FASCISTI WITHOUT THEIR SHIRTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 4

FASCISTI WITHOUT THEIR SHIRTS

THE PEOPLE WHO GET THINGS DONE NURSERY POLITICS A month ago Italian youths were not only wearing tiheir hearts upon their sleeves (an old custom), out politics upon their backs. You know (writes the- London “Observer’s” Rome correspondent) to what polit.iiial party a man belonged by the colour of his silrirt. Black shirts were the most numerous; the azure shirts of tho Nationalists were Hie motfb picturesque. “Yes,” said Mussolini to a friend, “they are very pretty, but they do not frighten anybody.’' 'Die “Biack Shirtsi,” having put tho fear of Mussolini into the hearts of their enemies with undreamed-of success, and carried “il Duce” to the head of tho Government, have now disappeared from sight as though a. magician had waved a wand. The magician is Mussolini. But you can spot a. Fascist! without his shirt, and if tfie.ro is anything to bo done quickly, you are very gbxd to me<yb him. At Arezzo, the other day, we unhjappy passengers . were plunged into semi-darkness while eating our dinners. Tho Italians, sometimes amazingly patient, merely ramark ed that “the light did not function.” Driven to action by despair, I addressed an alert-looking young man opposite me, with a raw of rib.bons on the lapol of Ijis coat and his hair flowing away from his forehead, who i'or many hours had been immersed in piles of newspapers. “I am sura that you could get the lights to function again, tasedstfeanieiito,” I said to him. And how glad I nas to have learnt the newlyooiried adjective for ijrainpt, direct action! “Only one tiling to bo done,” he murmured as he dived out- or carriage on to the railway line. A hat Iris secret was for action I never learnt; I only knew that tho train, which was about to start in darkness, was delayed a few minutes, after which our journey was continued in brilliant light. This young Fascists, is a naval officer, at present employed by the Government to organise a civilian air service, so eloquently advocated at Milan last July by d’Annunzio.

Fasclsmo in tho Nursery. If Fascist symbols are less prominent, Fascist organisation is by no means dormant. Patriotic festivals bring members together, and m the near future we sliall see what plaais Mussolini has evolved for utilising his forces in peaceful, efficient ways. Arms have already been consigned to Fascist headquarters, but this unique organisation will be kept together in caso of emergency. Before it was an army, before ib was a political party, Fascismo was a spirit, and that is stronger than ever. Indeed, I see every sign that babies will be born with black shirts. A few du vs ago 1 met with Fascisnip m the nursery. A young friend of mine, son of an Umbrian landowner and descendant of a famous “condottiere” of the Renaissance, commands a “vanguard” of his district, composed of boys from tho age of fourteen to seventeen. At eighteen 4hcy will pass into the Fascist “army, modelled on that of ancient Rome, and divided into “Principes,” tlwis'e on active service, and “Triari,” the reserve, who march in triple formation. Master Ghino, aged thirteen, keeps iron discipline. His “men” are drilled by two ex-officer friends of Ims parents, and if anyone turns up late for instruction, after duo warning, he is cashiered. No Admission to So far their chief exploit, lias been to prevent Socialists and thedr "fiancees” from entering the new theatre built through Fascist enterprise, which is having immense success in the whole district. “How can you prevent it?” I asked. “I know all the people round, and by stationing ourselves at the theatre doors it was quite easy to prevent any Communist or Socialist from, entering the theatre-. They were dreadfully bored last winter, as they were not- even allowed io belong to tho local band, and many of them, came over to us. They are now in our village band and have learnt to play ‘Giovinezza di Primavera. I hope you yill bo here next week, ho continued, “because wo are going to inaugurate the pennant for the Balilla squadron, and we shall havo a review.” His eyes sparkled. “What- is Dahlia,” 1 asked, lamely. Balilla was the child who threw a stone at an Austrian colonel as ho was marching into an Italian town and killed him. “He is a hero of our Risorgimento” ; Ghino seemed pained at my ignorance. “It is natural that we should call tho squadron for the small boys of eight to fourteen after him, non e voro?” “Who will be the leader? tour little brother Manno?” “No.” he answered, decidedly. 1 do not- think that he would bo capable of taking command. 1 shall probably nut another boy in charge.