ITALY MUZZLED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 10

ITALY MUZZLED

RULE OF MUSSOLINI

DICTATORSHIP TO DESPOTISM

MR, CHARLES WILSON'S IMPRESSIONS.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

"The people of Italy tiro becoming tired of Mussolini's rule," said Mr. Charles Wilson, formerly Parliamentary Librarian, who returned from :i world tour by the Niagara yesterday. Mr. Wilson was not nioro lliau 150 yards from Signor Mussolini when a bomb was thrown at .the dictator's car. Describing tho incident, Mr. Wilson said that, although only 150 yards distant, he did not hear tho explosion of tho bomb thrown by tho young stonemason, Giovannini, but know that sonicithing was amiss by tho sudden nppoaranco of hundreds of Fascist i. They smashed tho windows of a noarby Socialist co-operativo store. "Troops with machino-giuis then came on the scone, and I though I it time I got out," Mr. Wilson until. "Needless to say, all tho Socialists ii: the vicinity disappeared. Tho cnbloil reports, to tho effect that tint Homo crowds woro incensed, hvo outiroly wrong. Outsido tho Fascist!, thoro whs no manifestation of sympathy tit all. On tho night of tho incident the people of Eomo wero sullen, quid, anil ilisoimtented. That evening I hoard Mussolini addross n crowd on tho Pinstr.a Colonua. Ho mndo a strong- .speech, and bitterly attacked I'ranco by implication, it is no exaggeration to sny that Italy is muzzled by Mussolini. It seems to me that his rule- is changing from dictatorship to despotism. Tho latest advice was that ho hold seven Ministerial portfolios, and ho is undoubtedly trying to run tho country himself."

Mr. Wilson said that in Italy one could not speak without tho fear oi' bringing the wrath of the dictator and his followers on one's head. The Fascist! themselves were -very young and irresponsible, and it was a question whether Mussolini could keep them in order. There was no doubt that, industrially, Italy was making wonderful progress, Mussolini being responsible for much of it. On the other hand, the cost of living was simply crushing. "There is no question that Mussolini has power," he continued, ''but I must confess that I am much afraid of the future. What will happen I cannot say, but the people soem discontented.'' While in New York, Mr. Wilson was within sight of Tombs Prison when a battle was fought between prisoners and warders on 3rd November. Ho was driving y in a char-a-banc with his wife, and when passing near the Tombs Prison they heard shots. "At first I thought the people were celebrating the victory of Mr. Al. Smith for the New York Mayoralty," he said. "Suddenly, however, dozens of police appoared from nowhere. We heard more shots, and thon our char-a-banc took another route. We later heard that the fight was brought about by an attempt .to escape made by three prisoners. Three were killed and two others wore mortally injured." Mr. Wilson has returned fully, restored to health. With Mrs. Wilson, he visited Australia, France, Holland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, and Canada. While in Paris he renewed many acquaintances he made during his stay there many years ago.