A LONE HAND

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 111, 6 November 1935, Page 9

A LONE HAND

PLAYED BY MUSSOLINI

OWNS W0 ADVISERS

Premier Benito Mussolini has never been a believer in "brain trusts" for . running the affairs of his Government. He feels that he himself supplies all the brains required, writes Arnaldo Cortest from Rome to the "New York Times." He goes on the principle that things are never so well done as when he does them personally, and his un- / limited confidence in himself is proved by the fact that he heads seven of the fourteen Ministries of which the Italian Government is composed. He has many trusted lieutenants, but they can hardly be considered advisers, as their functions are virtually limited to carrying out the orders he gives them. The lack of any advisers in the true sense of the word is shown by the speed with which Premier Mussolini changes his principal collaborators. He evidently is jealous of his position as undisputed dictator of Italy, and delights in shifting his men about in an inscrutable and often apparently erratic ■ manner. None of his Ministers ever j feels sure of his post, for even the best of them knows he may be removed at any minute. This system has the advantage that everyone who works for Premier Mussolini gives his very best to please him. It has the drawback that it accentuates the isolation into which Mussolini has been retiring more and more since he became head of the Government thirteen years ago. The more prominent of his collaborators are those who last the shortest time. Dino Grandi, who for some years was in charge of Italian foreign policy, first as Under-Secretary and then as Minister of Foreign Affairs and was at one time considered the most promising among the rising young men of Fascism, is now Ambassador to London and completely out of the political swim. General Italo Balbo, whose exploits in the air once raised him to the dizzy heights of the principal Italian hero, is now Governor of Libya and as far removed as is Mr. Grandi from the centre of political activities. These examples could be duplicated almost endlessly. NO BASIS. Various people at different times lave been reputed to exercise great in.luence over Mussolini. The fact that they are now almost all forgotten proves that their reputations were unbounded. Mussolini always played a tone hand. He uses men as circumstances demand, but is always ready to discard them if they fail in their ■jobs or as soon 'as their usefulness is exhausted. Sometimes he consults persons who have specific knowledge of some particular technical question, but the object of these consultations is usually to obtain the data on which to base his own decisions and only very Seldom to ask advice. The only person who may be conidered to have had any real influence ver Mussolini is Admiral Costanzo Jiano, whose son, Galeazzo. married Mussolini's daughter Edda some years go. He and Mussolini were and still ire fast friends and. have respect for ;ach other's qualities and judgment. The admiral, however, -has retired from active participation in the Gov-1 ernment, and holds the prominent, but mainly, decorntivo. position of President of the Chamber. His place has been taken to some extent by his son Galeazzo, who is now Minister of Propaganda. Before his departure for East Africa as a volunteer airman the younger Ciano was one of. the nersons closest to Mussolini. But hq is still very young, being barely 30 fears old, and it cannot yet bo said 'nat Mussolini leans on him for guid"•'ance. Mussolini relies on the newspapers and the auclienocs he daily grants to persons from all walks of life to keep . in touch with nublic oo'n;<-.n. H<? is a voracious reader, especially of the foreign Press, which reflects all shades of oninion more accurately than the strictly-controlled Italian Press. In it he reads what the world is thinking and saying shout Italy and his way of running thincs. But mor£ rmd more p.s the year-, go by Mussolini retires into tho sholl of isolation. His contacts with peoplo outside have frown less f'-onumt. he sees fewer and fewer vr-ifnrs. and ho has become r"""b mir" <};(T>nH to .c"

As a enn^nuenco. hh touch with people and ihin"s is l<-s<; intimnfc\ and his .iudcmonf ins perhaps become more liab1" to pi-rnr.

In publishing yesterday Ihc teams for the Rugby match between the All Blacks and Oxford University it was inadvertently stated that the match was to be played yesterday instead of tomorrow..

The International cable newt appearing In this Issue is published b.v arrangement with the Australian Pre3s Association and UlO "Sun," "Herald," Kowa Office. Limited.