MUSSOLINI’S MEMOIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27259, 9 December 1949, Page 7

MUSSOLINI’S MEMOIRS

“ Decline And Fall Of The . Fascist Empire ”

NZPA—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 8. Described as “an interesting scrap book of the decline and fall of the Fascist empire,” the memoirs of Benito Mussolini have just been published. They are a mixed collection of documents, including a number of anonymous articles bv Mussolini used by a Milan newspaper in the middle of 1944. Later, these articles were published as a book in which Mussolini spoke of himself in the third person. Now the narrative has been put into the first person by an English editor. An account is given of Mussolini’s meeting with the King of Italy after the Fascist Grand Council had voted the Duce out of power: “ When we had entered the drawing room, the King, in a state of abnormal agitation and with his features distorted, said, clipping his words: ‘My dear Duce, it is no longer any good. Italy has gone

to bits. Army morale is at rock bottom. The soldiers do not want to fight any more. The alpine regiments are singing a song which says they do not want to make war on Mussolini’s account any longer. You can certainly be under no illusion as to Italy’s feelings with regard to yourself.

“ ‘ At this moment you are the most hated man in Italy. You can no longer count on more than one friend. You have one friend left, you, and I am he. That is why I tell you that you need have no fears for your personal safety, for which I shall ensure protection. I have been thinking that the rrjan for the job now is Marshal Badoglio.’ “It was exactly 5.20 p.m. when the King accompanied me to the door. His face was livid and he looked smaller than ever, almost dwarfish. He shook my hand and went in again. I descended the few steps and went towards my car.”