MURDERED ITALIAN DEPUTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 7

MURDERED ITALIAN DEPUTY

SERIOUS POSITION IN CHAMBER. SIGNOR MUSSOLINI ACTS PROMPTLY. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright ROME, June 15. It is believed that the kidnappers of Signor Matteotti did not mean to murder him, but that in the struggle he was struck a heavy blow which fractured his skull. The kidnapping caused a most serious position in the Italian Chamber. Tire whole of the members of the Opposition absented themselves as a protest. Signor Mussolini and other Fascists have expressed execration and horror at the murder, and have promised that the perpetrators shall be brought to speedy justice. They expressed the hope that the Opposition would not utilise the incident for party purposes.' In consequence of the absence of the Opposition the Chamber voted the Estimates to the end of the year and adjourned sine die. Signor Mussolini stayed at his office all night long, personally superintending the police search. Three arrests have been made.—Sydney Sun Cable. A message which appeared yesterday morning stated that the body of a member of the Chamber of Deputies named Matteotti, a Socialist, who had been missing for several days, and who was believed to have been kidnapped by Fascist!, had been found in a wood with the skull fractured. E AR-REACHING EFFECTS. FASCISM ON ITS TRIAL. ROME, dime 16. (Received Juno 16, at 9.40 p.m.) There is much excitement at the fate of Deputy Matteotti. Public opinion considers that Fascism is on its trial. Signor Mussolini says he is determined to bring the instigators of tiro outrage to justice. Several Fascists have been arrested, including the editor of a Rome newspaper, who wa« caught while attempting to escape on a north-bound express. Two of the minor members' of the Mussolini Ministry have resigned as their names have, been mentioned in connection with the outrage and they wish to defend them-selves.-—A. and N.Z. Cable.