GENERAL RUDKIN, D.S.O.

Evening Star, Issue 19518, 28 March 1927, Page 3

GENERAL RUDKIN, D.S.O.

IN DUNEDIN FOR A FEW DAYS KNOWS MUSSOLINI PERSONALLY General Charles Rudkin, D. 5.0., came to Dunedin on Saturday evening, accompanied by his wife, and they are staying at Wain’s Hotel. This morning a ‘ Star ’ reporter was granted a few minutes’ conversation with the general, and learned that he and Mrs Rudkin intended when they came hero to remain until Saturday morning, but ho is now asked to attend a soldiers’ dinner in Ashburton at which the Governor-General is to be present, and to-day he was not quit© sure of his movements.

General Rudkin is travelling for his health. He was severely wounded in the Great War, and since then has had a strenuous time in the discharge of his duties in the British Parliament, where he represented the Chichester Division of West Sussex. Ho is not now in the Commons, having declined to stand for election a second time on account of his hcntlh To get strong again he is on a six months’ tour, and is making use of his travels to learn something at first hand about the colonies. WAR EXPERIENCE Ho served in the-South African War of 1899-1902. on Lord Methuen’s staff, and afterwards commanded a brigade of artillery. Ho was at the relief of Mafeking and the engagements of Elands- River, also at the relief of Zeerust and at the relief of Hoopstadt from Fourteen Streams, and was with the forces at Klerksdonrp. Rnsteuberg, Oliphant’s Nek, Schweizaranka, and Commando Drift. Being wounded in the last-mentioned engagement, he was invalided and sent Home at the end of the war. In the World’s War the genenl had a wide experience. He went to Havre with the First Division, was ordered straight to the front, and_ served through to the end in Belgium and France and finally in Italy. Ho commanded a division at Ypres and on the Somme, and in Its ly was at the historic, defence of the Pinve River and op the operations on the Asiago Plateau, where he was severely wounded and sent as an invalid to England, where lie spent two and a-half years in_ hospital, and when discharged found himself limb crippled for life. In addition to the D. 5.0., General Rudkin holds the Mednglia al Valore (equivalent to the British V.C.) and the Croce di Guerra.

MUSSOLINI: THE MAN AND THE PATRIOT Of his own doings in two big wars and of his pessonal experiences of any sort, the general was disinclined to speak. The particulars above recorded had to be coaxed from him. On the subject of Italy, however, General Rudkin spoke freely and with enthusiasm. Having served in Italy, ho knows that country and its people, and has occasionally of late lectured on the subject, with special reference to Mussolini and the influence of Fascism in Italy. In America those lectures were eagerly listened to, and the Christchurch citizens were delighted to hear one of them. There is a possibility ol a lecture in Dunedin if circumstances permit. It all depends upon how tho general’s movements are planned. Invited to state his opinion about Mussolini, the gcn'.ral replied: “I consider Mussolini one of the greatest and most successful rulers of modern times. His regime has not only saved his country from the fate of Russia and probably also saved Europe from n similar fate, but ho has made Italy one of the most progressive and commercially successful countries in Europe. Personally he is a man of outstanding moral and physical courage, who commenced his life without any natural advantages and by extraordinary ability, pluck, patriotism, and organising capacity has won his way to the hearts of the people, revolutionising. the old dolcc far niente Italy to such an extent as to surprise oven America by its progress. lam honored in being personally known to_ Mussolini. He gave mo special permission to go over the naval arsenal at Speria, the largest establishment of its kind in Italy—a. favor seldom accorded to any foreigner. lam also known to General Diaz, Commander in Chief of_ the Italian army, and I had tho privilege of being known to Admiral Simonotti, Commander-in-Chicf of the Italian navy, whose recent death is a great loss to the nation.” BALKANS TROUBLE MAY SIMMER OUT. The general replied thus to a question as to what bo thought of the Balkans situation: “ Italy lately signed a treaty ■with Albania, and, although Mussolini docs not wish to disturb the pence ol Europe, he is not the man to desert an ally in any eventuality that may arise. Russia is irritated by the_ tacit agreement of Italy to the occupation oi a portion of Bessarabia, and there has been a feeling of unfriendliness between Italy and Franco for some years, and tho fact that. France and Czecho-Slovn-kia are entering into diplomatic relations further complicates the matter. Tho general view amongst persons who seo a little of what is going on seems to ho that tho rumpus has been faked up by enemies of Fascism in order to try to embroil Italy and the Fascist Government in the Balkan dispute, which they hope will lead to serious consequences. Mussolini, however, is too expert a diplomatist to allow his country to suffer from vindictive and irresponsible enemies, and tho worry will probably simmer out before long.”