THE H.B. TRIBUNE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1932 FASCISM’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 269, 28 October 1932, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1932 FASCISM’S ACHIEVEMENTS

It was only two or three days back that some comment was made here upon cabled extracts from a speech delivered by Signor Mussolini at Turin. These dealt mainly with world affairs. To-day we have further cabled reference to him with respect to an article, contributed by him to a London daily, on the effects of ten years of Fascism in his own country. Whatever may be said of the Duce’s foreign policy, there can be no question as to the great good he has worked at home. In that connection the results of his virtual dictatorship stand as a very distinct reproach to the democratic forms of government that hold in other countries. In practically none of them can there be shown anything like the political, social and industrial reformation that has been brought about in Italy. It is, of course, quite possible to say that perhaps in none of them was such a reformation more urgently needed, for when Mussolini and his “black shirts” first made their appearance Italy was on the verge of complete anarchy. The Communists had got a very strong footing among the working population. Against them the Government of the day was making but a very poor stand and there was every prospect of something in the nature of a revolution of the blood-letting kind that alone satisfies these zealots. Mussolini’s first task was to suppress these manifestations and this he accomplished with a strong hand in quite short order considering the hold they had

secured. It is true, of course, that in achieving his purpose Mussolini had himself to resort to force, and even to the sacrifice of some few lives. But it can confidently be said that by this recourse he saved his country from inestimable losses in the destruction of both life and property. At the time countries used to what we term constitutional government looked askance on the high-handed course he was pursuing and predicted a very short reign, if not also a very short life, for him. However, he held on his way unabashed by -adverse criticism and -unappalled by mortal dangers. In the result within two short years this son of a revolutionary and atheistic blacksmith was being almost universally hailed as the saviour of his country. Since then the story has been one of thorough-going internal reorganisation and reconstruction, accompanied by a constantly increasing influence in the councils of the Great Powers. And all this has been the achievement of one man of set purpose and strong will who recognised the urgent needs of his fellow countrymen, laid somewhat violent hands upon opportunity, and then wrought a seeming miracle among 40 million of people. It may well be doubted, however, if any such marked success would have attended his efforts had not the great majority of the people soon come to recognise that they were based upon sound principles. An English writer of some four or five years ago said that perhaps the best definition of Fascism was “insistence upon the duty of co-operation.” That notion Mussolini has managed to instil into the great mass of Italy’s population, capitalists and workers alike. The outcome is seen in a transformation from illdirected and shiftless methods, rapidly drifting towards anarchy and chaos, to well organised and systematic industry in which at least fairly general contentment reigns, even in these distressful days. Mussolini, therefore, has good warrant for saying, as he did at Turin, that “victory lies with Fascism” and, as now in the London “Daily Telegraph,” that "Fascism has permeated (the life of the Italian people and created an epoch in Italian history whose Influence will be felt by succeeding generations.” The successes that have attended the Mussolini regime have depended so much on the personality of an exceptionally gifted man that they cannot be accepted as a recommendation for the submission to or adoption of dictatorship elsewhere. But they certainly prompt comparison of what can be accomplished by a sound and stable rule, inspired by patriotism and (strong ideals, with the difficulties that stand in the way of democratic government constantly preoccupied by the need of propitiating vested and class interests and in defending itself against hostile party criticism.