ITALIAN ARMY BREAK
SENDS WAR CARS TO FIUME
"Deserters" From Regular Army Swing Over to
Help Poet-Leader.
By Associated Press.
TRIEST, Dec. 12.—The first break
in the regular Italian army occurred
Saturday when four armored cars
started from Udine, three of which
succeeded in reaching the palace of
Gabrlele D'Annunzio in Flume.
The fourth car was prevented from
reaching its destination by a sentinel
who threw under its wheels obstacles
which cut the tires, bringing it to
a halt. The crew of the car, how-
ever, escaped and managed to reach Fiume on foot.
General Caviglia, the Italian commander, on Saturday went to Ab-
bazia, Istria, known as "the Nice of
Italy," where he conferred with the
commanders who are opposing D'Annunzio.
It is stated that owing to the im-
movable position of D'Annunzio the
government intends to send an ulti-
matum to him containing the threat of an offensive action. It is reported,
however, that D'Annunzio would
welcome any military demonstration.
The defection from the army and
the recent joining of the poet's forces
of naval craft, it is believed here,
will hasten decisive action. General
Caviglia's mission to Abbazia is considered in this connection.
There were wild scenes in Fiume Saturday when members of the Autanomous party, who are D'Annunzio's sworn enemies, were beaten by legionairies in reprisal for their having adopted resolutions condemning the poet. Socialists also were attacked. The old national council has adopted a resolution declaring that its members will remain true to D'Annunzio.