ITALY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 June 1924, Page 7

ITALY

A DISTRESSED NATION. MINISTERS TO RESIGN. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, June 28. The extent to which the murder of Signor Matteotti has shaken Italy was indicated by yesterday’s dav of mourning. " \ The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the majority of the nation regard Signor Matteotti not as a Socialist, but as one who personated the national demand for liberty and the return of equality between citizens rich and poor. Men, women, workmen, officials and politicians suddenly stopped and bowed their heads. . The scene w’as most impressive on the Piazza Colonna, where 2000 stood in perfect silence and hundreds knelt on the wreath-covered spot on the Tiber embankment where Signor Matteotti was kidnapped. Reports from Milan, Naples, Florence, a ud. elsewhere state that there were similar demonstrations there. The political situation between the Opposition and the Government is still in suspense. The Opposition declares it will return to Parliament only on condition that there is a strict return to a constitutional form, equality of rights, and liberty of speech. It also demands the settlement of the question of the Fascist militia, arguing that the existence of 60,000 armed men at the nation’s expense for party purposes has never been allowed in any country. The Premier (Signor Mussolini), it is understood, is not disposed to dissolve the militia, hut is willing for it to hear fidelity to the King and to he incorporated in the national army, which compromise may satisfy the Opposition. It is understood all the Ministers will resign on Saturday, leaving "feigner Mussolini free to reconstitute the Ministry.

ROME, June 28. A meeting of the Opposition groups, after considering the crisis caused by the murder of Signor Matteotti, a deputy, passed a'resolution of no confidence in the present Government, demanding the GoA'ernment to abolish the Fascist militia and unhesitatingly repress every form of illegality. MUSSOLINI’S POLICY CONDEMNED Received June 30, 8.5 a.m LONDON, June 28. The July issue of English Life contains an article by Signor Matteotti C °l- ? mning Signor Mussolini’s policy, which he declares is dependent upon violence and political perversion. He alleged sinister commercial activities bv higher officials.—Aus.-N.Z.’ Cable Assn.