ITALY UNDER FASCISTI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19136, 30 September 1925, Page 11

ITALY UNDER FASCISTI.

WRITER'S REVELATIONS.

MUSSOLINI A SICK MAN.

ANALYSIS OF SITUATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. LONDON, Sept. 28. Mr. Hugh Redwood is contributing a scries of articles to tho Daily News after having visited Italy to investigate Fascism. The writer reveals what he terms the dangerous dreamings of the Prim<- Minister, Signor Mussolini, who, he says, is both mentally and physically sick, and suffering from a malady similar to that which Lenin suffered from. v " Recently he has had several bad epileptic seizures," says tho writer. "He made proposals for &n alliance with Russia and endeavoured unsuccessfully to gain Germany's adherence to the plan, with a view to constituting a new triple alliance directed mainly against France, but also against Britain. " Although Italy will be represented at the security pact conference Signor Mussolini made strenuous efforts to dissuade Germany from entering on a pact. These statements will bo denied, but they are made on unquestionable authority. " Nevertheless Signor MusscJini's power is shortly to be threatened by the crisis which will arise over the sentences passed on the persons accused of the murder of the 'Socialist deputy, Signor Matteotti. These ara expected to be merely a few months' imprisonment for Dumini, the actual murderer, and the release of* tho remainder owing to a Royal amnesty on the plea that only kidnapping was intended.

" Fascism at present enjoys the support of the aristocrats, the landed proprietors, the industrial leaders and an increasing army of job holders, but the mass of the people, including the Army and Navy (except the officers) and also the Vatican oppose it.

"It is probable the Opposition will abandon the boycott of the Chamber of Deputies at the forthcoming session and will force an election in the spring, leading desperate men to seek desperate remedies. The Fascisti are already boasting . that they have 300,000 bayonets ready to defend Fascism. This is interpreted to mean thift if Fascism is endangered Signor Mussolini will not scniple to make war with the object of the aggrandisement of Italy and to ensure the maintenance of his own power.".