"THE FOURTH ITALY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 194, 17 August 1936, Page 6

"THE FOURTH ITALY."

I have read with great interest the article headed "Horst Wessal." There is greater significance attached to these new national anthems than probably the ordinary reader imagines. In the section of the article dealing with Italy the striking phrase occurs: "The Fourth Italy." Could you oblige me with further illumination 011 the phrase? T. SOUTHWORTH. [The history of Italy, ancient and modern, is not defined by any clear-cut four periods. Obviously, this would be almost impossible to do. The expression "The Fourth Italy" seems to be a "coined" phrase by contemporary writers in respect of Italy's more modern history, rather in the same way as Germany is referred to as "The Third Reich." Adopting this premise, the four political periods might be taken as from, say, about 1848, when general, although unsuccessful, efforts were made for freedom, and during which Napoleon 111. and the Italians made war on Austria; from IS7O, when Victor Emmanuel (who had been proclaimed King of Italy in 1S61) entered Rome and Italy's emancipation was completed; from 1914; and from the Fascisti March on Rome in October, 1922. The first period was largely characterised by autocracy and the birth of nationalism; the second by the triumph of the Quirinal over the Vatican, that is, the loss by the Pope of temporal power, and also the introduction of democracy; and the third by the rapid application of democracy. The present regime is essentially one of dictatorship.—Ed.]