ITALIAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 20

ITALIAN AFFAIRS.

FASCIST! AND COMMUNISTS CLASH

ROME, July 8. Fierce fighting is reported at Florence between the Fascisti and the Commumsts. Two hundred arrests were made. The Fascisti continue to patrol the streets, and the Communists are resuming an aggressive attitude.

FALSE PASSPORTS TO EMIGRANTS LONDON, July 8.

The Daily Chronicle’s Naples correspondent says: “The police have arrested the leaders of a gang which was supplying false passports to Italians emigrating to America, and which purported to enable the emigrants to evade the authorities at Ellis Island. The emigrants were charged enormous prices. They were not allowed to land in America, hut were sent back to Naples. The crews of emigrant ships also took money from stowaways, of whom 160 from one vessel were refused a landing at New York. While the stowaways were hiding the crews stole all their money. The crew left the vessel at New York, so that the stowaways had no remedy.” ELECTORAL REFORM BILL. ROME, July 11. The debate on the Electoral Reform Bill lias opened. A sensation was caused by the resignation of Signor Sturzo, the Leader of the Catholic Party, who was strongly opposed to the measure. Signor Sturzo, at a meeting of the National Council of the party, explained that his being an ecclesiastic had given rise to bitter attacks on the Church, and even against the Holy See. On the other hand, Signor Sturzo’s political activity had latterly received unmistakable signs of disapproval from t.ne Vatican, and this was probably the true reason for his retirement. The Minister of Finance (Signor de Stefani) has submitted a proposal to the Cabinet for the abolition of death duties on family inheritance. It provides that in future no duties shall be paid by the husband, wife, or parents of the deceased, and that other duties shall be considerablv reduced. Signor Mussolini complimented the Minister, and declared that the encouragement of family fortunes was the soundest national policy.

PRESS CENSORSHIP ESTABLISHED LONDON, July 12.

The Daily Telegraph publishes a message from its Rome correspondent which has neither beginning nor end, and has apparently been censored. The portion which was passed deals with the public burning of newspapers as a protest against the anti-F'ase-isti campaign, and proceeds : “Signor Mussolini’s paper, 'Popolo d'ltalia,’ scathingly denounces Senator Albertini, chief proprietor of the Corriere della Sera, and threatens that if the antiFaseisti campaign continues the paper will bo raided and the machines destroyed. Since October the ’Corriere’ has criticised what it describes as the excesses and defects of the Fascisti Government.” A later message announces that the Government has issued a decree establishing a mild censorship over the foreign press and new provisions dealing with the Italian press. Senators and deputies are debarred from taking part in the management of any periodical or publication. The prefects are given the right to adpionisti editors, especially if they are guilty of publishing false and exaggerated reports tending to disturb the peace or to interfere with the Gcvernment’s diplomatic action. Articles irx iiug class hatred and disobedience to law «r insults to the King, the Pope, religion, constituted authorities, or friendly states are forbidden. DRUGGED AND ROBBED. ROME, July 8. A sensational robbery is reported. The Prince and Princess Bandini were drugged in their sleep and robbed of 2,000,000 lire worth of jewellery, including a set of rubies and diamonds which originally belonged to the mother of Napoleon 111. The robbers also took 15,000 lire in cash. Prince Bandini is confined to bed with a fractured arm and other injuries. The Princess is confined to her room suffering from shock. The Princess’s chauffeur, who has disappeared, is suspected, and his brother has been arrested as a precaution. The thieves secured the chloroform which they used from the Prince’s own medicine chest. In their hurry to escape they overlooked jewels valued at 100,000 lire. Prince Bandini’s chauffeur and valet have both disappeared. The other servants were unaware that anything was wrong till the Prince recovered from his stupor, which lasted three hours. EMIGRATION TO AMERICA. ROME, July 11. The Department of Emigration has received 450,000 applications from Italians who desire to emigrate to the United States. The annual quota of Italians admissible to the United States is 45,000.