.

[ WILL RESIST TO THE END. • ' GOVERNMENT BLOCKAD& COMPLETE. ; i By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 20. The Daily Express' correspondent interviewed D'Annunzio, whose army is being constantly reinforced. The number of volunteers has reached 11,000. D'Annunzio declared that the warships in the harbor placed themselves tit his disposal. He feols 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 before he went under. The whole escapade so far had been bloodless, not a shot being fired.—United Service. Received 'Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m.

! Milan, Sept. 20. The Government's naval and military blockade of Fiume has been declared complete. Nevertheless peasants continue to bring in foodstuffs. D'Anntmio has put the population on rations.— Times 'Service. ENTHUSIASM AMONG ITALIANS. D'ANNUNZIO THE HERO OF THE HOUR. Received Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rome, Sept. 18. Telegrams from Milan state that D'Annunzio's exploit has caused extraordinary enthusiasm in Italy, the people entirely approving of tha annexation, 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 2600 troops participated in the raid. The majority were misled by false representations that the Government was inclined to.be lenient towards them.—Argus Service. , _ Paris, Sept. IS. ; D'Annunzio's comic opera exploits continue. To-day he seized Cnssanova, the Admiral whom the Italian Governj ment sent to recall the crews of the warship at Fiume to duty. When Admiral Cassaiiova arrived jD'Annunzio placed machine-guns on the jetty and sent Commandant Reina, chief |of the staff at the port, on board the Admiral's cruiser. The white-haired Admiral demonstrated with the rebels, and threatened to employ force unless the Italian warships followed him. Reina replied: "No one will follow you, except the officers of your own staff." Admiral Cassanova looked round and saw no one to support him. He then submited, went ashore, and is now a nominal prisoner at D'Annunzio's palace, —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, A DISSERVICE TO ITALY. TROOPS ORDERED TO RETURN. Received Sept. 21, 11.35 p.m. Rome, Sept. 20. Signor Nitti informed the Chamber of Deputies that the situation at Fiume was serious. No worse service could have been rendered Italy, who already had been wrongfully accused of Imperialism. D'Annunzio commanded ,'iGOO troops, who were mostly misled. Those not returning to the depots within live days would be declared deserters.—Aus. N.Z Cable Assoc.