The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-08
PROF|TEER is HIT
Italian Ruler Issues Order for
Severe Punishment.
Government Takes Steps To
Prevent Anarchy Spread.
SEVEN DEAD IN RIOT AT FIUME
New Outbreaks Occur Between
French and Italians.
Prices Are Cut in Florence
Bargain Hunters Busy.
SEVEN DEAD IN RIOT At FIUME

London, July S.-King Victor En-
manuel of italy has issued a decree
that profiteers will be in future fined
ten thousand lire or sentenced to from
three months to three years in prison
and will in addition suffer confisca-
ton of the goods, according to a Rome
dispatch to. the EXCHANGE Telegraph
company. Unauthorized middlemen
dealing in food will suffer similar
punishment, it is said.
The dispatch states that a general
strike was declared in Naples on Mon
day. After footing outlying stores in
the city, a crowd attempted to reach
the center of the place, but was pre-
vented by the police VINO were oc-
cupying the principal thorofares.
Seven Killed at Fiume.
Rome, July 7.-Seven French SOL
diers were killed and enty injured
in new outbreaks between the French
and Italians at Fiume, according to
dispatches received from that city
today.
In describing the fight. the Milan
correspondent of the Corriere Della
Sierra reported that the trouble started
when a few drunken French soldiers
opend fire on a passerby. A large
crowd gathered and one Frenchman
was killed.
A company of italian marines,
landed from cruisers. was attacked by
a number of French soldiers who
wounded one Of the marines. Mer-
chant sailors attacked the Frenchmen
who fled and barricaded themselves in
a store, re-opening fire from the win
dows. The mob returned the fire and
seven Frenchmen were killed and
twenty injured. One merchant sailor
was killed. Several Italian soldiers
who rushed to restore order were
wounded.
Commission to Investigate.
Paris July s.-A commission COM
posed of four generals, representing
France, Italy, England and the United
States, has been appointed to investi-
gate the recent incidents at Fiume.
The supreme council of the peace con-
ference has also decided TO appoint a
committee of four members to inquire
into Norway's claims to Spitzbergen.
Swarm to Bargains"
(By the Associated Press.)
Florence. Sunday, July 6.-All the
business houses of this city were over
run this morning with bargain hunt
ers who sought to take advantage of
the price reduction decree here. Many
stores had completely sold out their
stocks before noon. The correspond
ent visited thickly settled sections of
the city today and saw the eagerness
of men, women and children, seeking
to secure eatables, clothing, dry goods.
shoes and chocolate. These articles
were sold only on the presentation of
a card from the projects office SO that
only residents of Florence will be able
to benefit from the price reduction.
1t was learned today that working
mems committees deliberately chose
the stores they wished to have ram
sacked. These included places which
were alleged to have violated govern
mental regulations and war restric-
tions in selling prohibited articles of
food at exorbitant prices. thereby
making fabulous profits.
The kings commissioner for Flor
ence issued proclamation today
placing the population on rations and
decreeing reductions in prices approx
mating 10 per cent in eatables. Res
taurants and cafes were ordered to
lower their rates 80 per cent.
Anarchist Plot in Rome.
Rome, July S.-An anarchist plot to
attack the central part of Rome by
means of hand grenades and other eX-
plosives has been exposed by the arrest
hours before the time fixed for carry
ing out the plans.
About the same time thirty anarch-
lists motored to Fort Pratalata. four
miles from Rome. and tried to induce
the garrison to join in an attack on
the Rome market places. The soldiers
fired on the anarchists and seized sew
eral of them. The others fled. The
city remains tranquil.