FASCIST CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 1210, 7 January 1925, Page 5

FASCIST CONTROL

CRUSHING OPPOSITION. ITALIAN LEADER STRIKES. [By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] Received January 7, 11.2(5 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 5. The Dnily Express's Rome correspondent states that the Fascists- set file to tho Milan commemorative club and also destroyed the premises of the anti-Fascist newspapers at Naples. Fascist demonstrations are being held all over the country and armed Fascists, parading the streets, completely control the situation. The telegraph wires are choked by messages to and from Signor Mussolini.—A. and N.Z. cable.

ATTACKS ON GOVERNMENT CEASE. ROME, Jan. 5. Signor Mussolini's declaration in the Chamber on Saturday that he would break the back of the Aventine Liberal Opposition within forty-eight hours was followed by striking results. The whole Opposition press has lost its vehemence, has ceased to attack the Government and merely publishes bald news. All anti-Government organisations have been raided and dissolved, including the Italia Libera. The Aventinist ex-Minister, Signor Amenola, it is reported, invited the ex-Premiers, Signors Giolitti and Orlando, to join the revolt, but these refused. It is also reported that the whole Ministry, apart from those previously cabled, placed their portfolios at Signor Mussolini's disposal, in order to facilitate the reconstruction of the Cabinet. s The Ministers of Justice, Instruction and Public Works have resigned and the King has appointed fubstitutes. It is also reported that Sigaor Salandra has resigned the leadership of the Italian delegation to the League of Nations.—A. and N.Z. cable.

FASCISM DENOUNCED. LLOYD GEORGE'S STATEMENT. "FREEDOM COMPLETELY SUPPRESSED." LONDON, Jan. 5. Mr Lloyd George, in a speech at the National Liberal Club, alluded to Italy, where, he said, the people hai accepted Fascism oa the counsel of despair, but freedom had been completely suppressed and arson, intimidation and murder were now the instruments of government. Liberalism was the country's only hope. The great Liberal leaders, Giolitti, Orlando, Salandra and Nitti were moving towards a new struggle for Italian freedom. Mr Lloyd George added: "A great friend of mine, a Liberal statesman in Italy, dared to express his opinion in a newspaper. His villa was burned down and he was practically driven out of his nntivo land. You saw what happened to one other Italian statesman. He was murdered. I received a letter from a distinguished Italian the other day saying that tho full story has not yet been told. There has been nothing worse in Italy since the atrocious days of King Bombo." The newspapers give prominence to Mr Lloyd George's speech which several describe as sensational. The Morning Post, in commenting editorially on the speech, says: "Those who are conversant with high affairs do not need to be told that there are many things which it is inexpedient to say about friendly nations, however much ono may think them, but Mr Lloyd George dis-

penses himself from all decent reticence. His attack on M. Poincare was unpardonable and equally offensive ia his abuse of Signor Mussolini. He has been Prime Minister and ho owes it to the dignity of the otlice to have some regard for ( the decencies of international intercourse. ' _ The Dailv Herald sayj it is rumoured :.n Paris that "street fighting has occurred u Naples, Florence and other places in between the Fascist! and Oppositionists A number have been killed and wounded.— A. and N.Z. cable.

"Bomba" was the nickname given to Ferdinand 11, King of Naples and Sicily. The son of Francis I. he v.ns bom in 1810 and succeeded his father in io3o. H:s first wife a daughter of Victor Emmanuel I, dying in 1836, ho married Maiia Theresa, daughter of the Archduke Charles of Austria, and gave himself ip to Austrian counsels. Henceforward Naples beanne the scene of incessant conspiracy, insurrections and political prosecutions. !Ferdmnnd yielded to the storm of 1848, md granted a constitution, but the Sicilians lose in revolt, declaring that ho had forfeited the Sicilian Orowft. Ferdinand subdued the uprising by the bombardment of the chief cities of Sicily, an action- that earned him the epithet of "Bomba." He now set aside the constitution, and maintained a reign of terror until his death, making no less than 40,000 arrests. He died in 1059, a-fld was succeeded by his son. Francis 11, the weak and coward'lv "Bornbino," who fell before Garibaldi ana Italian unity.