The Free State of Fiume
by Jay Lino
What Was The Regency of Carnaro?
The Regency of Carnaro, hailed as the Fiume's Free State on the global stage, emerged as a sovereign entity on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in the aftermath of the Great War. Spanning from 1920 to 1924, with its capital proudly nestled in the city of Fiume, now known as Rijeka, Croatia, this Regency faced the tempestuous winds of a volatile political climate. Governed by ever-changing administrations and plagued by social unrest, it stood witness to incessant military interventions while grappling with the fervent struggle for self-determination.
In the wake of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse in 1918, following the Treaty of Trianon, it succumbed to absorption into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats & Slovenes, later christened Yugoslavia. Fiume, or Carnaro as it was historically known, harbored a predominantly Italian-speaking populace, thus prompting its inhabitants to yearn for liberation from the newly-formed kingdom and a reunion with Italy. Responding to this fervent call, on September 12th, 1919, a group of 2,600 Italian nationalists and socialist militants, led by Gabriele d'Annunzio, an esteemed poet and war hero, seized the city and declared its independence. Rumors persist of D'Annunzio's alleged quest for Bolshevik support to bolster his coup. Over its brief four-year existence, the Regency became a battleground, fiercely contested by Yugoslavia and the Kingdom of Italy, each vying to annex this coveted territory.
The aftermath of the Great War left a power vacuum in the region, paving the way for the rise of diverse political and social movements. Among them flourished socialism, anarchism, and other left-wing ideologies, providing the fertile soil for the establishment of the Regency of Carnaro. Futurism exerted a profound influence on the cultural and artistic tapestry of the Regency, renowned for its avant-garde and bohemian aura. Futurist visionaries and intellectuals, including Filippo Marinetti, the visionary behind the Futurist movement, were drawn to Carnaro due to its unique blend of political and cultural ambiance. The state witnessed the creation of Futurist-inspired masterpieces, from murals to sculptures and paintings, while the very design of buildings and public spaces embraced the aesthetic of progress, speed, and technological marvels. This symbiotic relationship between the avant-garde and the state's innovative spirit left an indelible mark on its artistic and cultural landscape.
The Charter of Carnaro stood as the constitutional cornerstone of the Regency. Conceived and ratified on December 24th, 1920, this visionary document laid the legal and political framework for the functioning of Carnaro's governance. Distinguished by its innovation and progressivism, the Charter of Carnaro embodied the ideals espoused by the movement that birthed the Regency. Reflecting the influence of various leftist ideologies, such as anarchism, socialism, and syndicalism, it stood as one of the most forward-thinking constitutions of its era. Central to the Charter of Carnaro was its unwavering commitment to individual freedom and equality. The constitution enshrined fundamental civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, religion, and the press, ensuring that all citizens were equal before the law. Moreover, it envisaged the establishment of an encompassing social security system and safeguarded the rights of workers, prominently endorsing the right to strike amongst its provisions.
The Charter of Carnaro, in addition to shaping the governance of the Regency, established a unique and visionary system of government. This constitution introduced a dual executive structure, with both a president and a governor, endowed with equal powers and elected by the populace. Notably, two distinguished individuals, Ricardo Zanella and Giovani Giuriati, assumed the presidency during the Regency's existence. Legislative authority resided in the Assembly of Carnaro, comprising 35 members elected through universal suffrage.
The Assembly of Carnaro bore the responsibility of treaties, amendments, and the appointment of a dictator in times of crisis. Two councils operated within the assembly: the Council of the Best and the Council of Corporations. The former, with councilors serving three-year terms and each representing 1,000 residents, formulated legislation pertaining to civil and criminal justice, police forces, armed services, education, intellectual pursuits, and the relationship between the central government and local communes. Meanwhile, the Council of Corporations, consisting of 60 members selected by various trade organizations for two-year terms, focused on legislation concerning commerce, labor relations, public services, transportation, merchant shipping, tariffs, trade, public works, as well as the medical and legal professions. Judicial authority was vested in multiple courts, including the Supreme Court, Communal Courts, Labor Court, Civil Court, and Criminal Court.
To ensure fairness and transparency in elections, the Charter introduced innovative measures. Voting was conducted through proportional representation, a system that reflected the diverse viewpoints and opinions of the Regency's citizens in the elected body. This approach facilitated equitable parliamentary representation, making the Regency of Carnaro a model of democratic governance. Elections within the Regency were generally regarded as free and fair, upholding the state's commitment to democratic principles.
