POET AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1920, Page 5

POET AT WAR.

FIGHTING AT FIUME. ITALIANS ATTACK INSURGENTS, ; HEAVY LOSSES REPORTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 2S, 7.55 p.m. Rome, Dec. 27. .News that fighting was begun on the Fiume front on Christmas Eve, withheld for several days, caused a sensation amongst the public. The newspapers deplore the fracticidal conflict, but strongly support the Government. Regulars advanced on the whole front without firing, until the legionaries opened an attack, and the advance was temporarily checked at Susack the legions blowing up a bridge. After threehours' heavy fighting the losses on botli sides are reported to be heavy. D'Annunzio crushed two attempts at insurrection amongst the population of Fiume. Some legionaries are deserting and joining the regulars.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. CHRISTMAS EVE BATTLE'. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE BY FIRE. TROOPS ENTER FIUME. Received Dec. 28, 10.5 p.m. Rome, Dee. 28. The troops of General Ferraro attacked the outskirts of Fiu'me on Christmas Eve. D'Annunzio ordered that all the woods encircling the city should be burned, and lamentable destruction ensued, including a number of public buildings. Later field guns and armored cars joined in the battle.

Alpini, moving from Caatrano, broke d'Annunzio's left wing and entered Fiume, where they occupied Danubiusyard. The regulars then found themselves under the fire of hundreds of ma-chine-guns. and there were many casualties on both sides. Motor lorries laden with wounded are arriving at Coho. iyAnnunzio is continually sending out violent proclamations inciting his troops and the cituens of Fiume to fight to the last. There are rumors that he is wounded. ' The destroyer Espero, which went over to d'Annunzio. was destroyed by violent fire from Government warships.—Aua. and X.Z. Cable Assn. D'AXXOTZIO KILLED. REPORT IN FT 'ME DISPATCH. DEATH DCRIXG FIGHT. Received Dec. 28, 10.30 p.m. Rome, Dec. 27. According to a dispatch from Fiume, d'Annnnzio was killed while trying to prevent a fight between legionaries and regulars.—Au«. and N.Z. Cable Assn. ZARA CAPTURED. AFTER FIVE DAYS' SIEGE Paris, Dee. 27. The Foreign Office has been advised 1 that six were killed and many wounded in the fighting around Fiume. Rome, Dec. 27. The legionaries at Zara on the 25th captured the small war vessel Marsala. The crew refused to mutiny and the torpedo boats were ordered to retake or sink the Marsala. The captors surrendered the vessel and themselves. The regulars besieged Zara for five days and the legionaries capitulated after fighting in which several regulars were killed and 25 wounded.

THE POET HEMMED IN". Rome, Deo. 28. Italian regulars have reached the outskirts of Fiume and are gradually closing in on the poet's stronghold. It is expected the city will be taken during the next 48 hours. A dispatch from Udine states that General Cavigilia's regulars, advanced without firing a shot in a combined land and naval movement to surround Fiume. D'Annunzio's men retired and iiis aviation field was captured.