New-York tribune., 1920-12-28
Italians Aim at Palace
and Barracks, Seek to
Spare Civilians; De-
stroyer of Poet Is Sunk
Deny D'Annunzio
Injury or Deatl,
Rebels Blow Up Bridges,
Mine Big Buildings and
Threaten to Raze Town

TRIESTE, Dec 27 (By The Associated
Press).-The regulars under General
Caviglia are bombarding Fiume in com
blnatlon with the navy. A systematic
siege is under way. The guns are
being directed against the barracks,
the palace and similar buildings. the
intention being to damage the city as
little possible.
The destroyer Espero, which recent
ly deserted to D'Annunzio's side, has
been sunk by q shell from the cruiser
Andrea Doria.
The poets resistance is Of the most
dogged nature. The casualties among
the regulars are estimated at so killed
and 100 wounded. The wounded in
clude several carabineer officers The
rebel forces have blown up four
bridges over the Recina.
Threaten to Blow Up Town
The Legionnaires in the city, using
electric drills, are boring holes under
the principal buildings in the leading
thoroughfares through which the in
vading troops must pass and are min
ing them. They say it is their inten-
ton to blow up the town rather than
surrender it.
The forces investing Fiume have
been reorganized and reinforced. An
other Fiuman airplane was captured
to-day, making the fourth that has
fallen into the hands Of the govern
ment troops.
The Mayor of Fiume and another of
fetal have arranged for an interview
with the commander Of the Abbazia
Division Tuesday,
DAnnunzio Reported Wounded
LONDON, Dec. q. D'Annunzio is
said to have been slightly wounded,
according to the Mitan correspondent Of
The Times.
A report from Fiume, by way of
Rome, that D'Annunzio had been killed
while trying to prevent Il light between
his legionraires and Italian regulars
is officially denied, the correspondent
adds.
Fierce fighting is proceeding in the
environs of Fiume, say dispatches to
The Times from Milan The losses to
the regulars are very heavy, among the
casualties being two colonels mortally
wounded.
D'Annunzio flew over the lines Sun
day, dropping leaflets from his air
plane, melting the regulars to deser-
ton. The poets troops have trans
formed the houses in the public gar
dens into machine gun nests. which
have been effective in stopping the
governme forces. All the main streets
are defended by barbed-wire bar
ricades.
Fight With Armored Car
An instance is related IN which the
legionnaires made a desperate stand
in an armored car, which the regulars
succeeded in seizing after killing three
and wounding two of the occupants.
The resistance encountered by Cavig-
las troops apparently is unexpectedly
strong and the capture Of Fiuma has
been considerably delayed by the poets
defence.
One report says that an attempt at
revolt by citizens of Fiume has been
repressed with bloodshed by the re-
gency government. cara, Dalmatian
port south of Fiume, has capitulated
TO government forces operating against
D'Annunzio, according to Central
news UlSpaLCu. nc SuITcllueT OC-
CURED after d siege lasting several
days.
A Stefani dispatch from Rome says
that company Of Alpini has been am
bushed and captured by the Fiuman
Legionnaires. Many are said to have
been wounded when the Alpini offered
stubborn resistance after they were
taken prisoners through ruse, their
captors having pretended that they
wished to surrender.
ANCONA, Italy, Dec. 27.-A steamer
has arrived at cara with the Rsmondo
and Carnaro battalions on board. All
the men were disarmed and are being
closely watched by Carabineers. The
Royal Guards barracks arc being pre-
pared for the purpose Of holding the
men prisoners there.
Venice Flags at Half-Staf
VENICE, Dec 27.-The reports of the
death Of D'Annunzio spread quickly
throughout Venice to-day. The Italian
colors in st. Martin Square were inme-
diately put at half-staff and shortly
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