MUSSOLINI—THE FORBIDDEN NAME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 September 1943, Page 6

MUSSOLINI—THE FORBIDDEN NAME

(To the Editor] Sir, —Now that Mussolini has reappeared upon the scene, one wonders whether his name is “allowed” to be mentioned. Last time I was in Italy, from either some ridiculous bit of propaganda, or because it was considered too sacred a sound for ordinary conversation, one never heard it uttered. All Italians knew this peculiarity, and refrained from reference to him in public. But should foreigners enter a restaurant, and start discussing the man and his policy, two Fascisti, very smart and very polite, but also with fixed eyes and bayonets, instantly made their appearance, and demanded the speakers’ names and addresses —a sort of preliminary warning! In -the English colony this grandiose personage was alwara referred to (with an accompanying wink) as “Mr Smith” or “Mr Brown.” When he first came into power, many of the changes wrought by Mussolini were really beneficial. The putting down of beggars was not the least noticeable. These pitiable creatures, whose clothes, owing to extreme poverty, were often foul, would run alongside one in the street, or seated on church steps, would try to catch at one’s skirt to draw attention to some horrible sore or deformity they exposed, while uttering the well-known cry, “Signoria, soldi, soldi.” Very few of these are now seen. And I was glad to learn that the State made them some small provision in compensation. The churches, too, have benefited in cleanliness. Most of the floors are of inlaid marble, but were often soiled past belief. Now large notices are hung against the pillars bearing the words, "Out of respect for the House of God, and in the interests of Hygiene, you are requested not to spit on the floor.” Under each such notice a spittoon is provided. In travelling particularly, one noticed the difference almost at once. In the old days, on asking whether a train would arrive punctually, one was told in an almost affronted tone, “Hey nou!” And on asking meekly how late it was likely to be, always received the same answer, “Four hours.” Mussolini soon put a stop to that; and until the outbreak of war the magnificent International expresses came thundering and roaring across Europe, and arrived at their destination on the tick. If only “Mr Brown” could have been content with these, and many another useful reforms which he instituted, his name would have gone down as a real benefactor to his country. But the lust of power grew, until fanned by flattering tongues, it became an obsession. Convinced with the sense of his omnipotence, he rapidly did his best to imbue the youth of the nation with his own doctrines. The saddest sight I saw in Rome—saddest, because the most insidious —was a march of infantile Fascisti. The road , was cleared by police whistle; and, their black tassels swinging, they strutted along—the lords of creation, even at the age of seven. Everything they were taught, everything they heard, had but one refrain. The Fascisti were the great ones of the earth. Mussolini was their god. Nobody else mattered I am, etc., A. L. CHERRILL. Nelson, 26th September.