THE SOUTH TYROL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 June 1928, Page 11

THE SOUTH TYROL

JpOR four years, it appears, the Italians treated the 'South Tyrolese moderately troll, and the latter responded. There was no revolution, obstruction, or opposition, and they had little -complaint against their’ new masters. Then came the change; it is recorded in Signor Mussolini’s own words:— ‘ ‘'South Tyrol . . was entirelyGerman . . . everywhere nothing but German and German speech. 1 have set this right. On the Austrianfrontier 1 have introduced a zone of 30 kilometres within which only persons with a special permit -may live. The Italian language is now obligatory throughout the country. . . The land must become Italian.’’

Practically, this has meant and means to-day (writes -the Vienna correspondent >of the “(Sunday Times’’) a series of oppressive measures, the mere titles of which will fill a column of a paper. All German newspapers have been stopped; not only are there no State schools teaching in the native language, but, even private schools are forbidden to teaeh children in that language. The singing of German songs is forbidden, and hundreds .of persons have been arrested -and deported for offences against these regulations. Every one of the liberties of minorities is denied to the South Tyrolese. .-Compulsory I'talianisation has been carried even as far as the family names 'of Tyrolese citizens and the -tombstones in the cemeteries. 'South Tyrol is to-day the most tragic corner 'of Europe. Those of the population left free to-day in North Tyrol do not ask that anyone should break a lance for them —they have long ceased to hope for that. But they are determined not to allow 'themselves to he muzzled bv another country from troubling from time to time in their own Parliament the conscience of those who dislike to be reminded of a grave injustice. ACTS, NOT WORDS. Bearing these statements in mind, one may read with the greater interest

MUSSOLINI’S WAY

STRANGLING THE CRITIC

Mussolini’s .strange speech in reply to certain complaints which had been made in tbc Austrian Parliament regarding the treatment meted out to Austrian nationals in the provinces lost by Austria in the war. Meeting the Austrian contention that -the rights of these nationals to retain t'heir own language and to enjoy reasonable treatment in general is guaranteed by 'tbc peace treaties, the Italian Dictator replies brusquely that the Fascist Government is not bound by the action of its non-Fascist predecessors. Signor Mussolini began his speech by declaring that there was no Hannibal at the -gates, nor even M. Seipel (the Austrian Chancellor). He had at first hesitated whether to reply at all to the speeches in the Austrian Parliament, but bad been compelled to do so by the Austrian Chancellor, in many re. speets an eminent man. However, he hastened to add, “This is the last occasion upon which 1 shall speak on this subject. The next time acts will take the place of words. ’ ’ ‘ 'Signor Mussolini then went on to the main theme of his speech, which was designed to prove that the Austrian complaints were not only not justified, but were also provocative. Tf 'he now cited examples of generosity towards Austria he did so in order that the world at large might once for all know the true facts. NOT INTERNATIONAL QUESTION. Signor Mussolini proceeded to quote instances where Italy had dealt generously with the Austrians He then denied the existence of any international aspects of the Upper Adige question, which was not. referred to in the Peace Treaty or diplomatic -instruments. The Austrians claimed that certain promises and assurances had been given by pre-Fascist Governments. That might -be. “But it is possible that those who made these statements have repented later in view of the arrogant interperfation of certain promises.’’ In any case, the Fascist -Government would not necessarily feel bound to observe all these vague and verbal as-

i suraweos given by men representing 1 systems and {governments Which the - Fascist Revolution had superseded. ) He rejected in strong- terms the charges of Fascist tryanny, and declar- • ed that Italy was not the pupil of an r Austrian “which for a century had fill- , ed the territories of half Europe with ■ 1 executioners, filled the prisons with ' t martyrs, and set up gallows without [any interruption.” The absurdity _of ■ : such charges was proved by the exist- : ! once of fifteen newspapers printed in j German, but Signor Mussolini gave dei finite warning that they would -be sup* - ' pressed unless the campaign of call tunny ceased. Further, there were still : 1040 non-Italian speaking officials in l / the Province of Bolzano (the Upper ■ . Adige). As this was not appreciated, > these men would be made to choose • j between either a transfer to another (I part of Italy or else dismissal from ■ the service. APPEAL TO GENEVA > .Signor Mussolini argued that much > of the agitation was purely artificial 5 and that the' general population was > happy to live under Italy and the Fas- • cist regime. The Government had spent i vast sums of money in various enterprises undertaken for the purposes of ■ improving the moral and material welfare of the people. The shrieks from the Germans must be regarded as a . I proof that they realised that the game had been lost. An appeal to Geneva was out of • the question, since if once the problem 1 of minorities were raised the League of , Nations Would never come to the end of it, and the plaintiff of to-day would ■ become the defendant of to-morrow. It ■ was time to declare that insolent speeches, odious insinuations, and vulgar insults had only one result —namely, to make the Fascists put on the screw still more firmly and to drive a wedge between neighbouring peoples. j Italy wished to remain on good terms I with the German people on condition that her security was in no way threatened.