FASCIST UNREST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 74, 24 September 1941, Page 6

FASCIST UNREST

DISCONTENT IN ITALY

CRITICISM OF THE PARTY

CHANGES POSSIBLE

(By Telegraph—Pres3 Association— Copyright.)

LONDON, September 22,

"The Times" says that Signor Mussolini seems to be preparing to dismiss some of his Fascist leaders. Articles strongly critical of the party are appearing in Italian newspapers, presumably as a prelude to changes in the Farinacci regime.

"II Fascista" says: "The Fascist Party is an enormous top-heavy organisation with a rigid bureaucracy. The corporative system is unable to regulate prices or deal with food supplies, and the laws have not been applied."

A correspondent of the "Popolo d'ltalia" says: "Matters are not going well even in the party, which contains a large group which is retarding its progress. In the very ranks of the Fascist Party one finds democrats, Socialists, Freemasons, and Liberals. "Thd Times" adds that Signor Mussolini probably wishes to make a show of meeting the discontent both in the army and in the party.

Italian officers believe that Herr Hitler has asked for more Italian troops for Russia. Many officers declare that ah Italian army depleted for the other front would be incapable of defending Italy against a frontal assault.

The malcontents in the party can be divided into, first, loyalists and rightists; and secondly, leftists. Both want to preserve a modified form of Fascism.

Opinion throughout the country is united in dull weariness of the war and loathing of the Germans. Mussolini has previously overcome similar widespread moods, and he has now the additional support of the Gestapo and the tens of thousands of German occupying troops.