MUSSOLINI OUTBURST

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1928, Page 3

MUSSOLINI OUTBURST

(Australian Press Association A Sun.) (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ROME. March .1. ••It the last time I speak on this matter. The next time I shall make the facts speak.” This was one of the dramatic sentences of an impassioned speech by Mussolini addressing the Chamber on ttalo-Austrian relations. The Chamber ovationed the Dine on entering, ami frequently interrupted with cheers. Mussolini sat down amid shouts of “Viva Dace, Viva Faseisiino.” and the singing of a Fascist hymn, lie said there was no country in Europe to-day so politically united, morallv compact, and socially ordered as Italv. Fascism possesses good nerves. and knows how to make good. Since it bad become necessary to reply to the Austrian Chancellor he would do so calmly, without equivocation. He was writing a chapter of history for the whole world, which may not know the facts. “ II I retail Italy’s many proofs of friendship towards Austria alter the Armistice it is not in order to fling ingratitude in her teeth, blit in order to toll the truth to the whole world. Italy assisted tho stricken Austrian people with works of mercy, helped financially, and aided her disinterestedly in her political dispute, when .) tigo-Slavia threatened invasion of Austria by keeping Italian troops on the frontier. All this is set down in black and white in Austria’s letters thanking Italy. The advent of the Faeists made no change. Fascist Italy has been friendly and helpful, but in the past decade Italy iinils hersell laced intolerable intcrl'eieiice and internal legislation. ital\ eauiuii admit the German minority at Adige as an inter national problem. I'.llorl to create an international question is useless tin I absurd, and means running against a rock. Austria says the Governments preceding Fascists made vague promises. That may be. but may lie also those Governments repented, owing to impertinent interpretation placed t nereon. Anyhow Fascists do not I eel bound by the vague assurance of men representing a system inexorably overwhelmed by Fascists revolution. Austrians say Italian tyrants are torturing their brothers, committing murders, and also that Fascism is a barbarous dictatorship. All this is false and ridiculous. We are not pupils of Austria, which throughout the century has peopled half of Europe with executioners, filled the prisons with martyrs and erected gallows without interruption. Fascist atrocities are an invention of evil imaginations.” Mussolini detailed Italy’s oflorts to do justice to the Austrian 11111101 it\ and denied using pressure to suppress local customs, language and traditions. He pointed out that there wore fifteen newspapers in the German language in the province of Bolzano alone. He added that our great forbearance is misinterpreted. I give a last warning that if the anti-Italian campaign beyond Renner continues that all publications in a foreign language will he suppressed : also if thousands of foreign employees in the same province do not appreciate benefits they are enjoying thev would lie given the choice ol being transferred to other provinces oi discharged. LONDON. March 4. Mussolini addressing the Chamboi said: “The truth is Germanism is crying out because it feels it cannot win against Fascist Italy’s cold systematic determination. Italy is not worrying about the war of word.** "aging in other countries. Fascism is not mi article of export. If Europe wants to he infected even more deeply with diseases we have overceme. that will only make us more war -lifiil against contagion. The l.cag': ol Nations has vain hopes. If the Assembly at Geneva thrusts its way into the Ia by rinth of so-called minorities it. will never conic out alive. It is non.—-ary to say perhaps for the last lime, that demonstrations from I ho other side aix> useless and harmful. As far as it lies in her power Italy wishes to he friends with the Germanic world, hut only ori condition that Italian security will never lie vaguely questioned." He concluded: “Brutal sincerity rising above political tortiiosit ies we esteem, but with equal sincerity we make known to-day to Tyroleans. Austrians and the whole world l-liat l idled Italy is on her toes at Brenner frontier.” I’ll ESS COMMENT. VIENNA, March 4. Press comment on Mussolini’s speech is surprisingly mild. A majority ol the newspapers are of the opinion that Mussolini is talking lor home consumption and that he ignored the real points of dispute, especially the suppression of the German language in churches and schools in lyrol and Geininn ecclesiastics. They declare they will in nowise give up the right to teach in German and are requesting the Vatican to send a neutral investigation. BERLIN, -March 4. Anger is shown in many press comments in Roman Catholic newspapers in Germany. It says world opinion indicates that Fascist Italy is becoming as unpopular and isolated as Ceiliiiiny was before Lin- war. 'I he nrwaerts” i-says the “Dime's brutal threats must not be over-rated, as they form part of the Fascist routine. It does not believe he will wage war against Austria, through speeches in Austrian Parliament. Imt the treatment ol lyroleso "id he marked with coercion hevoncl conception.