El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-20
D'ANNUNZTO'S DARING COUP At FTUAIE
EVERYBODY BUT HIM

An EXTRAORDINARY situation has been brought about
by the seizure Of the city of Fiume by Italian forces
under command Of Capt Gabrielle DAnnunzo. It was
done without the sanction Of the Italian government and
violation Of the decision Of the Paris conference Of
allies which awarded Fume to JugoSlava in spite of the
determined earnest and repeated pleas Italy made for
the possession Of the seaport city Italy is embarrassed
by D'Annunzios coup The allies very much embar-
rassed Only DAnnunzo and his 10000 Italian troops
not embarrassed Cool cucumbers they sitting tight
in Fiume which they have annexed" to Italy and
waiting for something to happen. They have fortified
the city and have intenched the line which they
marked separating Fiume from Jugo-Savia They
have been in Fume almost and show no intention
Of obeyng the order from general headquarters Italy
their former duty They rely intense public
sentiment IN Italy sentiment heartily in favor Of Italian
tenure Of Fiume, to support them.
The perplezity Of the Italian government is easy to
understand Fiume is city with preponderant Italian
population, good port and protection to
the Italian coast depending whether or not Italian
hold it. Fume had been promised Italy by
Of the understandings entered into by the allies
before the United States entered the When Mr.
Wilson went into the peace conference with his "A points
and his stand for self determination peoples what
government they should have, Italy retained confidence
that Fume would be hers in spite Of the counter claims
OF the JugoSavs vote Of the people of Fume showed
almost unanimous desire for annexation to Italy There
self determination.
France and Great Britain willing enough for
Italy to have Fiume but president Wilson baked the
project by declaring that the character Of the population
Of Fiume basis for self determination He
said that although there undoubtedly large Italian
population in Fiume the rest of it Sav and the
country roundabout Fiume full Of Slavs So the
Savs ought it. especially since JugO-Slavia needed
the port outlet and Of receiving imports
He lined up France and Great Britain in his support Italy
threatened withdraw from the peace conference and
premier Orlando returned to Rome to sound the sentiment
of his people Italians Of all classes vociferous in
their demand for Fume On the other hand the Italian
government realized that could not oppose the allies and
finally had yield All Of Italy has been resentfu OF
the Fiume award President Wilson, acclaimed in
the modern savior Of the world has been Teyied
BY the Italians since the Fiume incident.
And now comes DAnnunzios coup. What is to be done
about 1t? Thursday the last day allowed for Dan
nunzios return with his troops to the lines fixed by the
armstice but DAnnunZio still IN Fiume that day,
giving intmaon that he intended to obey. Further
more action acclaimed among the masses through
out Italy. He appealed to Victor Hugos France, Millions
England and Lincoln's America" to back him up.
There is rumor emanstng from Paris that the British
and French governments would be willing let Italy keep
Fiume If president Wilson would agree to it, especially
since the people Of Fiue have welcomed DAnnunzio so
and that representations being made
to president Wilson to agree to change Of award.
That is not be expected It would make the peace
conference ridiculous weaken the power Of the League Of
Nations all time since the peace conference not only
paved the way but set the pace for the League Of Nations
and nfuriate the JugoSavs to armed resistance They
might 20 and take Fiume from the Italians and what would
happen then? Would the allies again themselves
and award Fiume to the Slavs7
Wilson and the allies VIII stand on their original award