CHANGING FASCISM

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 102, 27 October 1925, Page 7

CHANGING FASCISM

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION

IS IT BECOMING SOCIALISTIC?

A LEADER'S ATTACK 0&

CAPITALISM,

An all-important question for Italy's future is the following:—Can the alliance within the .Fascist Party between Conservative Nationalism, represented by men like Signor Federzoni, .Minister o? the Interior, and what—intending no offence—is best termed Syndicalist Jingoism, represented by _ men like Signoi 1 Fariiiiicci, secretary of the party, long endure? If not, which tendency will prevail? In other words, is Siguor Mussolini happier in a top hat and frock coat chatting with bankers and admirals, or in a black shirt haranguing his humbler" followers from a street window amid Hoods of applause won by the same rhetorical devices which made him, in 1912, master of the Socialist Party? And if the black coat were finally doffed for the blafk shirt, what would be the effect were the illustrious wearer to liven^ the sombre garb with a scarlet cravat from his pre-war wardrobe? These questions are much alive at the moment, declares the Rome correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian." The Grand Fascist Council will shortly have to consider the proposals for constitutional reform of Professor Gentile and his eighteen "Solons." In the absence of an authorised text, volumes of interviews and indiscretions reveal that the position of the Syndical organisations in the State has been the principal problem tackled by the Solons. But their conclusions. have been far from unanimous. ■- ■

SYNDICALIST ."SOLONS." *

In fact, the eighteen experts have split up roughly into a majority fraction of Syndicalist Jingoes and a ■. minority fraction of 1 Conservative Nationalists. The majority scheme, known by the immo of Professor Arias, is to enrol the entire nation into so-called corporative colleges, which, .besides acting as electoral bodies for half the 'members of Parliament, will also be employed •in settling disputes between Capital and Labour, facilitating the coalescence of firms in the interest of "reduced costs, perfecting social legislation, furthering technical education, etc.

Professor Gentile, who advocates this scheme, denies that it has anything to do with compulsory Syndicalism since, he says, the corpejrative colleges will not be trade, unions, but will •■ rather resemble tho medical register or the chambers of commerce: The trade unions will'remain outside the corporations, though checked and kept in their place by them.

Signor Farinacci, whose programme does include compulsory syndicalism of the most rigorous type, agrees that this is not the real article, and calls out loudly for something more unmistakably and intrunsigently Fascist. To compulsory Syndicalism (he proposals are, however, at least sufficiently alike to make Signov Coppola and five other Solons of 'the. Nationalist type feel very uncomfortable. The Conservative Nationalists fear-not only .that such, a reform will reduce the State to "a mere system of crude economic interests," while it should be."an■ethical, political, and historical synthesis,"' but also' that the existing Syndicalist organisations must either be swallowed up or else attain an enormously enhanced importance. •■ ■• ."■ '". "■■ "' ■■'"

White the Solons' proposals; awn.it the attention of the Grand Fascist Council and the Duce, thrco trade union leaders have made known opinions which are highly pertinent to the situation. Sjgnor Edmondo Rossoni, leader oi'the Fascist trade- unions, delivered a. speech in Naples last week in which he jsaid some very nasty things about the Socialists, but much nastier ones about the Avontine, which he tended to portray as a cliquo of unscrupulous capitalists. Hero aro some points-from'tin's speech:— "The Communist . proletariat can, in my view, do little harm to Mussolini or Fascism, but certain financiers and industrialists may be disastrous lor them.

"Unfortunately many employers will yield nothing save in response to strong agitations or even threats of danger. . . Tho Fascist unions will never fail to show a stiff front to the employer who thinks only of his own interests." And finally :—

"Stop speaking of Fascist reforms. Reforms belong by right to tho most odious party in Italy, the Reformists (?.Eodcrate Labour). Speak of the Revolution in Progress !"

SOCIALIST PEAISE OF THE SOLONS Meanwhile the "Epoca" has snatched

unauthorised interviews from tho lips of two Socialist trade unionists. These interviews reveal unmistakable satisfaction on the part of the speakers with certain points in the Solons' proposals. Both leaders have written lengthy disclaimers, chiefly, it would seem, to placato tho wrath oE their,friends on the A.ventinc, but the disclaimers - hardly touch tho substance of their remarks. Signor d'Aragona, who is secretary of tho So-, cialist uuions (which arc now, however, independent of any Parliamentary connection), declares that so far from him and his friends having any objection to the election of deputies through tho corporative colleges, such a scheme corresponds to their own aspirations. Signoy. Baldesi recalls that in 1922 he saw Mussolini twice in the attempt to reconcilo Fascism with tho trade unions, and that only Fai'inaeci's intervention thwarted him. His attitude would be the same to-day were occasion to arise once more. But where, he. asks, is the man to effect the reconciliation ? These interviews are noted with the uttermost irritation by tjie press of tho Nationalist old guard. No prophecy is intended • (as 100 many have been idly mr.de in the ;>:>st) o£ an impending return of Mussolini and his party ,to a standpoint nearer to their Sot:i;ili;t origins. But those who survey the obscure outlook for signs of possible developments cannot overlook this one. At tho last Fascist Congress Rossoni rctniirked that Fascism "must also safeguard the interests of Labour.'' "Also?" shouted Mussolini in great -annoyance. "Yon mean only." L'iniilly, ;>s an independent but co-or-dinated phenomenon, lot it be remarked that, Soviet Russia is the only major Tower of wlioso Government and policy the Fascist press" now .=,pc.iks with almost consistent friendliness and approval.