The Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1943. ITALY AFTER FASCISM.

Evening Star, Issue 25032, 26 November 1943, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1943. ITALY AFTER FASCISM.

It is reported to-day that two left-wing Italian political leaders have been included in Marshal Badoglio's Government, which, of course, is a stop-gap administration until stabilising influences control the situation. This development is another indication of the swing away from Fascism in the country, and the emergence of the antifascist political parties that had been kept underground. What is needed now is a leader who can compose the differences.among sections of the people and help them out of the chaos that is the sequel to Mussolini's megalomania. After twenty-one years of cruel persecution of all parties not in sympathy with II Duce these bodies were prompt in their reaction to Mussolini's downfall, and on the day that lie made his humiliating exit they issued a public proclamation. There were five signatories to this document. One was on behalf of the Action party, which is headed by politicians who before the advent of Fascism had been Ministers, senators, or deputies, and whose aim is the rebuilding of democracy. The party has been described as consisting mainly of young men who have been very active in underground work, and who are wise enough not to disregard the advice of men of experience. The Liberal Reconstruction Party has devoted its energies to personal propaganda among the workers, and has laid the foundation of a brotherhood which stresses moral issues over political issues. Then there is the Popular Party, which is loyal to the Vatican in religious matters, but is reported to have been dissolved in the early days of Fascism by the Pope himself because it was essentially anti-Fascist. The Socialists and the Communists complete the five organisations which have subscribed to the proclamation. Socialism had a fairly strong hold in the country when Mussolini came into power, and it received much publicity when one of its leaders (Matteotti) was killed, at the instigation, it was declared at the time, of Mussolini. The Communists have little hold, as their doctrines do not apne'al to the Italians. These five parties include professional men. the industrial workers, and the peasant class._ The people have had a tragic experience under Mussolini. Misled by high hopes, they suffered the extremes of poverty as a result of his lavish expenditure to carry out his ambitious aims, and the result was the loss of' the • African empire and utter defeat at home. The present Government is not likely to endure, for Marshal Badosrlio is a soldier, not'a statesman, and it is evident that the rebuilding of the political structure on a democratic bail's is eioin"' to be one of exceeding difficulty. The shame of Fascist deeds weiehs heavilv on the people, and the political parties will have to pull together to achieve stability and to regain the honour of the nation.