LEADER FOR LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1937, Page 8

LEADER FOR LIFE

TITLE FOR, MUSSOLINI

SOME CHANGES FORESEEN

There is persistent talk in Italian political circles about the need of introducing radical innovations into the present Constitution, writes Paul Cremona from Rome to the "Christian Science Monitor." The Government is silent on the matter, but the fact that it has allowed several influential Fascist magazines to examine the problem of constitutional reform and even to advance practical suggestions is taken as an indication that the Government is planning to undertake a comprehensive reconstruction of the whole Constitution. The manifold reforms of a constitutional character already made by Fascism during the last decade; the coming suppression of Parliament and its replacement by a chamber of Fasci and Corporations; the creation of hew State organs which have vitally important functions in the political life of the nation; and, particularly, the strengthening of the executive power, concentrated, one may Bay, in the hands of a single man—the Duce—have completely annihilated the ideal of the old Italian Constitutional Charter. BELONGS TO THE PAST. The latter, promulgated in 1848 by King Charles Albert, before the political unification of Italy had been accomplished, may today be considered only as an interesting historical document which ornaments the archives of the State, without in any way serving as a basis and guide for the Government of the nation. And it is truly a paradox that the present Fascist dictatorial regime, born of a revolution, should have kept in being and still uses, at least in exterior forms, a liberal Constitution which reflects political conditions now completely superseded. .., ~ , The most important constitutional reform believed to be in contemplation concerns.Premier Mussolini's position in the new Fascist State. After the proclamation of the. Fascist Empire in May, 1936, many believed that the moment had come to transform his title of Head of the Government into that of Chancellor. It was authoritatively denied that the Government intended to introduce such, a reform. There was a reason for the opposition. In Italy the word chancellor has a different significance from that which is. attributed to it in other countries. It is in fact applied to certain minor functionaries in the law courts. Signor Mussolini, besides his official title of Head of the Government, carries another designation by which he is perhaps more commonly known. He is the Duce that is to say, the Leader of the nation. It is in no wise improbable that, as a reward of the high services rendered to the country, and especially for the part played m the conquest of the Empire, the title of Duce may receive official recognition and be written into', the Constitution. Signor Mussolini would in this way be nominated Duce for life, and thus his constitutional position, which is that of a dictator in fact, but not in law, would be definitely codified. NEW POWER CREATED. In Italy, up to the outbreak of the Fascist Revolution, it was Parliament, that is, the legislative power, which prevailed over the executive power. With the arrival of Fascism, the position was reversed. Fascism, indeed, besides strengthening the executive power, has created a new power, the power of government. While the executive power is that which administers public affairs according to the provisions of the laws, the power of government* is attributed to the Head of the Government, and in effect exercises a supremacy over the other powers. The King as head of the State reigns but does not govern. The State operates through the Government, and to the responsible head of that Government must be given a power of initiative and of co-ordination to ensure the development of the functions of the State and at the same time to harmonise its normal development. While it is true that today the present head of the Italian Government enjoys an unquestionable supremacy in fact, this does not receive a complete and adequate recognition in the legislation of the country. He exercises, as a matter of fact, certain attributions which, in effect, are not consecrated by law. This situation can only be corrected by modifying, or rather enlarging, the actual powers recognised to the Chief of the Government by the Constitution. There are also many other constitutional anomalies in the present Italian situation which it is thought ought to be removed. For instance, there is no mention in the Constitution either of the Fascist Party, which today exercises'many functions that previously came within the exclusive competence of governmental organs, and the head of which today has the functions and1 attributions of a Minister of the Crown, or of the Fascist militia, which is now recognised as part of the State's armed forces. There already exists a commission appointed by the Fascist Grand Council to suggest the modification to be introduced into the Constitution in connection with the suppression of Parliament and its substitution by the new Chamber of Fasci. It is generally anticipated that this partial reform will be followed by a general revision of the Constitution with the object of Fascistisisg it and rendering it adequate to the existing situation.