VOICE OF THUNDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 295, 5 March 1928, Page 9

VOICE OF THUNDER

Mussolini’s Warning to Austria “ RUNNING AGAINST A ROCK ” "I AM writing a chapter in history for the whole world, 1 which may not know the facts. This is the last time I shall speak. Next time I shall make the facts speak.” Referring to Mussolini’s address to the Chamber of Deputies on the relations between Italy and Austria, in which these impassioned sentences were spoken, Austrian newspapers express the opinion that the Prime Minister was talking for home consumption.

By Cattle.—Press Asst ROME, Saturday. MEMBERS of the House gave an ovation to the Duce as he entered. They frequently interrupe'-d his speech with cheers, and Signor Mussolini sat down amid shouts of “Viva Duce,” “Vive Fascismo,” and the singing of a Fascist hymn. “There is no country in Europe today so politically united, so morally compact, or so socially ordered as Italy,” said Mussolini. "Fascism possesses good nerves and knows how to make good. As it has become necessary to reply to the Austrian Chancellor, I will do so calmly and without equivocation.” “If I recall Italy’s many proofs of friendship toward Austria since the Armistice it is not in order to fling her ingratitude in her teeth, but in order to tell the truth to the whole world,” continued Signor Mussolini. “Italy assisted the stricken people of Austria with works of mercy, helped her financially, and aided her disinterestedly in a political dispute, when Yugoslavia threatend an invasion of Austria, by keeping Italians troops on the frontier. All this is set down in black and white in Austria's letters thanking Italy. “The advent of the Fascists made no change. Fascist Italy has been friendly and helpful, but in the past decade Italy has found lirself faced with intolerable interference in regard to her internal legisltaion. “Italy cannot admit the German minority in the Adige area as an international problem, and efforts to create an international question are useless and absurd. It means running against a rock. “Austria says the Governments which preceded the Fascists made vague promises. That may be so, zut it may be, also, that those Governments repented owing to the impertinent interpretations which were placed on those promises. Anyhow, the Fascist's do not feel bound by vague promises. That may bo so, but sented systems which were inexorably overwhelmed by the Fascist revolution. “The Austrians say the Italians are tyrants, are torturing their brothers, and are committing murders. They also say 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 the invention of evil imaginations,” said Signor Mussolini. Continuing, he detailed Italy’s efforts to do justice to the Austrian minority. He denied that pressure had been used to suppress local customs, language and traditions. He pointed out that there are 15 newspapers printed in foreign languages will be Tyrol province of Bolzano alone. “Our great forbearance has been misinterpreted,” said the Prime Minister. “I give a last warning. If the anti-Italian campaign beyond the Brenner continues all publications printed in foredng languages will be suppressed. Also, if the foreign employees in the same province do not appreciate the benefits they are enjoying they will be given the choice between being transferred to other provinces or discharged.”—A. and N.Z.-Sun. ITALY ON HER TOES “The truth is,” Mussolini continued, "Germanism is crying out because it feels it cannot win against Fascist Italy’s cold, systematic determination. “Italy is not worrying about wars of words waged in other countries. Fascism is not an article of export. If Europe wants to be infected even more deeply with diseases we have overcome, that will only make us the more watchful against contagion. The League of Nations has vain hopes. “If the Assembly at Geneva thrusts its way into the labyrinth of so-called minorities, it will never come out alive. “It Is necessary to say, perhaps for the last time, that demonstrations from the other side are useless and harmful. As far as it lies in her power, Italy wishes to be friends with the Germanic world, but only on condition that Italian security will never even be vaguely questioned. "Brutal sincerity rising above political tortuosities we esteem,” he concluded, “but with equal sincerity, we make known to-day to the Tyroleans, Austrians and to the whole world, that United Italy is on her toes at the Brenner frontier.”

> elation. — Copyright. MILD AUSTRIAN COMMENT

ANGER IN BERLIN By Cable. —-Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 9.45 a.m. VIENNA, Sunday. Austrian Press comment on Mussolini’s speech is surprisingiy. mild. The majority of newspapers are of the opinion that the Italian Prime Minister was talking for home consumption. He ignored the real points of the dispute, it is said, especially tile suppression of the German language in the churches and schools in the Tyrol. German ecclesiatics declare that they will no no account give up the right to teach in German. They are requesting the Vatican to send a neutral investigator.a According to message from Berlin, anger is shown in many Press comments. The Roman Catholic paper “Germania” says that world opinion indicates that Fascist Italy is becoming as unpopular and isolated as Germany was before the war. “Vorwaerts” says that the Duce’s brutal threats must not be overrated. They form a part of Fascis* routine. It does not believe that he would wage war against Austria because of speeches in the Austrian Parliament, but the Italian treatment ot the Tyrolese marked coercion beyond conception.—A. and N.Z.