Italian Situation.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1922, Page 2

Italian Situation.

iI’STIIaUAN ANII N .7.. CABJ.R ASSOCIATION. .THE NEW DICTATOR. n ROME, October 2Sr. The Fascisti have set fire to the premises of the newspaper “Paese,” belonging to Signor Nitti. The new Premier, Signor Mussolini, is aged only 39. .He is the son of a Socialist blacksmith, who was three times imprisoned for preaching Socialism. Mussolini himself became an ardent Socialist. He went to Switzerland. when he was expelled as a most dangerous criminal. .‘Afterwards he became a leader of the Italian Socialists and he edited their newspaper “Avnnti.”

The war converted Mussolini into an equally ardent patriot. He joined the army and was wounded. He then returned and established the newspaper “Popular cl*Italia,” In which he ruthlessly attacked his former Socialist friends. He denounced the weakness of the Government in yielding td the Communists.

One prominent plank n the Fascisti platform is the restoration to Italy of Malta and of the Italian-Swiss provinces.

Signor Mussolini’s advent to power means the remoulding of Italy on the lines of very intense nationalism.

ITALIAN CABINET. (Received this day at S a.m.) ROME, Oct. 31. Mussolini has reached an agreement with the General Federation of Labour and the Seamen’s Federation, He has allotted himself the portfolios of Internal and Foreign Affairs, the latter temporarily. Other Ministers include General Diaz (Minister of War), Thaonderevel (Minister of Marine), Paratori (Minister of Finance). ITALY AND A REPUBLIC. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. Tlie “ Daily Mail’s ” Rome correspondent says Rome regards Mussolini as the first President of the Republic, though he has given conditional allegiance to the King. The Fascisti now number over a million active members, < f whom seven hundred thousand are workmen, who, for love of their country, have seceded from the extreme trade unions. '