MUSSOLINI A BLUFF, ASSERTS OBSERVER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18012, 24 November 1926, Page 1

MUSSOLINI A BLUFF, ASSERTS OBSERVER.

HAS AT HIS CALL ONLY A GANG OF SIXTH-RATERS, TRAINED TO TYRANNY, WHOM HE CANNOT TRUST.

Bubble Must Burst.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received November 24, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 23.

Declaring Fascism will collapse at the latest with the disappearance of its founder, Renwick, the special commissioner of the “ Daily Chronicle ” in Rome, proceeds to dispel the general conception of Mussolini. “ The wonderful picture conjured up of Mussolini, dashing from one Ministry to another and making instant decisions on matters of vital national concern, giving orders for wonderful new measures, seeing Ambassadors, reviewing Fascists, riding early in the morning and rushing off somewhere af night, is nothing but picturesque propa ganda,'’ he says. “ Mussolini, in reality', is rather lazy. He has spurts of activity, but there is little evidence that they are reaHy effective. The noise about his six portfolios is a ridiculous business. “ The truth is that he has only at his call a gang of sixth-raters trained to tyranny and nothing else. He cannot trust them. He has command of picturesque phrases, but the thing will pall. Italy is looking for deeds, and has been disappointed. “WHEN THE RIDICULOUS ONE-MAN SHOW CRASHES—AS IT MUST WHEN THE RIGGEST POLITICAL FRAUD EVER PERPETRATED ON A NATION IS ENDED, WHEN HIS BLUFF IS CALLED -THERE WILL CERTAINLY BE SERIOUS TROUBLE.

“ Living is still most expensive, and white bread recently disappeared. Graft goes on, and taxation is heavy. There are half a million unemployed, and petty tyranny is constant, yet Fascism must not be criticised. In such a state is the country that, when Fascism falls, it will be difficult to find a man willing to own he was ever a Blackshirt. “ Meanwhile, telegrams from Paris suggest the active dangers of the international policy of Fascism, particularly in connection with military preparations on the Franco-Italian frontier."