HUGE FORTUNES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 9

HUGE FORTUNES

EUROPE’S DICTATORS

MUSSOLINI AND HITLER SECRET MILLIONAIRES Inquiries by international observers regarding the salaries paid to Hitler, Mussolini and other dictators have revealed that although their official pay may be small, they arc “salting” away huge private fortunes (says the "Daily Herald”).

Mussolini’s official salary as Premier is £IOSO. He draws no pay from bis four other Ministerial posts, but he has many financial irons in the fire, for he is the sole proprietor of the newspaper “Popolo d’ltalia,” with a vast sale and steep advertising rates, owns large farms and gets paid the highest sums in Italian journalism for any articles he writes.

His speeches are printed in book form, and it is not considered wise in Italy to refrain from buying the Duce’s latest works.

Hitler’s salary is £4OBO a year, but he does not draw the money, being content to live on his personal fortune. This is nearly as large as Mussolini’s for Hitler is a partner in the Nazi party’s publishing business. From this he derives an income which has never been disclosed, but which must run into formidable figures, in view of the stranglehold on competition. His book, “My Struggle.” sells by the million, and his royalties will never fall off, for every newly married couple, for example, must have a copy. Salaries paid to other dictators are: Stalin, £600; Dr. Schuschnigg, £1140; and Marshal Smigly-Rydz, £2280.