The sun., 1919-09-19
HUGO D'ANNUNZIO
DEFENDS FATHER
warrior-Poet Would Sacri-
flee Self Rather Than
Fiume, He Says.
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED
Saws Peace Conference Has
Not Given Italy Proper
Reward for Victory.

uuyo d.Annunzfo. son Of Gabrielle
rAnnmsio, the italian warrior, poet
ana novelist IN an exclusive interview
18th a representative Of the Associated
pr.s, here yesterday declared his
,Sher was a strong-willed and Intensely
--.,,,cal patriot who undoubtedly would
s.sortnce' himself rather than yield
r,un,e to the Jugo-Slavs.
suv father Is in a serious plight
ala Mr.. d'Annunzio, but ! am sure he
iii not Yield an inch In abandoning
h,s italian brothers in Fiume. They
have waited so long for deliverance 1t
.vould break their hearts for him to
Sssert them now. am sorry I am not
nv his side, for am a good italian
and sympathize with the cause he holds
50 dear"
The son OF tho great italian author
ras Mt first reluctant to express him
seH about his fathers exploit, other
than 10 emphasize the fact that the elder
DAnnunzio never had any personal
ar political ambition" and that his sole
reason for declaring the annexation OF
Tiume TO Italy was to satisfy tho SEN
tmental" aspirations Of the 100000
people Of Italy.
Fear Economic Pressure.
Opposition In the italian press and
among some politicians against ener-
retic action regarding Fiume Is due to
the fear that the Allies in retaliation
may use economic pressure over Italy"
he said. ITALY needs coal and raw ma
terals which she can only get from the
Allies. But Fiume is a sentimental
a. - 81
tlon. In proof of this It is only neces-
sary to recall what efforts Italy has
made to placate and mollify the Jugo-
SlavA
italians are perfectly well satisfied
that the Peace Conference has not ia
yored Italy In any way; in fact, my
country has continually been discrimi-
mated against.
Consider, IL you win. the case Of Ru-
mania There was the case of an in
vasion of Hungary by Government. not
Irregular forces, and there was only
half hearted protest. But let a band OF
patriotic Italians, with no feelings but
those Of affection for their long enslaved
fellow countrymen. seek to break the
yoke that binds them and Immediately
there goes up a roar of allied disap-
prevail
The people Of Fiumee, 90 per cent. of
them Italians, prayed for deliverance.
Ny father and his fellow patriots have
responded to their call and they will not
compromise with any power on earth."
The remarkable resuscitation Of
Italy after the Caporetto disaster Is q
matter Of great pride to all Italians, I"
said Mr.. dAnnunzio.
The extent of the achievements of
Italy, both during and since the war,
have never been sufficiently recognised
by the Allies" he declared. ITALY has
been forgotten at the Peace Conference,
but Italy viii determine her own destiny
on the basis Of Justice and fair dealing
Fiume is to Italy what any city OF Al
saes-Lorrains was to France. Suppose
the Peace Conference had said to
France: Wen let you have Alsace-
Lorraine. but you'll have to let Germany
keep Metz and Srassburg.'
The poets son further stated that
while he had not heard FROM his father
In nearly six weeks, he was of the opin-
lon that the Fiume expedition was well
supplied with food and arms, and thai
there was no immediate danger of his
fathers army of 10000 men being
starved out"
1T is an exaggeration TO refer to my
father as a dreamer and theorist and to
say that his present adventure is the
result Of poetical exaltation." he de.
elared. MY father is practical and be-
lieyes in no half measures. II he starts
a thing he always sees It through. 1t Ii
a part Of his nature. never knew a
man Of stronger resolution, and sub
nit that his career as q soldier in this
war raises him above the petty criticism
of his anarnfaa