A short time after the arrival of the Italian garrison, orders were sent that they should prepare the members of the commune for transportation to the mainland. One rumour was that they were going to be allowed to return home, another that they would be transferred to mainland prisons and camps. In consequence, the exiles gave up all the land they were renting. Then they were told that the order for their journey had been cancelled. They soon exhausted their remaining supplies and with no state allowance being sent, they were unable to buy any provisions. They gathered wild greens and snails. Illnesses and malnutrition resulted and there were several deaths.