Beyond its progressive provisions, the Charter of Carnaro stood out for its distinctive style and tone. It employed an imaginative and poetic language, embodying the ideals and aspirations cherished by the Regency of Carnaro. The constitution's eloquence and ingenuity made it a revered exemplar of constitutional writing among contemporaries. The Regency embraced the principle of direct democracy, allowing its citizens to actively engage in decision-making processes through referendums and plebiscites. However, due to the Regency's short-lived existence, the constitution's full implementation never came to fruition, leaving its potential unrealized.
The economy of the Regency of Carnaro thrived on several key industries and sectors. Situated on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, the state enjoyed access to crucial shipping routes, essential for its economic growth. Shipping, fishing, and agriculture formed the backbone of the Regency's primary industries. A bustling port served as a vital hub for the movement of goods and people along the Adriatic Sea. The state's abundance of seafood and a flourishing fishing fleet propelled the fishing industry. Agriculture played a significant role as well, capitalizing on the region's fertile soil and yielding plentiful crops. The Regency gained recognition for its vineyards, producing exceptional wines that found markets beyond its borders.
The Regency of Carnaro boasted not only traditional industries but also a burgeoning industrial sector. Within its borders, numerous factories and manufacturing businesses thrived, producing textiles, machinery, and consumer goods. The Regency's economy was underpinned by progressive economic policies that aligned with the movement's ideals.
One of the key elements shaping the political and economic landscape of the Regency was the corporazioni, which exemplified its progressive economic institutions. These workers' organizations represented different economic sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. The corporazioni were divided into nine corporazions, each with its own representation: Agro-industrial workers, seafarers, Agro-Industrial technicians, Industrial and Agricultural Technicians, Private Bureaucrats and Administrators, Teachers and Students, Lawyers and Doctors, Civil Servants, and Co-operative Workers. The Regency had seven ministers with executive power, overseeing Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Education, Police and Justice, Defence, Public Economy, and Labor.
Gabriele D'Annunzio, the leader of the Regency of Carnaro, established the corporazioni to empower workers, safeguard their rights, and ensure their interests were protected. These organizations played a pivotal role in the decision-making process, participating in matters such as legislation, budgeting, and administration. Beyond their political influence, the corporazioni played a crucial economic role, organizing production, distribution, and resource allocation. Even today, they serve as a fascinating and innovative model of worker organizations' impact on governance. However, the Regency faced obstacles to its economic development, including political instability and limited access to raw resources.
The loss of Fiume, an important port and industrial center, to Yugoslavia and its subsequent declaration of independence dealt a significant blow to Italy. This event fueled demands for the city's return to Italian control. D'Annunzio's declaration of war on Italy in 1920, defying the Treaty of Rapallo that recognized the Regency as a free state, led to the occupation of Fiume by the Royal Italian army for several years. Ultimately, Italian military intervention and annexation by Benito Mussolini in 1924 dissolved the Regency, establishing the Italian Province of Carnaro in its place.
Vladimir Lenin acknowledged D'Annunzio as the sole true revolutionary in Italy, and his government was the only one to recognize Fiume as an independent state. After Mussolini's annexation, D'Annunzio was ennobled as Prince of Montenevoso by King Victor Emmanuel III. Although he never directly reentered politics, D'Annunzio became a film director and served as president of the Royal Academy of Italy. Mussolini felt compelled to bribe D'Annunzio, remarking, "When you have a rotten tooth, you either pull it out or fill it with gold." In 1933, D'Annunzio wrote to Mussolini, attempting to dissuade him from aligning with Hitler. In 1934, he met Mussolini at the Verona train station in a bid to convince him to leave the Axis. D'Annunzio suffered a stroke and passed away in 1938, leaving a university named after him in Chieti.
Following World War II, former Regency president Riccardo Zanella demanded the restoration of the Free State as a sovereign entity. However, he failed to garner support from the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco in 1945. In September of that year, he attended the London Council of Foreign Ministers, asserting that Fiume had been submerged by Fascist aggression and rejecting its annexation to Croatia or Yugoslavia, as it had never belonged there due to its previous location in Austro-Hungary. Zanella's requests were declined by the council, and he passed away in 1959. Despite its brief existence, the Regency of Carnaro leaves behind a captivating and potentially significant legacy, emphasizing the power of self-determination, independence, and the voice of the people, which remain pertinent today.