was indicated by the fact that Italy ignored it when negotiationg the Treaty of London.
But Vittorio Orlando had demanded it at the Paris peace conference, realizing that it might
be built up to rival Trieste, which Italy had been promised. He failed and Fiume was given
to the new Yugoslav state. This decision bitterly diaappointed Italian nationalists.
It also diappointed the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. Always
seeking ways to keep his name
before the public, he began to campaign for Italy’s seizure
of Fiume. In Venice he
organized an agitational group, whose motto was “Either
Fiume or Death.” Many patriots
and army officers joined him. Money flowed in.
On 12 September, 1919, together a small army he
had gathered together in Venice and
with the complicity of the Italian army stationed in
Istria, he seized Fiume before it could
be transferred to Yugoslavia. Francesco Nitti, currently
the Prime Minister of Italy. took no action, fearful of triggering revolution
at home. D’Annunzio remained in
Fiume until he was ousted in December 1920 by regular
troops under the orders of
Giovanni Giolitti, once again Prime Minister.
This episode was important in demonstrating the weakness
of the Italian government and
the depths of dissatisfaction by extreme nationalists
with the results of the peace treaties.
Mussolini benefitted from D’Annunzio’s fall. He inherited
from him not only much of the
theatrical element of D’Annunzio’s style, but also the
money collected on his behalf and
much of his political support besides.
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| My dear comrade, the die is
cast! I am now leaving. Tomorrow morning I will seize Fiume by armed force. May the God of Italy help us. I rise from my bed with a fever. But it is impossible to delay. Once again the spirit will tame the miserable flesh. Support the cause vigorously during the conflict. I embrace you. Gabriele D'Annunzio 11 September 1919 |
Mio caro compagno, il dado è
tratto! Parto ora. Domattina prenderò Fiume con le armi. Il Dio d'Italia ci assista. Mi levo dal letto, febbricitante. Ma non è possibile differire. Anche una volta lo spirito domerà la carne miserabile. Sostenete la causa vigorosamente, durante il conflitto. Vi abbraccio. Gabriele D'Annunzio 11 settembre 1919 |
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