The Italian city of Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia) was the center of a controversy between Italy and the nascent state of Yugoslavia about its post-World War I control, called the Fiume Question. Unresolved at the Paris Peace Conference because President Wilson disagreed with the Italian claim of self-determination – the area was intended for Yugoslavia but disputed by the Italians – the Free State of Fiume was established by the Treaty of Rapallo in 1920. Benito Mussolini unilaterally incorporated Fiume into Italy in 1924.
While reading the Encyclopedia Britannica, Thirteenth Edition (New Vols. II FAB To OYA, p38), I found two quotes using the term holocaust, which surprised me:
He delivered frequent speeches, and represented the oppressed nationalities of the whole world as looking to Fiume, “the holocaust city,” for consolation in their affliction.
D’Annuzio occupied Fiume illegally and was essentially its dictator until December 1920 when the free state was established. He truly believed that the area was primarily Italian and made enough noise to establish Italian interest in in Fiume, resulting in Mussolini’s actions in 1924.
The “commandant’s” official residence was bombarded by the “Andrea Dorais,” and he narrowly escaped the martyrdom which he had proclaimed for him and his followers, a “holocaust” for his country.
Giloitti was an Italian statesman who was prime minister five times, including immediately after World War I when the Fiume Question was being addressed. With this quote, he has made Fiume an nationalistic issue for all of Italy.
Previous Usage
That’s the issue, the only online references are big-H German Holocaust inflicted on the Jews/Gypsies/Romas/Slavs of Europe, and no apparent definitions or usages before that. The Britannica online article What Is the Origin of the Term Holocaust? does explain the word’s Greek origins but otherwise stays with the Holocaust commonly known about. The dictionary definitions refer to thorough destruction and mentions to Genocide – a legalese word invented after WWII – but it’s unclear whether or not the word was in usage prior to World War II.
Additional research at a research library might be necessary, if nothing else to find a century-old dictionary and see what it containts.
Image Credits
Image of Rijeka, Croatia by fmagay.
