CONTENTION IN ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1941, Page 5

CONTENTION IN ITALY

WIDESPREAD DISCONTENT CRITICISM OF FASCIST PARTY. DULL WAR WEARINESS. I By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 22. “The Times” says that Signor Mussolini seems to be preparing to dismiss some ol his Fascist leaders. Articles strongly critical ol' the party are a ppea ring in Italian newspapers. presumably as a prelude to changes in Ihe Fariuacci regime.

“11 Fascista” says: “The Fascist Party is an enormous top-heavy organisation with a rigid bureaucracy. The corporative system is unable to regulate prices or deal with food supplies, and the laws have not been applied." A correspondent of the “Popolo d’ltalia” says: "Matters are not going well even in the party, which contains a large group which is retarding its progress. In precisely, the Fascist ranks one finds Democrats. Socialists. Freemasons and Liberals." "The Times" adds that Signor Mussolini probably wishes to make a show of meeting the discontent both in the army and the party. Italian officers believe that Herr Hitler has asked for more Italian troops for Russia. Many officers declare that an Italian army depleted for the other front tvould be incapable of defending Italy against a frontal assault. The malcontents in the party can be divided into first, loyalists and rightists; and secondly, leftists. Both want to preserve a modified form of Fascism.

Opinion throughout the country is united in dull weariness of the war and loathing of the Germans. Mussolini has previously overcome' similar widespread moods, and he has now the additional support of the- Gestapo and the tens of thousands of German occupying troops.