MUSSOLINI’S SUCCESSOR

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 11

MUSSOLINI’S SUCCESSOR

!L DUGE PREPARING COUNT CIANO FRONT LINE OF ITALIAN DIPLOMACY In the days of Francesco Crispi Italian diplomacy, like that of all other countries, was represented by solemn, bearded', and ponderous men (writes “ Petrius,” in ‘Lo Mois,’ Paris). , But in this, as in many other respects, the Apennine Peninsula has undergone deep changes, for Fascism is a marvellous shifter of men. Mussolini staked on youth and tho Italy of to-morrow, which is the reason for the frequent reshuffling of his immediate entourage and of the ranks of the Italian diplomacy. But of all tho young men whose ascent has been quick and brilliant in the past 10 to 12 years, none has had a career as rapid and spectacular as Count Galezzo Ciano di Cortellazo, who in the short period of 11 years has worked his way into the very front line of Italian diplomacy, for after giving him his daughter. Edda, in 1930, Mussolini bestowed upon the young man the still more precious gift of bis confidence. Tho fault-finders in Italy will tell you that the country has three rulers to-day: Mussolini, Edda, and Galeazzo. If your interlocutor happens to be of a particularly caustic disposition he will add that it is difficult to say who heads tho list. ... .

At any rate, this wisecrack is a striking illustration of the solidarity of Italians born and bred under different conditions within the ranks of Fascism; Mussolini, the self-made and practically self-taught man; Edda, who made her bow to Roman society well after she had passed the_ debutante ago; Galeazzo Ciano. scion of an ancient patrician family. Ciano’s father, Admiral Costanzo Ciano, a gruff warrior and artful diplomat, was one of the first Italian aristocrats to answer the call of Fascism; he was seen going in and put of the Palazzo Torlonia in the first days of the regime, ami Mussolini, who appreciates the loyalty and frankness of the Admiral, made him President of the Senate. , By hereditary disposition, no doubt, young Galeazzo took life as his pirate ancestors took the vessels in the Mediterranean : he seized it. No sooner had he finished his studies than he joined his district group of the Fascio and chose a profession which is apt to lead up to anything, provided it is dropped soon enough: he became a journalist. Ho worked for ‘ Tribuna, I’lmpero and a few other papers, and wrote two stage plays which were clamorous failures. But he acquired experience and sharpened his teeth and claws on it. In 1925, following the advice of his father and natural inclination no doubt, Galeazzo Ciano embarked upon the diplomatic career. He was only •22 th.en, hut was immediately appointed attache to the Italian Embassy, first at Rio de Janeiro, thou at Buenos Aires. But Latin America is far away, and it was a pity to let such a brilliant subject stagnate there. He was recalled ■69- Hosd® estd "iveii the much coveted position fo secretary of the Italian Embassy at _ the Holy See, a nice job implying mainly homework and giving its fortunate occupant plenty of leisure. Thus it happened that Galeazzo became an assiduous frequenter of the fashionable Roman drawing rooms, where his charming manners soon made him extremely popular. His romance with Edda Mussolini goes back _ to those days. Dictator and Admiral closed the deal quickly, both agreed that they could hardly do better than marry the young people. To Mussolini his son-in-law was a typical representative of the new Italian ruling das-, which lie is striving to build up, and the aristocratic Admiral could

give tho new regime no pledge of co-operation than his own offspring. The transaction was all the more successful as the young people were actually very much in love with each other, and are still referred to as a model couple. Mussolini’s wedding gift was the appointment of his son-in-law as ConsulGeneral in Shanghai. This-offered ;an opportunity for a most interesting wedting trip. A year later he was envoy in China and chairman of the League’s Committee for the investigation of the Shanghai conflict. Then he headed the Italian delegation at the Sino-Japanese conference of Shanghai. He wound up his Far Eastern career as Minister Plenipotentiary, having climbed all the steps of tho ladder in three years. Tho rising sun needed European consecration, and Mussolini sent him to London in 1933, as Italian delegate to tho Economic Conference. Thus, gradually, in the coui’se of a brief but varied career, Count Ciano was able J;o make contact with world affairs, after which Mussolini began to initiate him into tho mysteries of Italy’s internal machinery. Ho was appointed chief of tho Government Press Bureau, and in September. 1934, became Under-Secre-tary of State for Press and Propaganda. This ascent was interrupted by the Ethiopian campaign, during which Galeazzo Ciano served in tho air force as squadron-leader of the famous “ Disperata.” It would indeed be hard to imagine him fighting elsewhere than in the air. But fortune was kind to him there as she had been at the green table of diplomacy.

