BRITISH FASCISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 29

BRITISH FASCISTS

A SPLIT IN THE RANKS

NEW MOVEMENT FORMED

Dissensions in the ranks of the' Britis- Union of Fascists- have led to the formation of a rival organisation led by two of Sir Oswald Mosley's former chief lieutenants, says the "Morning Post" of April 13. Many-other high officials have already joined the new movement, which threatens to split the British Union of Fascists.

The leaders of the new organisation, the "National Socialist League," are Mr. John Beckett and Mr. William Joyce, until recently Sir Oswald Mosley's director of publicity and 'director Df propaganda respectively. "As a result of four years' experience of the British Union of Fascists in high official positions," Mr. Williafn Joyce told a "Morning Post" representative, "we can say quite definitely that the union has completely, failed to win support in the country. Many people who would have joined the

union for its policy were repelled by its methods, and countless others who did join left after a few months' experience of the way it was run. Sir Oswald Mosley's insistence on a personal autocracy and Continental 'heel ciickings,' his borrowing of the insignia of the movement from one coum try, Italy, and its song from another, Germany, repelled and will repel the great majority of Englishmen:"";.; . EXPELLED^-6 7:3~5/--Mr. Beckett, who was also present, agreed. "We'were expelled from the union on March 11, without any consul-, tation, consideration, or notice/, on 7 grounds of economy," he said?,; "The real reason was that we told him the truth.' '' ■ ■■" A. 3.yA:/ 7 3 7 "Sir Oswald Mosley is surrounded by flatterers, and it is impossible for any of the rank and file of the move-, ment to see him or voice Its 'discontent. .He is told that all is'going well in the districts —we know better.;-'----"The method of appointing Parliamentary candidates has caused seething discontent; the districts are' not consulted; and local leaders do not know who has been foisted on them until they read the name in.the-Party's Press. As a result, Sir Oswald yMosley is losing his followers'- confidence." , 7

Among the high officials of the-Bri-tish Union; • of; Fascists who have resigned and joined the new League are, it. is stated,. Mr., J. A,, Mac Nab, former; editorsof,|the -Quarterly" and Press propaganda Officer;' Captain Vincent Collier,;, senior staff speaker; Mr. Nagles, one of the principal London speakers; and Captain Priestley, t'.ie senior'natibijal inspector. ' y-v"A number of district leaders, InEluding those of Eulham, Guildford, arid Lincoln, have also joined us," Mr. William •■ Joyce added, "together with the majority of the Fascists in London: - University. Our main object is to gain . tho, support of those who believe in the principles of the British Union of Fascists, but dislike its methods: we shall have7no swastikas, no.semi-mili-tary organisation, no figurehead, but' will be governed a council. Local branches, of our league are in process of formation in Camberwell, Kilburn, Norwood, Fulham, and Birmingham, and we shall hold our firist public meeting in London on April 30." On . inquiry at the National Head* quarters of the British Union of Fa» cists, the "Morning Post" was informed: "We are afraid that we can make no statement on any of these matters."