THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1926. FASCIST DISSENSIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1926. FASCIST DISSENSIONS.

The regrettable attempt which has been made on the life of Signor Mussolini cannot in any way be said to have any political significance. Party feeling runs strongly in Italy, but it would clearly be a mistake to suppose that the act of a highly-strung Englishwoman was influenced by the opponents of the dictator of the country’s affairs. Rumour has been busy for some time past at the expense of the Fascist Party, implying the existence of considerable dissension in its inner councils, but Signor Mussolini himself seems to remain unchallenged leader of the organisation. A special correspondent of tho Daily Herald avers that Signor Mussolini’s speech before the Fascist Grand Council last week, when the seventh anniversary of the establishment of the Fascist movement was celebrated, was not, as was given out, a review of foreign policy, but dealt with the internal position and especially with the “crisis” within the Fascist ranks. It was added that the withdrawal of Signor Farinacci from the secretaryship of the Fascist Grand Council had not repaired the rift in the party, and his successor had inherited a situation full of confusion and disorder. In announcing his retirement at the beginning of the present month Signor Farinacci was credited with stating that he felt that he had accomplished the mission for the furtherance of which ho assumed office. It is worth recalling that simultaneously with his withdrawal the resignation was reported of five other members of the Fascist Directorate, with the suggested object of leaving Signor Mussolini’s hands completely free. The reason supplied for the withdrawal of so prominent a figure as Signor Farinacci from the inner councils of the Fascists will not be accepted abroad as convincing. Prior to the denouement there had been speculation as to the probabilities of his downfall. Concerning Italian affairs Paris affects to be well informed, better informed, indeed, than Rome, and recently the Paris correspondent of tho Manchester Guardian discussed at length the state of affairs existing just prior to Signor Fariuacci’s resignation. Thanks to his violent, bull-headed nature and his overweening insolence, it was stated, he had come into collision with other Fascist chiefs, even wdth Signor Mussolini himself in a certain sense, but notably with Signor Federzoni, Minister of the Interior, who has a character pretty well as assertive as his own. Signor Mussolini had held the balance fairly evenly betwixt the two great rivals among his Ministers, but events were beginning to suggest that the violence of Signor Farinacci was proving too much for him.

One interesting illustration of the disagreement between th e rival Fascist Ministers has had relation to the Naples paper, the Mattino. For reasons that had apparently little direct connection . with the suppression of tile whole Opposition press in Italy the announcement was issued that the greatest journal in Southern Italy must cease publication, and Black Shirts shut down the whole plant. By the order of Signor Federzoni, the Prefect of Naples intervened to put an cud to this illegal violence. In his turn Signor Fanuacci took a hand in the game, and declared that the Mattino must be suppressed. The proprietors of the journal, hoping to save their valuable property, then announced its sale to a Fascist group of capitalists headed by Signor Barattolo, deputy for Naples. Again Signor Farinacci intervened, and pontifically announced Signor Barattolo’s expulsion from the Fascist Party for a grave act of indiscipline. Upon this Signor Barattolo went to Signor Mussolini himself, and offered to put into his hands al] the shares in the Mattino. The Dictator decided to take time to consider the matter* but, first of all despatched a command that -file Naples journal must be allowed to publish without molestation. It was Signor Farinacci who, after the Matteoti crime became known, proudly announced that Fascism took the whole responsibility, even adding that it intended to “dematteoti.se” all Italy, The ex-secretary of the Fascist Grand Council having completed his “mission,” whatever exactly that may have been, Signor Mussolini may have some difficulty in repairing the breach made in Fascist solidarity by the personal antagonisms and peculiar methods of some of those who, under his regime, have been dressed in authority. But it would have been surprising, after all, had the leaders of Fascism been able to pull together for very long as a happy family. Their dissensions suggest clearly enough what would be likely to happen in Italy wore the personal prestige and influence of Signor Mussolini withdrawn. The exNationalists, under Signor Federzoni, who retains his Ministerial position, have been seeking to give a more legal form to the dictatorship, and are regarded, we are told, with distrust and even open aversion by Fascists of Signor Farinacci’s following.