REVIVAL OF LIBERALISM

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 21

REVIVAL OF LIBERALISM

SIGNOR NITTI AND ITALY

"Bolshevism, Fascism, and Democracy," By Francesco Nitti, ex. Prime Minister of Italy. London: George Allen and Unwin.

A few days ago the Press cablegrams reported a meeting between the King of Italy aid five Italian ex-Prime Ministers, but the name of Francesco Nitti, who was Prime Minister in 1917 and retired in 1920, was not mentioned as among them; The five ex-Premiers warned the King of the millions of lire being spent annually under the Mussolini regime on espionage directed against anti-Fascists, and charged the Fascist authorities with plunging the kingdom into economic Bolshevism in order to placate the working-classes. The King, it is reported, listened to all that was said, but declined to do anything to alter the existing situation so long as "even a formal Parliament exists." Signor Nitti says very much more than his fellow ex-Premiers. He shows how "II Duce" vaulted to power when Italy was suffering from national neurasthenia, and he also shows how that power is chiefly engaged in suppressing all political freedom. A parallel is drawn between Bolshevism in Russia and Fascism in Italy, describing how the lines meet and merge into one and the same, having the same end: destruction of Liberalism, and all.that it stands for. Tint not only in Italy, in some other Continental countries, as Signor Nitti sees it, "Reaction is in full swing." Democracy is sick. He writes:—

After repeated triumphs for the Liberal ideal we are. at present witnessing a veritable crisis in tho history of freedom—due to revolutionary movement, like Bolshevism, now to reactionary and authoritarian movements like Fascism and military dictatorship.

_ Everywhere Signor Nitti sees revolutionaries and reactionaries at work, and the struggle, he foresees, will be rather between them than between Liberals and the other parties. Bolshevism and Fascism are alike to him in that both are negations of freedom and both are based on force; in both minorities, taking advantage of the conditions created by the war, have imposed armed force, and' now "maintain their position by suppressing freedom and proving their hatred and scorn of democratic organisation." But the Italian reaction is uninspired by any ideal, and rests solely upon violence.

Leading up to Mussolini himself, the author states that he was, and is, at heart an admirer of Bolshevism, without respect for law, and a profound confidence in the efficacy and use of violence. But he has the knack of speaking to' the mob arid swaying it, and he speaks, well, simply, and. with force. But as Signor Nitti sees him, Mussolini in brief, namely that Mus'solinism was ruining Italy body and soul. The present tion to conquer and domineer.'' In effect,'Sigrior Nitti says at length' what the five ex-Prime Ministers above referred to recently told the Khig.of Italy in brief, that Mussolinism was ruining Italy body and soul. The' present lascist Parliament the author describes as "a comedy in the midst of the Italian tragedy." In reality the Chamber of Deputies no longer exists, and the Senate has no power or influence, and the Opposition members of that body live under the threat of assassination Although Signor Nitti can see no other solution.to the problem of Italian fascism than' revolution or war—perhaps one following the other—h<v-is not without hope that Fascism will be found out" and overthrown. But the longer.it lasts the greater is the danger of war or revolution. It is Government based on violence and depends on a single mau and thereforo it cannot endure. I™l«r'3T a.s9ism no> Bolshevism, Signor mm believes, have any chance of permanenco because they aro morely trim-" sitory phenomena, the aftermath of tho war. Freedom and democracy will hib predicts emerge victorious and r'einvigorated from their struggle against revolution which is "the slculaf m"- racle of ignorant minds and against reaction, which is a return to barbar-

Signor Nitti, who has a price on his head and is banished from Italy, has ably written his views, and they give abundant food for thought. Ho owes much to his translator/Margaret M Green, for the lucidity with which those views aro presented to English readers