AFFAIRS IN ITALY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 25

AFFAIRS IN ITALY.

INCREASE OF POPULATION. ROME, June 15. The census reveals that the population of Italy is 42,118,000, which is a remarkable increase on recent years. MYSTERY OF THE SEA. ROME, June 17. As the outcome of persistent complaints of fishermen losing their nets near Porto Recanati, a diver discovered an intact submarine with the remains of its long dead crew inside. The submarine was in 90 feet of water. There was no outward sign of damage. Inquiries in Germany and Austria reveal that no submarine was lost at that spot, and Italy is not aware of any. Divers have been engaged with the hope of solving the gruesome mystery. FASCISM AND VATICAN. ROME, June 16. The latest Papal note is regarded as conciliatory. Several Catholic young men’s clubs have been reopened here and at Turin, confirming the impression that the situation is easier. STATE AND CHURCH. PARIS, June 18. Le Journal’s special Rome correspondent interviewed Signor Mussolini. Asked what exact point of friction there was between the Church and the State. Signor Mussolini replied: “At the head of the Catholic Actionists are failures and disgruntled members of the old popular party, who have a grudge against us. The Vatican has been put on its guard against the perils of theii ’ extreme policy, which may awaken anticlericalism, the dormant existence of which is well known.” STATE AND CHURCH. . • ROME, June 21. “ It is not only in Russia and Mexico that the Church is being persecuted,” said the Pope addressing 700 members of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. “ Far from an at tempt to restore tranquility in Italy there are efforts to maintain a menacing horizon. Nine thousand Fascists have been called out to prevent youthful members of the Catholic Action Party from meeting even in silence. Reports disclose a hateful intensification of watching and spying. Continual threats are disturbing the communities’ life.”