ITALY GROWING RESTIVE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1924, Page 12

ITALY GROWING RESTIVE.

FASCISM UNPOPULAR. NEMESIS OF INTOLERANCE

MUSSOLINI'S 'WORK FOR THE COUNTRY.

The political battle that has been raging m tne Italian Press for tne last three months has reached such unprecendented heights, -and a crisis of some kind seems inevitable, that it may be ■worth while to give the subject a little consideration, especially as it presents some curious and unusual featmes (.says the Rome-correspondent of the Condon Observer). Hardly ever before has there been such an unchaining of passions on both skies; such .accusations aimed at. the party in power, such insults hurled back at the Opposition; and yet this whole situation, which is having the worst effect upon the country, is caused not so much by antagonism of action as by an invincible antagonism between two mentalities, as far apart as the poles and as little likely ever to come together. The story of Fascism is well known; the weaknesses and mistakes of past Governments which led to its rise five years ago; the wholesome reaction ol : the whole nation, which made the march on Home possible and placed Signer Mussolini- at the head of the Government. Unlimited authority and liberty of action were conceded to him. He inspired blind confidence. There was infinite trust in his power not only to balance the Budget . and reform the ■bureaucracy but to impose stability and discipline on the whole country, in which the national spirit was burning at that moment like a. flame. So far as a good government goes, his countrymen can find but little fault with Siguor Mussolini. The material prosperity of Italy, her credit, and her moral prestige have all notably increased during the Fascist regime. It is significant that even the Opposition do. not base their attacks upon any definite act of policy (t'he National Militia and. the Press edict are side Issues)’, nor does their own programme hint at any suggestion of reform. It would be difficult indeed for any Prime Afmister to have accomplished more than Signor Mussolini has done during his term of office. He has worked at a white heat of energy and at an extreme personal sacrifice .of comfort and leisure - rarely found among Government officials. ' He has been in truth what he proclaims himself, “the servant of the nation.”

Wliat, then, has led to the present storm against Fascism, the importance of which will be exaggerated or .minimised according to different points of view, but which undpubtedly exists? To say “the Aiatteotti miirder’’ is 140 answer. That was.it is true, the final electric discharge that caused the storm to burst, but the clouds lvad been gathering on the horizon for some time previously. Fascism had become unpopular, from its uncompnsing attitude towards all other parties, its assumption of .superiority, its contempt for its adversaries, crudely, and even vulgarly,’, expressed,: without distinction of persons, in season and out of season ; from, nts constant rise of the weapon of intimidation, especially in the provinces, where its pose was that of a. victorious army encamped in a conquered vcountry ; and last, but not least, from the'brutal physical assaults inflicted from time to time upon members of the Opposition or dissentient Fascists —Assaults which were disowned' by the Government, but were never stigmatised by it as they, deserved to be. in the eyes of tne Opposition these grievances quite tne solid value of atl that ciiguor Mussolini has done for the country. > i ' bignor Mussolini'' stands high above the petulance of Tus party, yet m certain quarters even he has lost some of. his strong personal ascendancy, and that for reasons inherent in the Italian nature and of which perhaps he has taken too little 'account. Italians are, above all things,L individualists. AU through tHeir wontlerful and complex history this characteristic;'has made Tor strength, and beauty .in their art, for weakness in their polities. They have the specific qualities) of leaders rather than of those who \ are led. Rigid discipline is irksome tip them,'and they do not readily yield unquestioning obedience. i

Mussolini sees tiling's from a different, point of view, ife is impressed with the absolute necessity for discipline if anything great is to be aceomplished, and, knowing from what he has saved Italy, he considers lie has a right to impose liis will not only on his own party, but On any other party that adheres to Fascism. He resents fiercely any interference with his plans, which always aim high at the regeneration of his country, exhausted morally and materially by the war. He has asked for collaboration from al shades of political' opinion but always on condition that they should submit unreservedly to Fascist ideals. Except the Nationalists, no political’party in Italy has seeii, its way to sinking its own individuality.' The tendency to break .up its-igroups, each headed by a leader'of its own, seemed likely once more to prove fatal to unity. An example in point is the “Leg a Italian,” the new league which is adhered to by many dissentient Fascists. Its founder, the dramatic poet, Sem Bcnelli, entered Parliament last April' on the National List, but he does not consider that his action implies any loyalty on his part towards the head of the Government or any obligation to support him at a peculiarly difficult moment.

There are some of the prime reasons that are bringing about disintegration where there should be cohesion. One would think that the excellent 'concrete results of two years of firm government; would make people realise the wisdom of giving Signor Mussolini a free hand for,, at any rate, the five years he asked. for to carry on and complete his task. As a matter of fact, the country at large, the majority .of the 39,000,000 Italians without party badges who are so; often invoked in the Press, are perfectly satisfied with things as they are and desire no change, They knew that the only real danger to their prosperity lies in a certain recrudescence of Communism which is gradually being ln-ought about as a natural result of the* violent Press attacks on ’ the Government’, : which give the impression that the Fascism is weakening. I have talked lately with men whose avocations bring them into close contact- with workers and employers. both in town and eoiintrv, and they are unanimous in admitting a subeurront of Communist unrest and in deploring it. Gie.litti, whose opinion is always worth faking, is sahl to have remarked laconically: “The roof is upheld bv one pillar; only madmen would want to knock it down."