MUSSOLINI'S CAREER ENDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 25, 19 November 1943, Page 3

MUSSOLINI'S CAREER ENDS

TAKEN TO PRISON IN

AMBULANCE

Salerno. Sept. !>. Benito Mussolini ended liis. spectacular career ;is l.taiy'.s VI Duce ridung l«i prison mi iiir buck soni of an ambulance. The end came swiftly on ilie night of .iuly 12."). He was I a km into enstody by a mere Captain of Gambiaie.'i a- he -walked from Vil!:i Vavoia alter a com I c re nee wi\lh tiie King. Tin- Captain was ] > <»i 11;" but. firm in 35! - is Li ng thai I! Duce. step inlo (he ambulance- «« e:;;;!*v ins.islen! that Mussolini acq u i -ced a\' i I li o i : t a Strugg e. Fascism To I ieri ng On I lit' night ol' July 'J J Ihe Italian Senate inel io consider the country's mi i I i t j-y and political future. was 1 otlerih;j, Mussolini no 'longer iield Lite whip hand and in fact had no control either over I heconn try or the parly lie crealed. There were "long spceehen. arguments and discussions lasting through the night into Ihe next day. Iloberlo Farinaee!, perhaps Ihe most rabid ol' all Fascists, led the Fascist minority. Dino Grandi. former Ambassador to Britain, championed the anti-Mussolini majority. "Farinaee! made an impassioned plea to place Italy's entire military and political I'uture in the hands of ihe Germans," said my inrornian't. "He said the Germans Ave re strong and would reslore Fascism to its former glory and that this Avas the only hope to saA'e the deteriorating political and military situation." To this Mussolini and the Senate said no. Then Grandi made an equally impassioned plea. He spoke for several Injurs, setting forth the view ol' those clamouring against Fascism* against Mussolini and. against German domination ol' Italy. lie read a proclamation which Avould place the country's military and political I'uture in the hands of the King. To G randi's proposal, Mussolini said Xo, Five Senators said No. Nineteen said Yes. And Count Giacomo Suardo, President ol" Ihe Senate. voted neither No nor Yes. Ordinarily, the naval officer continued. Mussolini A'isited the King on Mondays and Thursdays. I'or conferences. But on this day. Sunday, lie reeeiA'ed an urgent call that the King wished to see him lySo Mussolini hurried to Savoia. This timey lor some reason, lie had a stronger guard accompanying him, and. the people, who Avere accustomed to seeing him pass on tin; streets of Home. noted this and ivondered. When Mussolini reached the Villa

SaAoia, lie hurried from the automobile into the palace Avhile the bodyguard waited outside. He was closctcd'with the King for several hours. Meantime, alter the decisive defeat in the Senate. Farinacci. went to the German commander in Home and a few hours later was on his. way io Germany dressed in Ihe uniform of a captain in the German Armv. \ few days later over the Munich radio. Farinacci pleaded Avilh the Italian people to trust Ihe Germans because lli-y would restore Fascism and 1 laiiau glory. Mussolini Leaves King When MussoMni concluded his eoni'erenee Avi th the king. lie came (Hi! of the door and walked to Avhere 1- - 1 ; -• ' ' • i [ k : i j ; ' P !i 1 ;i •;' ■ cia! guards. Bu! his ear was no! i here. An ambulance stood in its place with a Carabiner. (la plain beside il. e.iin:. my in I orii- an ! said, appeared siarl.id. IA i e (iarabini n l < laptain stepped forward au.i s.iluled. "I 1 hii 1 k VouF.x .v!len cy." he .-.aid.; ••this automobile i' more suitable for your safely Liiau the other one. " "Nonsense." il Huce siiapped. lb 1 loohed a-boul and saw only royal police. "What is the meaning of l!i is?" "Well, sir." said the young Captain. "I, must tel! you this car '.s much belter than ihe other." .Mussolini looked inlo the eyes of the delermi iiei\ insistent young Caplain and Avhat he saw I here made him give a shrug of resignation. "Mussolini stepped to Ihe door of the ambulance," the officer .concluded. "and the Captain opened it. I inside were four (larabinieri. Mussolini stepped, in. The door Avas shut. The ambulance drove oil' the grounds — through the rear gate- to prison.-