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Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1919, Page 5

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' HOM BAD TO WORSE, gANNUNZBys Venetian f ' " REPUBLIC. .SERBIAN; ATTACK IMMINENT-JUGO-SLAVS MOBttISED. *J-Telept,ph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtit. Received Oct. 8, 2.45 p.m. London, Oct. 7; The Italian situation ig drifting from ba4 to 'won*. There is every indication, according to semi-official Italian sources dwarfed from EPAnnonzio's staff, tb|t r/As*«izi» will attempt to form ft Venetian Republic if left alone much .logger. He says he is strong enough to ddree that the new country in the northern Adriatic should be Italian, and tUt the Government will not move a*jnst him. The Times' Rome correspondent desfcrftes Italian sentiment as so disturbed and turbulent that the people are antious to fight somebody, preferably thji Serbs, otherwise someone else. Sane Statesmanship is urgently'required. A pitched battle occurred at Spalato. bit the armistice line, between Serbia and Italy. The Italians crossed the ii* and took prisoner some Serbs, after wliich firing began, 200 being killed. .The American cruiser and t*> destroyers, hare gone to Spalato. . The Jugo Slav military classes of 1880 tot 1896 have been mobilised, and four batteries are proceeding to Frame. An American correspondent at Zagreb '(4 gram) states Serbian propaganda is working up the people, who believe that Wljr with Italy is inevitable. The situation at Fiume would savor of, a cdmic opera if the Letts were bsHoub. D'Annunzio talks endlesslyWhen fatigue compels him to spend a d*y in bed, which is frequent, he issues proclamations from his bedside. The food situation if become embarrassing. The soldiers get enough, but tbe civilians go short. Pastry has disappeared and black bread has replaced tie white. The townspeople are cornpalled to contribute to the upkeep of the paldiers, who enforce levies. D'Annunzio believes a Serbian attack imminent. The Jugo Slavs have massed at Bucari. They wear favors inscribed "Fittme or. death," which is also the motto of ryAnaunzio'B followers. The leaden say that only instructions from Belgrade prevent them from tossing the Italians into the sea.—United Service.