exciting Adventures

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1926, Page 7

exciting Adventures

WELLINGTON MAN’S TRAVELS MUSSOLINI BOMB OUTRAGE. i GREAT DISCONTENT IN ITALY. To be less than 150 yards from Signor Alussolini on September 11 when a bomb was thrown at him while his car was traversing the I’iazza Porta Pia in Rome and within sight of Tombs Prison, New York, on November 5, when a battle was fought between prisoners and warders, were two exciting experiences which befel Air. Charles Wilson, formerly Parliamentary librarian at Wellington, who returned from a world tour by the Niagara on Monday. Describing what he saw of the Alussolini incident, Air. Wilson said that although less than 150 yards distant, he did not hear the explosion of the bomb thrown by the young stonemason, Giovannini, but knew that something was amiss owing to the sudden appearance of hundreds of Fascisti. They smashed the windows of the nearby Socialist co-operative store. “Troops with machine-guns then came on the scene and I thought it was time I got out/' Air. Wilson said. “Needless to say, all the Socialists in the vicinity disappeared. LITTLE SYMPATHY DISPLAYED. “The cabled reports to the effect that the crowds were incensed by the attack are entirely wrong. Outside the Fascisti there was no manifestation of sympathy at all. On the night of the incident the people of Rome were sullen, quiet and discontented. That evening I heard Alussolini address a crowd in the Piazza Colonna. He made a strong speech and bitterly attacked France by implication. It is no exaggeration to say that Italy is muzzled by Mussolini. It seems to me his rule is changing from dictatorship to despotism. The latest advice was that he held seven Ministerial portfolios and he is undoubtedly trying to run the whole country himself.” Mr. Wilson said he believed the people were becoming tired of Alussolini’s rule. One could not speak in Italy without fear of bringing the wrath of the dictator and his followers on one’s head. The Fascisti themselves were very young and irresponsible, and it was a question whether Mussolini could keep them in order. There was no doubt that industrially Italy was making wonderful progress, Alussolini being responsible for much of it. On the other hand, the cost of living was simply crushing. “There is no question that Mussolini has power, but I must confess I am afraid of the future. AVhat will happen I cannot say, but the people seem discontented.’’ LIVELY CHARABANC DRIVE. Speaking of the New York incident, Air. AVilson said he was out driving in a charabanc with his wife and when passing near Tombs prison they heard shots. “At first I thought the people were celebrating the victory of Al. Smith for the New York Alayotalty,” he said. “Suddenly dozens of police appeared from nowhere. We heard more shots and then our charabanc took another route. We later heard the fight was brought about by an attempt to escape made by three prisoners. Three were killed and two others mortally injured.” Air. Wilson has returned fully restored to health. With Airs. Wilson he visited Australia, France, Holland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States and Canada. AVhile in Paris he renewed many acquaintances made during his stay there many'years ago.