The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26th., 1923. FASCISM IN ITALY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26th., 1923. FASCISM IN ITALY.

Now that Italy has g.own so aggressive as regards Near East action, a reference to the Fascist movement iu Italian life will he of more than'passing interest. An Italian writer discusses the rationale, of th„ movement, and refers to the question in some detail. reviewing the matter in a favorable light. In the article lie icfeis to the political principles whose forcible application, he claims, saved Italy lioin imminent disaster. He. explains that Fascism is not, ns is sometimes supposed, a sort of '‘middle-class league,” purely and simply an energetic reaction against Communism, or even Socialism. It is rather “a .reaction against tllOoretiealism, against doctrines that take no account of facts, against illusive catchwords and pan (ot-eries, against any attempt to run a country by the guidance either of precedent or mere shibboleths.” It is, in n word, ‘‘anti-faddist.” Fascism is unique. It is an explosive movement, but whereas all other ex[ losive movements have been innovating and sub versive, it is preservative. The incapacity of the Government gave Fascism its impulse. Dr. Gotgolini, the writer, paints a doleful picture of Italy before the Fascist! took a hand. lied propaganda had been active. While provinces had been reduced to lied provinces, ‘‘where the Communists could set a price, murder, ravish, boycott, burn and steal at pleasure. . . The Stale was apparently non-existent. The Government was feeble and without anthoiity. The law was impotent, anil the magistrates dared not enforce it. State officials proved their subserviency to Bolshevism pretensions by municipal anarchy aiul neglect of the public services. The army was insulted with impunity by the mob and the subversive press. The police, despised and discontented, manifested a complete inertia.” It- was inevitable that such a state of affairs should provoke a reaction. The Fascist! said, in effect, that the law must he obeyed, and, if necessary, they were prepared to compel obedience by illegal methods, racism is “a lawless believer in law—a rebel believer in authority.” The Faseisti absolutely proscribe class hostility. Their attitude is ‘‘Be friends, or you shall have a taste of our rods.” It wilt he gathered that there are elements of paradox in the creed. Fascism is ill-suited to a, British community. But it should he remembered that Italy is less practiced in the r 1 t of self-government, and may find Fascism more congenial than araivhy. In another work, issued contemporaneously, ‘‘Understanding Italy,” by Mr Clayton Sedgwick Cooper there is a chapter on Fascism and another on Signor Mussolini, hut the author is chiefly concerned with the industrial and economic renaissance which the country is experiencing. He describes Hie development in manufactures and foreign trade, the growth of the Italian mercantile marine, the enterprise which is being shown in the exportation of ‘‘white coal” ; and throughout his bonk lie testifies to the spirit of energy, optimism and confidence which animates the “new” Italy. Fascism, therefore, appears to have arrived opportunely for Italy so far as saving the country from herself. But Fascism may not prove any more .stable than any other of the “isms” so often produced as the panacea for national ills. Probably Fascism depends for its success in the main on Mussolini, ft kind of modern Cromwell, who will brook no repulse. Italy’s difficulty will lie acute again if it is not possible to succeed Mussolini with another strong character when the time calls for a successor. Mussolini is u dominating figure, and Italy is not a country to produce many individuals of so strong a character. But his policy has served a good purpose, and if his ambition does not carry him too far. as the Greek episode gave promise to do, Ik> has the initiative no doubt, still to do great tilings for his beloved country.