Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-27
Lines of D'Annunzio Forced
Back Into Outskirts of
City by Caviglia.
IN LAND AND SEA GRIP,
EXPECTED TO FALL SOON
Attacking Forces Steady Advance
Is From Three Directions,
Without Resistance.
by The Associated Press,

LONDON, December 27.-Itaiian gov
Vernment troops were today believed
10 be slowly closing the iron ring
around Fiume. where Capt. Gabrielle
Annunzio and his little force of
ieg1onnaires were standing siege.
Reports from the city have been
dieEs commanded by Gen. Caviglia
mad forced d'AnnunZio lines back into
the outskirts of the city, and that the
ran OF the city might not be long
delayed.
Land and sea forces arrayed against
toward the city yesterday. and advioes
lnoicated the grip they had taken had
reduced the legionnaireS in Ffume to
an almost hopeless position.
The land advance was made from
three directions, and did not encounter
any resistance. The d'Annunzian SOL
dlers fell back as the government
troops moved ahead. and it was de-
Clared the poet-soldier had directed
his officers not to open fire on the
advancing forces until he had person.
ally given orders to that effect. The
italian regulars were understood to
nave been under orders not to fire
unless they were compelled to do so.
Fall Of City Predicted.
ny the AsSocis ted Press
TRIESTE, December 26.-The ltal-
ian regulars have reached the fac
tories on the edge of Fiume and are
closing in gradually on the D'Annun-
zian stronghold. 1t is expected Fiume
will be taken this evening or tomor-
row morning.
Gen. Caviglia on Friday ordered the
occupation of advanced positions
around Fiume in consequence of re-
cent incidents and the threatening at
titude taken by D'Annunzio's legion
naires.
The poets soldiers resisted the ad-
vancing troops, who lost five men
killed and thirty wounded.
Retreat Without Resistance.
UDINE. Italy, December 24.-The
plan of Gen. Cayiglia is gradually to
tighten his grip on Fiume until
D'Annunzio is reduced to he1plessness.
Caviglia's men advanced today from
the north and occupied Grobnico.
Santa Croce and San Malta The
aviation field at Grobnico was cap
tured. The D,AnnunSio troops evacu-
ated these points without Offering this
slightest resistance =
At points from the shore north.
and the regulars, adyAnced hall, 4
kflometer. It wAss n sssamd dftan enats
movement from three sides.
The movement from the direction
of Cdine was enected by an over
whelming body Of troops which ad-
D'Anpunzio's legionnaires. The a1-
vance was accomplished principally
by Alpini. who occupied the high land
covering the rugged territory to the
rear Of Fiume, including two ranges
of hills. Toward the sea the regulars
line is held by royal guards and
carbineers.
While the troops advanced on the
hilly ground overlooking the sea, the
Italian feet kept silent guard in
Fiume bay. The powerful squadron
consists of frst-line battleships and
destroyers.
1t is reported that the orders to
the Italian regulars are not to fire
unless provoked DAnnunzio's spokes-
men say he has ordered his officers
not to fire until he gives the word
Surrender to Regulars.
PARIS. December 27-Fiuman
legionnaires and Dalmatian volun-
teers at lara, a port south of Fiume
on the Daln1atian. coast, have sur
rendered to Italian regulars after
falling in an attempt to capture the
Italian warship Marsala
The volunteers boarded the vessel.
but the crew resisted capture and
seized twenty-seven of the lepion-
naires. landing them at Ancona. an
italian port on the western side of
the Adriatic, says Havas dispatch.
DfsperseA ~ Guards.
ROME. December 96.-Crowds at
tempted to hold demonstrations in
this city, in favor OF Capt. Gabrielle
d'Annunzio tonight, but strong de-
tachments Of royal mounted guards
charged upon and dispersed those en-
m asfo
!. D'Annunzio'S war cry, Down with
the treaty Of Rapallo," was frequent
ly heard.
The incident followed a meeting
held by nationalists in favor Of
dAnnunzio and the claims he has put
forward as conditions upon which he
will abandon his fight at Plume.
Deputy Federson made an address in
favor of the poet-soldier and was fire.
quently applauded-
Later several nationalists in re-
venge for the breaking uD of the
demonst rations. decided to put an end
to q concert being directed by Sergius
Kousse evisky in the Augusteum. They
formed in a column and entered the
building crying, Viva Italian FTume
viva d'AnnunZfo."
The concert was interrupted and
several scuff1es occurred between the
invaders and the audience, which
loudly protested. Prompt interven-
IlOn Uy lnC pOAlCS Tt-eSld DllSnc0 order
and only few arrests were made
Little hope that d'Annunzio will be
able to hold Fiume against Italian
regulars Is entertained by Signor
Odenigo, local representative of the
regency of Quarnero," who with sew
eral friends and sympathiZers, has
been anxiously awaiting Developments
along the Adriatic-
II am afraid all is lost, unfortunate
ly. even honor" said Signor Odenigo
today. "All advices point to the con-
clusion that we must abandon even
the last hope of being Italian, as the
government has granted the port of
Jugoslavia under secret Understand
ing. The italian government is now
preparing to occupy Fiume with mill
tary forces and apply the treaty nv
force. Capt. d'Annunzio. with 4.s00
men. cannot resist An attack by oOOO0
unless a miracle happens. but it is a
shame"