On his return Ciano could indeed say of himself that he had passed all tests, and he obtained the highest reward Mussolini could have bestowed upon him, the portfolio of Foriegn Affairs, something that the Duce had jealously guarded for himself during most of tho time ho had been in power, and rightly so, for his foreign policy is a very important part of his genera] programme for making Italy one of the leading Powers in the world. Various problems faced the young Secretary of State when he took office. Of course. Italy had won the Ethiopian war and proved that she was ready and able to support her Mediterranean argument with something more concrete than mere words. At the same time, however, it was necessary to stage a triumphal re-entry on the European political arena. In Haly herself there was a certain feel--mg of disappointment over the Duoe’s foreign policy. There was a time during the Ethionian war when, amid the excitement of flag-waving and handplaying, lame sections of the Italian people revelled in an orgy of antiBritish feeling. But as the fever subsided, tho clear-cut. logic of the Latin mind began to come into its own again. Mon were once more .thinking and saying openly that in the long run Italy could not live in antagonism to England, and that tho co-operation and goodwill of both England and France were essential even for the successful development of Ethiopia. As-for Germany, the average Italian has never been consumed with love for that country and its people, for he is afraid of German aggressiveness and of being involved in wars that do not affect his own vital interests. It was therefore imperative to sound the ground outside Italy, and Galeazzo Ciano did not retire behind his desk. He immediately became am-bassador-at-large of His Majesty, the King Emperor, and Started on his rounds of the Central European capitals first. There is every reason to believe that a trip to London via Paris is not too far off.

He was not, of course, entirely successful in the discharge of his mission, especially in Hungary. To save the situation, Regent Horthy had. to be accorded a royal welcome in Rome, and Mussolini exerted all his personal charm and even pressed the King into service to pour halm on the Hungarian wounds, inflicted by Ciano. But it may be said in his defence that even older and more experienced diplomats could hardly have succeeded in reconciling so many conflicting interests as

those tearing Europe asunder at the present moment. Ciano does not speak of his personal views. Onco though, he remarked to a friend that Geneva was bent upon conservation, while youth was bent upon conquest, and that those who were content to sit with their hands in their laps and let the League do what it will were not worthy of place in tho sun.

This declaration is, of course, perfectly in keeping with the general “ style ” of the (Jiano we are used to seeing in the newsreels. It would be unfair to say that this healthy and jovial young fellow lacks charm, which is further enhanced by the calm and serenity emanating from his energetic race and which only the certainty ot success can give. But whether we see a Ciano passing troops in review or taking the Fascist salute or addressing a crowd, wo are involuntarily reminded of somebody else. By a peculiar phenomenon of mimicry he is developing an even greater resemblance to his famous' father-in-law. A propaganda ulm showing him in the exercise of his multiple and manifold functions really showed a radiant and rejuvenated Buce.

In spite of his authority and commanding appearance the youthful head of Italian diplomacy is biding his time and is perfectly content to play second iiddle for the moment. Many people in and outside of Italy consider him the heir presumptive. But the Duce does not think of retiring; he still controls the levers of the machine, although in his heart he is undoubtedly content and proud of having by his side somebody he can model in his own image. It must be reassuring to him to feel that the great structure he has started to erect will not collapse for lack of an architect and that, if ever his hand drops the torch, a younger but no less arm hand will be there ready to pick it up.