ITALIAN SITUATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16630, 9 January 1925, Page 5

ITALIAN SITUATION.

* SENOR. SACOHI’S: COMMENTS. (Special to the Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. An interesting comment on the Italian political situation was made by Signor Fillipo ISaechi, 'an Italian journalist who is at present towing the South Island. . The visitor is" attached *to the staff of the Corri-ere Delia- Sera, the biggest hews paper in Milan, and in politics a supporter of the official Opposition. In reply to a. question regarding the present -political situation in Italy, ho said) that lie had been absent from his native country for two months, and in view of later developments it was difficult- to summarise the position, hut so far -as he could interpret the situation it had developed along expected lines. “We( of the Opposition party,” he said, “think it-ha-t the Fascist party must gradually come into collaboration with the others. I think that, the latest ndws shows that tho Fascist are practically alone, and will try to govern alone without reference to- the wishes of those who didl not think along similar lines to their own. Mussolini believes that he can assume power in Italy without the support- of other sections of the population. We believe it is not possible to do so, and Italy is now entering into a period when Hid opinion will be tested. We believe ithat the balance of power is in tho hands of the Monarchy, because tho Monarchy is as strong now as ever. The majority of the people, we believe, feel that the Monarchy in ItaSy is absolutely necessary to- the upholding of the constitution ; also in this unconstitutional position wo have seen that, the preservation of the Monarchy has prevented the nation from falling into had com,plications.”

The pres man 'brought under Signor Shcehii’s notice a cable from Rome which was published on the previous day, stating that, the whole Opposition press had loftt its vehemence, had ecu.sot to attack the Ooverriinrit, • and merely published haldl news, as a result of Mussolini’s declaration that liei would break the back of the Avon tin© opposition within fortyeight. hours.

Signor Sanchi cpit (hat the Opposition pie s had' for tin! last year ceased making editorial comment, after making its protest, that there was .no longer a.nv freedom of the press in Italy. This positi'on ihadl arisen as the result of Facist. pressure, but was not a recent development..