THE ITALIAN DICTATOR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2062, 3 January 1925, Page 4

THE ITALIAN DICTATOR.

During the past year or two .Mussolini lias played a spectacular pari in Italian politics. Hi's entry into prominence was dramatic. As the lender oi‘ the Faseisti party lie undoubtedly saved the country from chao- when it wan threatened with the machinetimas "1 the Communistic factions on the one hand, and the ineptitude of the Hove rumen 1 then in power, liis mot It -

mis ol beating refractory elements and the dispensing of castor oil were unique, but scarcely constitutional. Ho achieved his object in restoring order, Bat beyond that it cannot bo said that as Premier ho has proved himself a statesman. ft; is a matter of wonder that ho has remained in power so long. He has tried to play the dual parts of a dictator and a democrat, and is now likely to fall between the principles of the two. A

more ugly feature is that, he and his followers have beeu charged with complicity in the murder of Matteotti, a Socialist leader, besides many assaults ou other opponents of Fascism. He has been maintaining at the expense of the country a body of militia whoso duty it is to crosh any attempt to depose him and restore . constitutional Government. He has stated ho will not recognise any political defeat of his party at tho polling booth, and also instructed his followers- to watch the booths tit the (last elections, practically meaning that he intended his party to control the results.

While it cannot be said' at this stage that Mussolini was directly responsible for the nmrder of Matteotti, there seems to be little doubt that the Fascist) factions had something to do with it. There has been a distinct revulsion of feeling towards the present regime in Italy, and the charges made against the Fascisti by Rowsi, formerly Chief of the Press Bureau, who is now in prison, will help to precipitate matters.

If Mussolini adheres to his -resolutiSl not to be deposed by the vote of tho people, there will be'serious complications in Italy;;' The! I'people are hotheaded Mussolini's rise wds. ffiSteoric idHtpectacular. His as sudden and dra-