TERRORISM IN ITALY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18679, 8 April 1924, Page 7

TERRORISM IN ITALY.

ARMED FASCISTI BANDS. BLOODSHED AT ELECTION. ATTACKS ON PEASANTS. PREVENTED PROM VOTING. CRIMINAL FRAUD ALLEGED. By Telegraph— Press Association.— (.Received 8.35 p.m. 1 A. nnd li'.Z. , ROME. April 6. The election placards, with, which the streets of Rome are plastered, are practically all of the Fascist origiif, as the other parties fear, or at any rate are not attempting:, to poll their full strength. The Fascists say their chief fear is a small poll, as this would deprive them of proof of the country's trust. The Messaggero announces that abstention from voting will l>a regarded as an set of treason. The Mondo states that certain districts in Southern Italy are being terrorised by armed bands under the auspices of the FascistL They are forcing the peasants to surrender their electoral certificates, without which their votes cannot V. recorded. The object is to use these certificates themselves during the polling. Signor Amendola, Leader of the Opposition. has telegraphed to the Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, protesting that the election is a criminal fraud. , It is announced that six Fascists have been killed in electoral quarrels. Disturbances also occurred at Ban, Rovigo and Naples t but none of these •were serious. The. latest reports indicate sweeping Fascisti victories at the poll. This was almost a foregone conclusion, owing to the new electoral law assigning at least twothirds of the total seats to the party obtaining the largest number of votes.