WAR SIDELIGHTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 24

WAR SIDELIGHTS

ITALY’S LEADING GENERALS USE OF NATIVE TROOPS THE EVOLUTION OF MUSSOLINI The Italian Generalissimo for the Abyssinian war is General de Bono. He “ marched ” by the side of Mussolini when the Fascist force entered Rome, though it is possible that the leader was master sufficiently long before his actual assumption of power to enable him to reach Rome in a train. General de Bono has been Governor of Tripoli, where he gained some experience in desert warfare in helping to suppress the Senussi. He is described as a little man with a grey pointed beard, of great vivacity and activity. He seems to be the kind of general who in unhealthy regions does not have the time to develop fever or become out of sorts. Beneath General de Bono is General Pircio Biroli, who commands the native Italian troops. It remains to be seen what power the native Italian troops represent. The Somali of the “ cruel heart and the curved knife ” has been enlisted in what is believed to be considerable numbers. Being a Moslem, he is supposed to enjoy the thought of fighting Abyssinian Christians. Only the future can tell how far that sentiment goes. Obviously keen native troops, hostile in spirit to the Abyssinian forces, would be of value because of their local knowledge and acclimatisation. However, one commentator has mentioned that the enlisted Somalis are not unmindful of the pay which is' being offered to them on what they regard as generous terms. General Balbo, who was Governor of Tripoli until last year, may be in command of the Italian Air Force operating against Abyssinia. He performed an efficient job of work in finally subduing the Senussi. It will be remembered that he commanded the flight of seaplanes from Italy to Chicago, a feat which made him Public Hero No. 2. As dictators dp not relish the presence of other public heroes, Mussolini sent General Balbo out of the limelight to Tripoli. Mussolini’s two sons, Bruno and Vittorio, are youthful pilots serving with the Italian Air Force, which has had the simple task of bombing Adowa and oilier small towns without resistance. They were bade farewell from Italy as princes, and their ship drew hundreds of cheering Italian residents of Egypt when it started its passage through the Suez canal. A division of Black Shirt troops, which left Naples for Abyssinia towards i the end of August, received 10 commandments, the most salient points of which were:— The Duce never makes a mistake; obey him because all orders come from him. Fight because you are sure of victory. No enemy can take advantage of t’ Black Shirts, because they cun live without any luxuries. If a Black Shirt neghots his arms, uniform or mule he is unworthy, of the name. Those who follow the march make a • ft of life which entails sacrifice and renouncements until the time of battle. Bravery in battle is much, but not all; bravery during the times of waiting is also needful. The last of the commandments c acludes: “ When the gunfire starts the Black Shirts will see the powerful figure of the Duce thrown gainst the sky like a gigantic realisation of a warrior’s dream. And so the Black Shirts, terrible and beautiful, will smash all resistance, bombs in their hands, daggers between their teeth, and a royal contempt for danger in their hearts.’ Massawa, the sand-dusted port of Eritrea, is, like Aden, me of the hellholes of the earth. The shade heat is often as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. For months munitions and stores have been pouring into the docks, which have been largely extended. Much of the dock labour has been supplied by Somalis, the gangs being in charge of stevedores formerly of Genoa and Naples. Canvas hospitals have received many of the arriving troops. Water

supplies have been a difficult problem. Condensing plants have hardly kept pace with the demand and Italians in Arab dhows have been as far north as Port Sudan, 300 miles away, seeking to buy water. But there water 5 precious. Port Sudan itself relies upon a condensing plant. In a short life of Benito Mussolini written as an introduction tj the study of Fascism the Rev. Spencer Jones says; “ Had we to produce Mussolini on ,tb • film we should explain at the. outset that, having sprung originally from the class of small peasants, he had received a rather better education than his neighbours; and then the films might follow one’ another in a succession somewhat like this:— “ Part I. —As an elementary school teacher, as a candidate in the municipal elections; as a fugitive from his native country into Switzerland; at Lausanne working as a navvy by day and at night attending a course of university lectures to obtain his diploma as a teacher of French; at Trento, sitting at. his desk as the editor of the Awenire, and as a contributor to ll Popolo; signing on as a member of the Socialist Party; the dramatic scene of his arrest when Austria expels him as a dangerous revolutionary; at the Socialist Congress at Reggio Emilia in 1912 he is taking a leading part in the agitation; as one of «,he vast assembly of his fellow Socialists being singled out for the distinguished position of editor of the Avanti;. and as the leading agitator haranguing the mob during the Socialist troubles in Romagna. “ Part II. —He is seen in the attitude of one staggered by the news of*the Great War in 1914. ‘ Surely Socialism is against war; surely and yet . . .’; confronted by his Socialist companions he confronts them in his turn; on the occasion of his excommunication from the ranks of the Socialist Party; his parting words and challenge to his Socialist comrades: ‘All are cowards who hold back at this juncture’; Mussolini in the trenches; with the Fascista band. After 48 hours’ notice to the Government they set out on their mission of cleaning up all criminal communes in the country; administering, doses of castor oil to the delinquents; Mussolini and the march on Rome: ‘ Either the Government will be given to us or we shall seize it by marching on Rome ’; face to face with the King; ‘I bring to your Majesty the Italy of Vittorio Veneto, reconsecrated by the new victory’; addressing the men after the march: ‘We have found our fatherland again’; Mussolini’s first circular to the Prefects: ‘I demand that all officials from the highest to the lowest shall I do their duty intelligently and with absolute devotion to the supreme interests of the country. I shall set the example.’ ” A start may be made with a Part 111 of the series, but who knows what its end should be?