New-York tribune., 1920-12-26
D'Annu1lzio's
Troops Said To
Be DESERVING, g,
Blockade Causes Legion
na;res to Return to
Italy; Many Citizens Also
Are Quitting the City
Food Shortage Hits Towns
Mining of Delta at Port
of Barros Is Considered:
Poet Is Growing Nervous

TRIESTE. Dec. % (By The Associ-
ated Press) Many of the legionnares
N the command Of Gabrielle d'Annunzio
ere said to realize now the impossi-
bility OF being loyal both to their com
mander and their native country. 1t
is reported that fifteen Bersaglier LEFT
Fiume immedia iatey before General
Caviglias blockade was instituted, go
ing to Italy.
The poets torpedo boats at Fiume
are kept moving constantly and the
dea of mining the delta at the port
Of Barros is again being considered.
The more bellicose OF the legionnaires
are accumulating stores of arms and
machine guns behind the frontier lines
Although most Of the population 5
convinced that actual b,oodshed be-
tween them and the Italian soldiers is
impossible, many have let tne city,
passing through the Jugo-Slav suburb
Of Sussak to Abbazia and other coast
towns.
Towns Feel Food Scarcity
Fiume, Arbe, Veglla and San Marcos
are already eg.nnlng to feel the scar
city of food as result of the blockade.
The greater part of d 'Annunzlo
troops are remaining in their barracks
at iume and their oincerS are IN d.
rect Communication wich the poet, VINO
looks after the military as wei as tle
political affairs 9. the be4eaeue ed
city.
Immediately after o-o.a1 notice of
the lockade was gwen t. the Regency
of Quarnero" the Italian general, re-
iario, who already had group of sol
diers posted around tne fiume tron
tier, closed in upon the city, barring
all exit on three sides. For about LOO
yards out Of the city the railway
tracks were removed, stopping tlaaic
into the city. The roads Immediately
outside were torn up and those cross
ing the frontiers were barred with
cree trunks and wire entang ements.
Here and there t-enches have been
dug, from which patrols are keeping a
lookout.
Regular troops surround the block
ade line at short intervals, royal
guards and carabineers hold the sea
line, while Alpine troops dominate tre
city from tie northeastern heights
Gus spot. however. is the mouth of the
river Recina.
D'Annunzio, according to informa-
ton leaking out OF Fiulne. Is virtually
JaEing no rest, and is displaying great
nervous activity in the work Of de-
feF e. He is irparting orders, giving
ad &c. writing proclamations and re-
cit g aloud.
The poet-commander is highly indig-
rart about some OF the conditions in
General Caviglia's utimatum, espe-
cially that pertaining TO the dsband-
rent Of mis- legionaries which he con-
slders an outrageous otFense to the in
dependence Of the regency which, he
declares. has d right TO form an arm
for its own defence, even with foreign
dcre in the case of their foreign
legions.
Meanwhile the blockade has caused q
grent increase in the pr ces of q neces-
saries, some of which have reached
fantastic sums, as, owing to the danger
Of starvation, many of the people have
purchased large stocks Of food. Tins
Of preserved milk, for instance, have
entirely disappeared from the market,
while fresh milk is not coming in
from the neighboring country, which is
occupied by the Italisn forces. Meat
. food of extraordinary luxury.
Measures, however, have been adopted
TO punish inscriptions shopkeepers
and also food hoariers.
Since the blockade was Instituted
nobody has been able to enter Fiume.
Many have been obliged TO turn back.
some Of them being parents desirous Of
entering the city 50 that they might
persuade their sons to return to the
regular army and cease assisting in
plans contrary to law
The number Of persons requiring to
De led in Fiume is $1,000 approx
nately, while the regency is believed
70 have accumulated rations only suifi-
cient for $4,000 for two weeks. This
has contributed greatly to the deprcs-
sion of the citizens, who are reluctant
20 endure privations and suffering even
20 Insure independence
National Council Divided
Many Of the leaders Of the National
council during the struggle in opposi-
lion TO international attacks against
ne ltalianity of Fiume are row di-
vioed between the gratitude they feel
'oward d'Annunzio for hi, services and
The conviction that the Treaty Of Ra-
pallo has gained for Fiumc all her
interests II not all her ideals How
cver, even these men are not likely to
influence d'Annunzio. who keeps him
self entirely aloof. not coming even
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