Gestapo Rule In Rome

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1941, Page 2

Gestapo Rule In Rome

. "For years we have heard the regime proclaim miracles of Fascism,” writes an ex-correspondent—now in exile—of Signor. Gayda’s newspaper. “Only the miracle of Fascism is to have J brought Germans back into Italy.” (C. M. Franzero, “Inside Italy,” London, 1941). An American lifts the veil:

A rigid ban on the despatch of news from Italy has so far enabled the Duce to conceal the stages by which he has let the' Nazis seize his controls. A neutral journalist must get well away from the Axis frontiers before he can say what he knows. Thus, no really detailed accounts of shift of power in Italy was published until the end of March, when the Rome correspondent of the “Christian Science Monitor” wont home to Boston and told the story. Here are some extracts from his narrative: . . When I left Italy late in February the revolution was already over and had been won by the Germans. . , . They staged an ‘occupation’ by introducing political advisers, Government specialists and economic co-ordinators. . . .

All through Italy’s military collapse the Gestapo went coolly on, placing men in one guise or another in Italian Ministries.

Purge of Officials

“With the Germans assuming control wholesale, a purge took place among Fascist officials. The zealous patriot type—the man who was potentially if not actually anti-German — found that he had resigned and was enlisted for immediate active duty at the front. Men who were not of the unthinking youthful militant type were supplanted by men who were. . . . Power came to the Germans by default. Under the shock of defeat in Libya the wheels of Government came almost to a standstill. The Duce shut himself away. Merely by staying at their posts the Germans had moved in. . . . The Italians for the most part were too busy with the war to see what was taking place, and those who did see said they were powerless to do anything. . . . Basically, Mussolini is a practical man. Even before I left Rome he was becoming more fanatically pro-German than -ever before. He was hoping to salvage his position in this way.” Unassailable confirmation —the same news from Italian sources:

Read in the light of the eye-witness account, many Rome radio announcements, the full meaning of which could only be guessed at the time when they were made, now stand out in their true significance. For instance, here is the Rome version of the entry of the Gestapo in disguise: “The Minister for Africa (Signor Terruzi) yesterday received fifty members' of the German police who are attending a course of police work in Italian Africa.” (Rome fadio, November 28, 1940).

Dead Men’s Shoes

Incongruously enough, the Gestapo’s purge of patriotic Fascists was also splashed by Rome radio. The reason for publicity was that such announcements happened to serve the purpose q}f the Fascist Party. Blackshirts had been popularly criticised for staying at home, holding soft party jobs. Here •was\a chance to advertise their readiness ’to give up everything for the national cause: “An anniversary address io Blackshirts was given by Under-Secretary for Education Signor Riccardi 'del Guidice. He first stated that Signor Bottai would have addressed thefci, but he had gone to the front.” (Rome radio, February 1, 1941). “Minister of Corporations Renatoricci, Lieutenant-Colonel ot Bersaglieri and of State Tullio Cainetti, Captain of Mountain Artillery, have to>day taken up service with front-line liffiits.” (Rome radio, January 21, 1941).\

Suppressing! the Truth

There were no 1 violent protests at this ruthless elimination of patriots. The few who dared lo speak were at once suppressed. Marshal Badoglio (who is not a party member and who stands in the eyes oi!i the ordinary Italian for a pre-Fasc'ist soldier of proven integrity) tried! to shout his warning to the nation: “lit may be permissible to count on this aid of an eventual Ally, but it is wise to count as well on every [possible assistance for him. An errbr of this sort may bring about consequences of historical magnitude.” But the issue of “La Tribune” which ■ harried this Indictment was abruptly Withdrawn before more than a handful- of copies had been sold. \ A Warning to Defeatisjts Meanwhile the rank and fi|e were instructed to stop grumbling!. Their role, said the authorities, was [to turn the handle of the war machine and to keep mum. “We demand from every Italian work and silence —much work and little talk. The good Fascist is he who is able to work harder and say less. Hence every critic will be very severely punished. Our| leniency is exhausted.” (Federal Secretary of the Fascist Partv at Trieste, March L. 1941). [

“Axis Collaboration” Doubts at the altruism of the .Nazis which crept into a few discerning minds were dispelled with bipvo: “There still exist scrupulous people who fear that perhaps Germany (does not sufficiently take into consideration Italy’s past and present effort. If (they are sincere, let them cease to worry. Our Ally is aware of and fully 1 appreciates Italy’s war effort as a wljiole and in no way tries to minimis® it merely because during a particularly difficult period of war Italian arms have suffered a few setbacks.” (Rcvme radio, February 26, 1941). I Germany can well afford to let [the Italians preen themselves upon being equal partnei’s in an invincible combination. She has prevented an internal collapse in Italy; she has majde sure that the Italian worker will continue to make arms for her and tlpat the Italian soldier will continue [to give up his life on her behalf. Oihly at home does she speak her real miihd: “Germany’s war potential has enprmously increased since Italy’s entry into war. The Fuehrer is in s ole command.” (Dr. Funk. March 5, 1941).

'■■■ The Only Way Out ' i Is there for the Italian any escf&pe from the grip of this hated intruder? The last word of this subject lies wi/th the latest eye-witness—again the correspondent of the “Christian Scienjce Monitor” (March 31). “. . . Italy’s chief centre of power today is not, as tlhe outside world imagines, in the hanss of troops, but of Himmler’s secrjet police. In the event of any rebellion, the Gestapo would strike first.” Roiwie, though seething with resentment, is powerless in the Nazi stranglehold, and until German land power receives a reverse on the Continent it is faffed so. . i. Italians for their deliverance miist look in the same direction as otlner occupied territories. ■’ \