The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1926. MUSSOLINI’S ESCAPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 10 April 1926, Page 8

The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1926. MUSSOLINI’S ESCAPE.

Various attempts have been made on the life of Mussolini, hut hitherto the plots have always been discovered and foiled. Although the attempted assassination by a grief-stricken woman with mind unhinged may have no political significance, it is manifestly plain that the hand of thei assassin has been raised against the Italian dictator. If is interesting to note that Signor Mussolini, formerly editor of the Milan newspaper, “Popolo d’ Italia,” and an ardent Socialist, in the autumn of 1920 became the leader of the Fascists, nil organisation which had been formed following- the outbreak of. Communism. Within a short time the -Fascists were masters of Italy, and after the 1922 election completely dominated the Chamber of Deputies, Signor Mussolini becoming Prime Minister. A virtual dictatorship wa.s now established, and a period of reconstruction began in Italy. The Army, Navy, and industry were reorganised, and a peri od of strong Imperialism initiated. Signor Mussolini took drastic action against Greece in 1923, following the murder of the Italian members of a boundary commission on the GraecoAlbanian frontier. The bombardment of Corfu nearly precipitated a European crisis, and Mussolini may have determined to pay off old scores agaipst the League by prompting Brazil to reduce the recent meeting of the League Assembly to a farce. In 1924 the murder of a Socialist Deputy, Giacomo Matteotti, caused a revulsion against Fascism, which required all the dictator’s diplomacy and statesmanship to overcome. Italian publio opinion Was deeply stirred by-the resolutions of sympathy abroad with Signor Matteotti’s family and his political party, notably that of the British Labour Party in Parliament. Signor Mussolini denounced the deed and promised to bring all the guilty to justice, whoever they might be. Nevertheless, the murder, gruesome details of which were eventually discovered, continued for several months to create discontent in Italy, the Government being- frequently accused of being tardy in the search for the assassins. Last month three men were found guilty of the murder of Mattedtti, and were sentenced to six year’s imprisonment, of which four years was remitted under the recent amnesty. They had awaited trial 21 months, and thus the net imprisonment amounted to 82 days. It is an astonishingthing that there are still intelligent people even in Britain who maintain that Mussolini is not a tyrant. But for arrogance, mean malice arid petty vindictiveness the record of the Italian Prime Minister would be Lard to Leaf. Let one example of Mussolini’s “nobility of action” suffice' to reveal his true character. Theredied in a Paris hospital in February, a young- Italian writer pnd journalist, well known in lhe literary circles of his own country, Signor Gpbotfi. He was a man of whom under ordinary circumstances his countryman would reasonably have- been proud. But he had the misfortune to he opposed politically to the present form of government in Italy; and the singular result of that fact is disclosed in a letter published by the enterprising French paper, “Le Quotidian.” This letter signedaccording to the “Quot-idien,” which reproduces a facsimile cf it - —by Mussolini himself, was addressed to the Prefect of Turin in January, 1924, and runs as follows: “It is reported to me that the well-known Gobetti has recently set out for Paris, and that lie is at the moment in Sicily. Kindly keep me informed and be on the look-out. to render life anew difficult to this iechle enemy of the .Government imd of lascism.” Is it any wonder that the hand of the assassin has teen lifted against such a malicious tyrant. Doubtless the Italian masses will cheer Mussolini until they turn to rend him when Ihey begin to realise the disastrous position into which, Italy is drifting, hut independent and ohsorv-' nut critics arc not, at a loss to find a proper description, of a Government. guilty of the conduct, credited to Mussolini and his vindictive dupes.