AFTER MUSSOLINI

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 July 1937, Page 11

AFTER MUSSOLINI

WILL CIANO BE NEXT? In the days of Francesco Crlspi, Italian diplomacy, like that of all other countries, was represented by solemn, bearded, and ponderous men, writes “Petrins,” in Le 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 the 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 the young men whose ascent has been quick and brilliant in the past ten or twelve years, none has had a career as rapid and spectacular as Count Galeazzo Ciano di Cortellazo, who in the short period of eleven rears 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 his confidence. The fault-finders in Italy will tell vou 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 the list ... At any rate, this joke 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 societj’ well after she had passed the debutante age; 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 out of the Palazzzo Torlonia in the first days of the regime, and Mussolini, who appreciates the loyalty and frankness of the admiral, made him President of the Senate.

By hereditary disposition, do doubt, young Galeazzo took life as ms pirate ancestors took the vessels in the Mediterranean; he seized it. No sooner had he finished his studies, than he joined his district croup 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. He 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 tne advice of his father, and natural inclination, no doubt, Galeazzo Ciano embarked upon the diplomatic career. He was only twenty-two then, but was immediately appointed attache to the Italian Embassy. first at Rio do Janeiro, then 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 to Rome and given the much-coveted position of 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 bettei' than many the young people. To Mussolini his son-in-law was a typical representative of the new Italian ruling class which he is striving to build up. and the aristocratic admiral could give no better 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 cduple.

THE WEDDING GIFT Mussolini’s wedding-gift was the appointment of his son-in-law as ConsulGeneral in Shanghai. This offered an opportunity for a most interesting wedding-trip. A year later he was envoy in China and chairman of the League’s Committee for the investigation of the Shanghai conflict. Phen he headed the Italian delegation at the Sino-Japanese conference ot Shanghai. He wound up his Far-East-ern career as Minister Plenipotentiary, having climbed all the steps of the ladder in three years. This rising sun needed European consecration and Mussolini sent him to London in 1933, as Italian delegate to the Economic Conference. Thus, gradually, in the course of a brief but varied career. Count Ciano was able to make contact with world affairs, after which Mussolini began to initiate him into the mysteries of Italy s internal machinery. He was appointed chief of the Government Press Bureau, and in September. 1934, became Under-Secretary of State impress and Propaganda. This ascent was interrunted bv the Ethiopian campaign during which Galeazzo Ciano served in the Aii 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 Io 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 bestow upon him: the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, something that the Duce had jealously guarded for himself during most of the time he had been in power, and rightly so, for his foreign policy is a very important part of bis general programme for making Italy one of the leading Powers in the world. Various problems faced the young Secretary of State when be took office. Of course, Italy had won the Ethiopian war and proved l that she was rcadv and able to support her Mediterranean argument with something more concrete than mere words. At (he same time, however, it was necessary to stage a triumphal re-entry on the European political arena. In Italy '.erself, there was a certain feeling of disappointment over the Duce's foreign policy. There was a time dining| the Ethiopian war when, amid the excitement of flag-waving and bandplaying. large sections of the Italian people revelled in an orgy of antiBritish feeling. But. as the fever sub sided, the clear-cut logic of the Latin mind began to come into its own again. IVTcn wovg once moie tlirnk* ing and saying openlv that in the long run Italy could not live in antagonism to England, and that the co-operation and good will of both England and France were essential even for the i successful development of Ethiopia. I As for Germany, the average Itaij ian has never been cons-umcd with love for that country and its people, • ■ for he is afraid of German aggressive-

ness and of being involved in wars that do not affect his own vital interests. . . It was therefore imperative to sound the ground outside ol 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 oh. He was not, of course, entirely successful in the discharge of his mission, especially in Hungary. To save the situation, Kegent 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 balm 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 asundor al ilu* present moment. Ciano does not speak of his person--11 views. Once, though, he remarked t,o a friend that Geneva was bent . upon conservation, while youth was, bent upon conquest, and that those who were content, to sit. with their I hands in their laps and let the League do what it will were not worthy of place in the sun. This declaration is. of course, perfectly in keeping with the general "“style" of the Ciano we are used to seeing in the newsreels. It would be unfair to say that this iieallhy and jovial young fellow lacks charm, which is further enhanced by the calm and serenity emanating from his energetic face and which only the cettainty of success can give. But whether we see a Ciano passing troops in review or taking the Fascist salute or addressing a crowd, we are involuntarily reminded of somebody else. By a peculiar phenomenon of mimicry he is developing an ever greater resemblance to his famous father-in-law. A propaganda film showing him in the exercise of his multiple and manifold functions really showed a radiant and rejuvenated Duce.

In spite of his authority and commanding appearance the youthful head of Italian diplomacy is biding his time and is perfectly content Io play second fiddle for Hie 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. Il must be reassuring to him to feel that the great structure he has started to erect will uot collapse for lack of an architect and that, if ever his hand drops the torch, a younger but no less firm .hand will be there ready to pick it up.