THE FASCIST TYRANNY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 November 1925, Page 10

THE FASCIST TYRANNY

AN ITALIAN MERCHANT’S VIEW.

\ lead in" merchant in Italy recently sent a letter to an English correspondent. of which the following is a transmit is true that Mussolini has worked miracles ; he .forced the King to accept him. imposed liis will upon the Communists and Socialists, and he wants to impose it upon Italy, and, if possible, upon other countries. The mass or the Italians, however, have not changed their opinions. Human nature does not change, and there will, always be Socialists. There have been in Italy, one after another, weak Governments which gave way one day to the Socialists and next day to the Clerical party. Giolitti, grown old, allowed possession of numerous works to be taken by the workmen (he said he had done it purposely), and some men were killed. Things were beginning to improve, but strikes were still frequent.

Mussolini, with a few courageous friends and plenty of money, supplied by the industrialists who were tired of the continual strikes, succeeded in bringing together a large number of “Black Shirts,” at first they were most'y young men who preferred stirring up the workers to working themselves. With these he put an end to the strikes. If after that, Mussolini had returned to legality, if lie had kept away from him and from the Government objectionable people and had sought the support of good men, to whatever party they lielonged, ho would have been approved by everyone. But the murder of Matteotti was perpettrated, and it wa s then seen into wliat hands the country had fallen. The Fascists did not try to persuade people, but to dominate by violence, with cudgels and revolvers. Of course, men were killed among them as well. They say in their defence that violence and murder weer committed by Communists at the time when possession was taken of the works. But the case is not the same ; these were extremists in revolt against the Government; the Fascists were (and unfortunately still are to some extent) violent on the side of tho Government. Communists were taken out of their own homes to be beaten and even killed, and no prosecutions followed.

Bv placing himself above the law Mussolini may have done much good. Is that a reason for destroying Parliamentary institutions? The majority of the Deputies are chosen by him. If a member of Parliament is not prudent in opposing the Government he runs the risk of broken bones. Is this hearable? It is almost as if we were under martial law. A new law give s the Government the right to dismiss State employees—even magistrates—if they do not support the present Government. Municipal councils which do not include a majority of Fascists are dissolved. One of our leading mayors has been asked to resign because he would not have Mussolini made an honorary citizen. The mayor said he was waiting for a fitting opportunity! The rising sun has more worshippers than the setting sun; for many Mussolini is the rising sun. The industries are prosperous and everybody is working. Many wish to keep their posts; the result is that the supporters of the Government increase in number every day: but many are ready to change their opinions according to the direction of + he wind; even dead fish can swim with the current! Fortunately I have never meddled with noli tics; I keen my opinions to myself and so I run no risk. Even under the Austrian yoke the Italians lived in pence nrovided they left politics a’one. If I were to say in public what T have just written to you, there wou'd he a dano-er of someone more Mussclininn than Mussolini himself coming to break my head for me.