SHAW AGAIN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 15 November 1927, Page 7

SHAW AGAIN

FASCISM THIS TIME.

IRREPRESSIBLE G.B

London, Oct. 14

George Bernard Shaw, the prolific writer, who is seldom out of the limelight, has provoked a lively controversy here, as a result of a letter he has written to the Gazette Del Popolo of Turin, Italy, in which he defends Mussolini and the extraordinary success of Fascism.

The expression of Shaw’s views is causing consternation among his friends in the Labour and Liberal parties. The London Times correspondent at Milan describes Shaw’s letter as “ a brilliant defense of Fascism, based principally on the arguments used by Mrs. Warren in “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” when, in order to defend herself, she endeavours to persuade “Vivie” that all ladies’ society is neither better nor wore than herself.

The “Daily Herald” (Labour) is at a loss to understand why Shaw should compare Soviet Russia with Mussolini, and says: “Bolshevism is based in the theory, not of capitalism and private property competition, but on Communism and co-operation.” It admits that the Soviet regime is marked by suppression, but adds: “Bolshevism is inspired with a nobler ideal and based on a more secure economic creed than Fascism.” It adds that Shaw has been hypnotised by the word of the dictator. The “Daily News” speaks ;of Shaw’s “perverse chivalry,” and describes his letter as “amusing reading, that will not alter either the opinion of any wise man of Mussolini and his system of government, or the affectionate regard and admiration of most educated Englishmen, who are expected to continue to uphold Shaw’s views.”