The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-30
ITALIANS SPEAK ON
SEIZURE OF F|UME
Local Citizens of Italian
Birth Declare Fiume Be-
longs to Italy


italians in Birmingham. as well as
throughout the world. are watching
with feverish interest and anxiety the
situation created by the forcible seiz-
ure of Fiume by DAnnunzio and his
irregular troops. The landing of Amer
lean marines on the Dalmatian coast
and the crisis in the Italian govern
tnent caused by the Fiume question
fhas aroused the keenest interest
among local members of the Italian
colony While making no criticism of
the stand taken by President Wilson
on the Fiume matter. and expressing
the highest respec. for his honor and
sincerity, local Italians. without ex-
ception. seem to hold that Italy is en-
titled to Fiume.
That the majority of the people OF
Fiume are Italians. that they are Ital-
ian ir their customs and ideals, that
they speak the Italisn language and
that they almost without exception de-
sire to be united to Italy is the con-
tention of local Italians.
Capt. S. Catanzano, formerly a cap
tain in the Italian army and at pres
eHC steamship agent III biTIllillS udlil loi
the Italian line, expressed himself very
emphatically on the subject. There
is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that
Italy is entitled to Fiume and to the
entire Adriatic district" he said 1--WE
should have been awarded it at the
peace conference. However, we do not
blame President Wilson for its loss, but
England and France.
I'VE all think there is no finer man
Ant q 1O Oh
have Fiume. / think so and all the
Italians in Birmingham think So The
same is true in Italy. D'Annunzio has
the support of every citizen of italy
Ain his seizure of Fiume because they
all know that he has taken only what
Italy should have. 1t is unfortunate
that such necessity arose, but it does
not seem to be that the United States
will be drawn into any serious diff
culties on account of it,"
G. LAMA of LAMA Bros, wholesale
fruit dealers, says that justice is on the
side of DAnnunzio. Italians. are the
same the world over" in his opinion.
"Fiume mas always been Italian in Ian
guage and ideals; the majority of the
population are Italian. Therefore, it
is only right and just that it should be-
long to Italy.
II will not go SO far as to say that
D'Annunzo is justified in taking the
law in his own hands, but I do think
that he is trying to gain no more than
Italy is entitled to and 1 know that all
Italians everywhere wish him every
success"
A. M. Romeo. a local Italian mer-'
chant. says: Il love this U. S. A. in
which l am living today. and think it
is the greatest country on the face
of the globe. I also pay MY respects
to the allied nations. but I cannot
agree with them in that Fiume should
be the holding of any other nation ex-
cept Italy. / sincerely hope that Italy
stays in possession % Fiume, without
bloodshed." &
II am not particularly pleased at
the way DAnnunzio took the law in
his own hands and captured Fiume,
but / am we'll pleased that Italy is
now in possession OF the city, and no
ather country has as much right to It
as Italy" states G.. S. Barranco,
prominent member of local italian
society.
at is our native land. 1t belongs
to Italy and Italy alone. and I believe
that it is mot within the power of
Juso-Slayia to take it away from her"
II think that every Italian soldier
will defend Fiume 10 the last man,
and I think that the majority of the
Italians of this community, as we'll as
myself, look upon Annunzlo as one
of the great men of Italy. If there
is anything in my power that I can
do to assist in any way, I will be only
too glad to do so. Needless to say, we
are in hearty approval of his action"
stated Joe Buzzanca. an italian mer-
chant Of this city, when asked as %
his opinion of the Fiume question.
The italians of New York City have
organized subscription committee
and have to date subscribed 1886
lire, which is equivalent to about $4,000
in American money. to send to d An-
nunzio. not that he Is in need of the
money, but to prove to him that, come
what may, we over here are ready to
serve him. The prominent Italian men
of this city may soon form commit
tee similar to the one now in New
York. and I will certainly contribute
ray share"