FASCIST GOOSE-STEP

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 162, 5 April 1938, Page 11

FASCIST GOOSE-STEP

Mussolini’s Reasons For Its Adoption The Fascist goose-step—“il passo romano di parata,” to give it its full title—appears to have come to stay, says the Rome correspondent of the “Sunday Times.” Il Duce made' that clear at a recent big parade. His list of reasons for its adoption was characteristic: it symbolises the strength and determination of the younger generation; It is difficult; it is the purest expression of the militaristic spirit and it cannot be achieved by pot-bellied sedentaries. Quite as characteristic were the omissions from this list, which may also have had something to do with its adoption—Mussolini’s visit to Germany last year and the Fuehrer’s approaching return visit. Soon after II Duce’s return it was reported that two things had particularly impressed him in Germany. They were said to be the cavalry horses which marched in time to music and the goose-step. Training cavalry horses, however, is not a matter of a few months but of years. There fe-. niained the goose-step. ,

There appears to have been a good deal of scepticism about its appropriateness to the Boman scene. For Bomans have a keen and caustic humour, and many people in high quarters apparently looked askance at the idea of providing subjects for it. But Il Duce informed the doubting Thomases publicly that, their quahnS were out of place. To make the position plain, the goose-step was decreed for the Fascist youth, the students, and the Avanguardisti Moschettieri, as well as for the militia. The ' Moschettieri, picked men drawn from various groups, are the Dime’s personal bodyguard. The army, however, has not yet been brought into line with the fascist organisations. The Press has been hammering at the subject with a unanimity and vigour such as only totalitarian States can attain. Streamer heads, heavy type, and abundant photographs are being brought to bear on the public to make them goose-step-minded. It is open to question whether the photographs are good propaganda. Certainly the feet and legs do not display that uniform angle and incidence that chiefly distinguish the goose-step from the cakewalk. It may be inadequate training or it may be temperament. The Latin Is individualistic, and does not fit to a mould as easily as the Teuton. Out of Trim. Normally, the Italian marches with an easy rhythm in effortless alignment. The goose-step Jhrows him out of trim. His body goes too far back. His toes point up instead of down. But the effort goes on, and we shall see. At first no mention was made of the Teutonic origin of the passo romano. So far as the Press was concerned, it might have come out of the sky. But the connection was too obvious, and something had to be done about it. The problem was solved on the lines of the old chicken-and-egg conundrum. The pundits of the Press explained that the passo romano was not derived from the goose-step, but that the goosestep sprang from the passo romano. No less.

By a process of classical reconstruction which is not quite clear, the passo romano was traced back to the measured march of the Ronpin legions, “and not, as some might have thought,” says Virginlo Gayda, “to a superficial imitation of other foreign parade steps—which, moreover, differ somewhat in the rhythmic movement of the limbs and the general carriage of the body.’ Across a thousand-year gap, when many another tradition perished, this was alive in Maurice of Nassau, thence

passed through Prince Eugene to Frederick the Great, who, it was pointed out. though the quintessence of Teutonism. still turned a receptive mind to Hie classical tradition. In his enthusiasm Frederick overdid it and produced the goose-step. The pure classic has now resumed its sway.