The Hokitika Guardian. TUESDAY, FEB. 13th. 1923 FASCISTA ITALY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian. TUESDAY, FEB. 13th. 1923 FASCISTA ITALY.

A striking feature of recent European politics has hoen the influence exerted by Italy in international, affairs. In proportion to her sacrifices in the war, Italy received 110 siich allocations of enemy territory on its conclusion as fell to the other Allied Powers, and she emerged from the Peace Conference with feelings of humiliation and exasperation. Denied what they considered their due rights, a large section of the Italian people approved of and assisted such filbustering expeditions as that of D’Annunzio at Fiume, while another section, permeated, by Leninite doctrines, I vegan to occupy factories and workshops, and to drive out the proprietors and managers. In 1919 and 1920 Italy was a seething mass of disaffection and sedition. The weak rule of successive Ministries was the main contributing cause of this dangerous situation. Only some unexplained paralysis of will prevented the Communists from attaining complete mastery. Che Italian middle classes, which, like their prototypes in other States, had sunk into a state of lethargy on the conch:.

sion of the war, recovered their energy and began to, organise. They received material assistance from the Giolitti Ministry, which indemnified them for the damage done by the Communists, and they began to meet displays of force by the adoption of similar tactics. This counter-movement, now known as Faxeismo, made an appeal to sfll classes, and its principles had a very large and enthusiastic following in the army and navy. The llonomi Government, which succeeded that of Giolitti, threw no obstacles in the way of the Fascisti, and the movement culminated in the coup de’etat of October last. When Signor Mussolini attained to power the “Daily Chronicle’s” corresdent, in Italy, in a despatch to Ins journal, explained that th ■ coup d'etat was not a revolution, hut rather an energetic assertion of the State. ft. he said, the Fascisti remained true to their principles, not a single organic institution would lie challenged, or a single organic function of the State abrogated. Their aim was simply the safeguarding of Italy, and they had replaced a Government which was too timid to face the Reds. Mussolini, a man of immense force of character, has infused an energy into Government offices which has brought consternation into the habitats of lovers of dolce far niente. “Deeds,” be says, “not. words is the order of the day. A complaisant Chamber of Deputies, complaisant because Mussolini holds a secret decree of dissolution available for use at any movement voted in November in favour of flic virtual dictator having full power to deal with financial and administrative reforms. This authority Mussolini immediately made use of. He swept away twenty-one boards of commission in tile Department of Agriculture. and Several other hoards, dismissed one thousand army officers, and effected a saving of several milliards of lire. He also carried out reforms in the postal and education departments, and lias fixed the peace strength of the army at 405,000 men, whose term of service with the colours is to he eighteen months. The railway department long a hotbed of inefficiency, robbery and corruption, visitors to Italy have been painfully aware, lias, more than any other, felt the irruption of Fascisti, a proceeding which smacks of tyranny. Mussolini is said to favour handing over the State railways, telegraph and telephone services, to private enterprise. In a speech at the Fascisti conference at Naples before he assumed eontreol of the State, Mussolini foreshadowed such an abandonment of State monopolies. Italy, he said, was to be an agrarian democracy based on small ownership. All useless and incompetent Civil servants were to be weded out. and their placed filled bv men of whose efficiency there was no doubt. )

. Foreign Powers, particularly Great Britain, wore at first inclined to look askance at Italian developments. Mussolini out of office breathed fire anil slaughter on those who would oppose Italy’s just claims. He would make the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas Italian lakes, and Malta would be annexed. But in an interview given since October ho has stated that- political campaign speeches should not ho taken literally. The now Italian Cabinet desired, he said, to live in the closest relations with the Allies and he hoped that the future actions of the Faseisti Government would remove any bad impression created. Events have borne out that statement. While declining to participate in Entente Conferences which merely exchanged courtesies, Mussolini has endeavoured to co-operate with the Allied Powers in au endeavour to serve the interests of European peace. Italy's foreign policy, he said in a speech in the Chamber, was neither altinistie nor submissive. She did not want to tear up treaties, nor abandon her war-time Allies. Tier policy was one of pacification', but. at the same time he bad made the Allies understand that Italy, though pacific abounded with eneigy. and would not forego results which might be obtained by force of arms. The latter portion of the speech may be looked upon ns a bouquet for the national vanity. It would certainly not strike terror into the first-class Powers. Although at first siding with France and Belgium in the policy of an advance into the Buhr region. Italy is now somewhat dismayed at- the results of that action, which she considers will Pill all hopes of reparation. If. with Great Britain, she uses her influence for the settlement of the reparations question by some less aggressive means, she will render a service which will rebound to her credit, and will ensure the goodwill of the world for her renaissance.