FIUME

seapt. at head of Gulf of Quarnero, on the Adriatic (45° 19’ N., 14° 27’ E.), 70 m. by rail S.E.of Trieste, formerly the seat of practically the entire shipping trade of Hungary; was annexed to Hapsburg dominions (1471); a free port (1717-1891); industrial suburb of Sushak is separated by small stream called Rjeka or Fiumara; principal buildings, cathedral, with modern facade copied from Pantheon at Rome, and governor’s palace; three harbors, the largest protected by a breakwater and flanked by quay nearly 2 m. in length; industrial establishments included the Hungarian Government’s tobacco factory and Whitehead torpedo works; also rice mill and petroleum refinery. During the Great War Fiume was bombed by Ital. airmen, and a naval raid was carried out (Feb. 12, 1918), against Austrian ships in the gulf. Pop. of Fiume, 49,800, including ants of various nationalities; of Sushak, 13,000, including 12,000 Croats and Slovenes. The claim to Fiume in the peace settlement after the war was contested. between Italy and JugoSlavia. By the secret Treaty of London, signed by Italy, Britain, and France in 1915, the city was reserved as an outlet for Croatia; but at the Peace Conference (1919) Italy contended that the population was predominantly Italian, the Jugo-Slavs disputing: this preponderance as regards the double port of Fiume-Sushak, and claiming it as their only adequate outlet to the sea. Signor Orlando and the Italian delegation withdrew from Paris (April 25, 1919), and the Ital. ministry fell (June 20). The new premier, Signor Nitti, signed the treaties of Versailles and St. Germain, the Fiume question being held in abeyance. On Sept. 12 the Ital. poet-politician-soldier, Gabriele d’Annunzio, sought to solve the problem by a coup d’etat, and occupied the city at the head of a band of armed volunteers. He was supported by the majority of the Ital. nation, and the government was unable to: take resolute action. On Oct. 25, 1918, the Croats attempted to seize the port; but the revolt was speedily crushed and orde restored. Subsequently Italy reache« an agreement with Britain and France but the Amer. president refused hi a ent, and the question still remaine open after the San Remo Conference It was finally settled in 1920 by th Treaty of Rapollo which made Fiume: free city. See Irany.