New-York tribune., 1919-12-27
Italy Gives No
Line Guarantee.
Says D'Annunzio
Proclamation to Fiume Peo.
pie Refers to Suspension
of Plebiscite; Failure to
Keep Armistice Line Seen

F1UME, Dec. 81 Delayed ).-Gabriele
D'Annunzio to-day issued a proclama-
tion to the people referring to the sus-
pension of the plebiscite on Friday
The proclamation was couched in flow
cry language. 1t contended that the
Italian government was unwilling to
give a definite guarantee as to the re-
tention Of Italian troops on the armis-
tice line.
"The government" said D'Annunzio
"has declared that it intends to keep
entirely to the line Of the armistice,
but it refuses publicly or secretly to
add the word definitely The armis-
which the armstcs abolishes. Who
can say to-day to what point it will
be withdrawn under the implacable
power of the Allied and associated
governments ?"
D'Annunzio repeated part of a
speech made by him on October "a, in
which he declared that without Idra,
Postonia, the San Petro Railroad
junction and Castelnuovo the Italian
boundaries would be exposed to a
Continental struggle. "Now," said
~ -AiiAuiiAiO All Cuc pIOClduldJlOH, tno
government does not want to take the
responsibility for the railroad through
San Peitro from Fiume to Trieste,
much less for the railroad to Longa-
tico"
Th proclamation recalled the VOW
taken by the people of the islands of
the adjacent archipelago and the peo-
pie of F'iume mutually, and added that
the proposal of the government would
leave Veglia and Arbe islands outside
the line of demarcaton, while the re-
mainder of the archipelago would be
exposed to enemy attack.
"To-day we all cry, 'We will not
abandon you, brothers, The line of
mark which a wave makes upon the
sand and which stronger wave etfaces.
1t was necessary that the will Of the
people should be expressed. A plebi-
scite was ordered. 1t was decreed not
for the purpose Of bringing about
disagreement, but for purposes Of pac-
fcation; not for the joy of ambiguity,
but to seek the truth"
The proclamation gave no further cx-
planation on the suspension of the
plebiscite and no information as to
what course is to be pursued in the
future.
ROME, Dec 26-The War Council
mot to-day under the presidency of
Premier Nitti. Besides the Foreign
Minister and the Ministers of the Treas
ury, War and Navy, the council in
cluded the chief Of the general staff,
General Badoglio, who has just re-
turned from Triest with reports of the
negotiations with Gabriel d'Annunzio.
Great Importance is attached to this
meeting of the council, the decisions of
which have been kept strictly secret.
ROME, Dec. 26.--Fiume continues to
monopolize most Of the Italian news
papers, which are rather imperfectly
informed concerning the developments
there, but which declare that the resi-
dents of the Adriatic town have become
tired Of Gabrielle d'Annunzio and want
its future definitely decided.
The "Messagero" says: "Amid so
many proposals the people of Fiume
are tired and are invoking a speedy
solution Of the situation which will
give them freedom and at the same
time an immediate return to work and
tranquility"
The "Giornale dItaha" appears to-
under the heading, Communication
from Command at Fiume." Comment
ing on the situation the "Giornale
dItalia" says: premier Nitti is leav-
ing the beginning of January for Paris.
If the big question is settled from the
internal viewpoint, will this help him
with the Allies?"