THE ITALIAN PRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 71, 21 September 1936, Page 11

THE ITALIAN PRESS

METHOD OF CONTROL

SECRET INSTRUCTIONS

"Giustizia c Liberta," the Italian anti-Fascist paper published in Paris, has secured another series of secret instructions given to the Italian Press during the period from May 1 to July 7, says the "Manchester Guardj ian." A translation of extracts from the series is given here. A' few ex- ■ planatory notes have been added j within brackets:— May 4.—No comments on England: only news. ' If news reaches you of a slight wound in the hand received by Signor Farinacci do not publish it until authorised. [Signor Farinacci, who was prominent in the early years of the Fascist regime, has long been out of favour. He was injured during bomb-throwing exercise, and it is reported that his right hand has been amputated.] May 7.—Great reserve as to future diplomatic developments. Give much space to message in foreign Press on Italy's victory, without comments or interpretations. Do not publish the news of the attempted murder of a magistrate at San Remo. May 8. —No advertising announcements are to be published concerning the cession of one-fifth of civil servants' salaries. . . . May 9—Do not mention Abyssinian coffee for the moment or speak of the possibility of its importation into Italy. . „. , In spite of the abolition of official communiques, news must not be given of the occupation of territories unless it has been officially communicated. FOREIGN COMMENT. May 11.—Give great prominence to the comments in foreign papers on the Italian victory. May 12.—For Geneva, single-column headlines only; news only; no comments. ' ' . If any newspaper should receive a message from the poet D'Annunzio it must not be published, Continue to write in a lofty strain about the Empire. . Signor Tafari must never again be designed as the Negus. Give great importance to cnnes attitude with regard to the return to Italy of the Minister Ciano and the sons of the Duce; wait till you receive the official communique. ■ May 13—Reproduce from this morn-ii-»'s "Popolo di Roma" the letter published in the "Yorkshire Post" containing accusations against British policy. . ■ : „. , . „ Do not give the title of "interview to Captain Ciano's statements to a Berlin journalist. Make no reference whatever to the Catholic Bishop of Harrar or to the situation of foreigners resident in Abyssinia. For Geneva, continue single-column headlines; only news; no comments. May 16.—The news published abroad as to the resumption of the exportatation of aeroplane motors is not to be published. Publish on the front page the news of the submission of the ex-Governor of Jimma. Give little prominence to the promotion of the Duce's sons. May 17.—Reserve to be maintained as to the possible consequences of the departure pf our delegation from Geneva.- It is impossible to say for the moment what developments there will be at Geneva, or how diplomatic conversations will work out. Hence neither suppositions nor comments. Polemics to be continued, however, against the' League of Nations and the perfidy of sanctions. EXALTING THE CONQUEST. The fact pf the conquest of Abyssinia is so great that it has not. yet been rightly appreciated. Publish comments from abroad. After exalting the success, the historical, political, and economic problems implied in the conquest of Abyssinia should be examined. May 21.—Take no notice of the meeting of the International Labour Office which will take place at Geneva at the beginning of June. May 22.—N0 articles or drawings are to be published which may seem to exalt the mixing of races. "Italia Letteraria" was seized for this reason. May 27.—0n pain of the severest penalties you are to abstain from all expressions of mawkishness and tenderness with regard to the Abyssinians. No sentimental episodes, no fraternisation. An absolute and clear division between'the dominating race and the dominated race. No theoretical dissertations on this subject, but keep these instructions in mind whenever Africa is referred to.. May 29.—1n the event of Brazil recognising the annexation of Abyssinia, abstain from publishing the news. As to the occupation of factories in France, confine yourselves absolutely —on pain of seizure—to the bare news, giving no colour, no importance, and no illustrations. June 3.—No more news is to be given about the return of hierarchs (Fascist Party officials) from Abyssinia. [The Fascist Party officials, with the exception of Signor Starace, secretary of the party, were recalled from Abyssinia as soon as Addis Ababa was occupied, and their privileged treatment aroused discontent.] June s.—Nothing is to be said about the unemployed in East Africa. Do not publish the fact that at the military review on the occasion of the "Statute" festivities Indian pilgrims will be present among the foreign tourists. RUSSIAN NEWS BANNED. June 7.—As already directed, the bare news of the occupation of factories in France is to be given, without prominence or colour, and without photographs. Seizure otherwise. June 12.—Nothing more is to be published about the project of the Ossuar at Amba Alagi, nor about the number of dead it will be able to contain. If it should be alluded to again in news from East Africa, call it a Votive Chapel and not an Ossuar. June 13.—Take no notice of Russia and give only the bare news without comment. [This probably refers to the new Russian draft Constitution.] June 15.—Show great reserve in regard to international politics; no optimism. . . . June 17.—Complete reserve and no optimism whatever as to international politics. June 18.—Reserve and sobriety still in the headlines concerning sanctions. In regard to the death of Maxim Gorki, no articles and no comments. Give only the news of his death and, at most, a list of his works. June 19.—Eden's speech must not yet be commented upon because the accounts of it are still incomplete; wait for the text in the official version. In any case, emphasise the importance of the speech, which represents certainly a great political victory for Italy. Six-column headlines. Do not reproduce 'Tribuna" headlines saying that "Eden has been obliged, etc., etc" In the headlines simply report the new tendency of the British Government. You may reproduce in the cross-heads some of the most significant phrases in the speech. June 20.—We confirm the order to make no comments on Eden's speech. Reproduce comments from abroad which are favourable to Italy. Ju ]y 4—lgnore Russia and Titulescu. July 6.—Show complete lack of in- | (.crest in sanctions.