“Down with France”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 527, 3 December 1928, Page 9

“Down with France”

BITTER FEELING IN ITALY Mussolini Supports Demonstrators (United PA. —By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) ROME, Saturday. THE entire nation is gravely wounded by the verdict of the French Court, which practically acquitted the murderer of an old and faithful servant of the State.” This statement, made by Mussolini in an address to the Italian Cabinet and published purposely, is taken as showing the seriousness with which the situation is regarded. Thousands of students and townspeople took part in an anti-French demonstration in Rome, and students at Naples shouted “Down with France.”

THE Rome correspondent of “The : Times” says the indignation in J Italy because Modugno, who assassin- ■ ated the Italian Vice-Consul, Count • Carlo Nardini, in the Paris Consulate 1 in September last year, escaped with two years’ imprisonment and a 200- • francs fine, is unabated. ; There was a great anti-French . demonstration yesterday in which 2.000 : students took place. The authorities were soon aware of the demonstration. They also discovered that it was intended to demonstrate outside the ; French Embassy. When the students reached the Piazza Farnese they found the approach to the Embassy strongly guarded by troops. The students whistled and groaned whenever a face was seen at the Embassy window. The demonstrators then marched to the Palazzo del Litatorio, where they sang patriotic songs until Signor Turati, secretary of the Fascist organisation, appeared on the balcony and returned the Fascist salute. The students next proceeded to the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The procession was swollen by thousands of townspeople, who paid homage at the tomb. The demonstrators returned to the university and secured banners. Pursuing a long route the crowd demonstrated at the Palazzo Chigi in honour of the Duce. They knelt at the Unknown Warrior’s tomb and listened to violent anti-French harangues. SCUFFLES AND ARRESTS Subsequently the demonstrators returned to the Fascist headquarters, where they sang, shouted and waved banners until Signor Turati again appeared and gave the Roman salute. The crowd next again attempted to reach the french Embassy. Troops once more barred the way. There were many scuffles and some arrests were made. Students at Naples held a similar demonstration. They attempted to attack the French Consulate and shouted: “Down with France.” The latest messages to hand from Rome state that the storm has blown up the whole of Italy. When Signor Mussolini addressed the Cabinet, he said: “The Italian Government well understands the indignant emotion of the Italian people and is glad to observe that the spontaneous demonstrations of the students were carried out with perfect order and discipline.” A triple line of troops surrounded the French Embassy on Saturday and large parties of students were not allowed to approach the building. Scores of - Italians who received French war medals and other decorations have decided to return them. Signor Luigi Barbera has already sent to the President of France, M. Doumergue, his Legion of Honour. Signor Mussolini’s brother, writing in the “Popolo d’ltalia,” asks whether the refuse of Communism and antiFascism who find hospitality in France will not feel themselves encouraged to massacre every honest Italian and every representative of the Italian Government. “We remind France,” says the writer, “that the 50,000,000 Italians will not allow further murders of their brothers on French soil.” Some of the newspapers are even' more outspoken. They accuse France of being an accomplice of Modugno. “HOSPITALITY ABUSED” A message from Paris says the French Government is much concerned about the anti-French outbursts in Italy. The matter was considered by the Cabinet, after which a statement was issued to the effect that owing to repeated assassinations by foreigners in France, severe measures will be taken in future to watch political exiles in order to remove their intolerable abuse of French hospitality. It is pointed out that more than 1,000,000 Italians are at present in

France, including a great number of refugees from the Fascist regime. A strong guard has been placed as a precaution outside the Italian Embassy and Consulate. Press comments are restrained. The papers express the hope that Signor Mussolini will make a gesture to calm his countrymen. “L'lntransigeant" admits that the French jury system needs overhauling. A message from Paris says the French Cabinet announces that it Is taking steps to prevent Italian refugees from further abusing French hospitality. “PERIODIC VAPOURINGS” ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT OF MALTA (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Saturday. The Italian newspapers are indulging in one of their periodic attacks on the British administration of Malta, and on the Prime Minister, Lord Strickland, in particular. Most violent abuse is being heaped on the schemes for the establishment of schools, the development of the Anglican Church and the adjustment of the language anomalies. Signor Lavanzati, a member of the Fascist Council, stigmatises Lord Strickland as “a spurious lord/' and his policy as one of “Balkanese brutality.” The diplomatic correspondent of the “Morning Post” says British official circles are not disturbed by these vapourings. Malta has always been a sore point to many Italians, who think its proximity to Italy gives them a special right to an interest in it.