The New York herald., 1921-05-15
VOTE TODAY TO HIT
ITALY'S SOCIALISTS
Greatest Political Campaign
Under 1848 Constitu-
tion Ends.
NEW DISTRICTS BALLOT
NEW DISTRICTS BALLOT
Fascist, Who Swerved
Country From Anarchy,
Influence Elections.
TEST FOR THE PREMIER
Giolitti Attacks Nitti, Who
Says Emigration to U. s.
Has Cut His Vote.

aoME, May 14.-The greatest polit-
leaf campaign italy has known since
the granting Of the Constitution in
1s4s closed hero to-day on the eve Of
tho general elections. Heretofore there
have boen sos members Of the Cham
Der Of Deputies. AS a result Of the
elections tomorrow this number viii
be Increased by representatives OF
Trentino, Venezia, Giulia and Istria-
and In the renewal Of the Chamber 1t
is expected that the Socialist represen-
tation will be decreased materially.
In the last elections in November,
1919, the Socialists returned 156 Dep
uties, or q third moro than the
strength Of their party in Italy JUS
titled, due largely to the middle class
element not voting. Since then there
has been steadily increasing opposi-
ton to the Socialists. and the deter
mined stand regarding them and their
demands by the Government, headed
by Giovanni Giolitti. the Premier, has
strengthened this opposition material
ly. They are now split into three fac
tions-ths Communists. under the lead
ership Of Signor Bombacci; the Union
lists, the largest faction, led by Signor
Serrati, and the Moderates, under Sig
Eor Tirat. This split occurred coin
cident with the general convention
held in Leghcrn last fall.
Cause of Socialist Decline.
One Of the chief causes for the ex-
pected decrease In Socialist representa-
ton Is the opposition created by the
Fascist. or Extreme Nationalists. who
have led the reaction and fostered a ma
tionalist spirit as against the Con1nlu-
mist doctrines. which for a time this year
appeared to some observers to be about
TO sweep all Italy into anarchy How
ever, the Socialists have in their party
some men Of proved ability, and compe-
tent observers here declare that once
the Socialist party has overthrown it's
disturbing element in the party councils
the real leaders will flnd themselves
nearer to the Government position than
they ever were.
The Fascist were an outcome of the
war. in which Italy spent her wealth
and gave up the flower Of her youth. In
this campaign they Joined forces with
Nationalists on a platform which COM
prised the demands of both Fascist and
Nationalists.
This platform demanded: First. sup
mort of the aspirations of Adriatic do
ninion extending to Dalmatia: second.
opposition to total or extensive disarma-
ment: third. opposition to collective ana
workmen's participation in the manage
ment of the industrial plants, which was
,alt Ham, ly,I a
speedy settlement of the claims of all
men who were wounded in the war, and
fifth. insistence on the pledges and as
pirations for which Italy fought in the
war.
The campaign has proved that this
party will be a real factor in tho result
of the election tomorrow. Obviously
some OF its demands do not represent the
aspirations of the italian majority, but
observers believe it will poll a good vote
and that it will be a factor in Italian
politics. although 1t probably VIII lose
Importance gradually as economic ana
social conditions improve in Italy.
Fascist Act OpportuneIy.
It entered the political arena at a
time when Italy, feeling the defeats she
had experienced in the Paris peace con-
ference and the sore travail of the af-
ter1nath of the world war. was regarded
l,v the radicals as the most fertile field
in Europe outside OF Russia for Bolshe-
ytsm. The Fascist met this menace face
10 face and fought 1t with nationalist
spirit which their leaders characterized
as true to the very best traditions of
Italian patriotism. It Is expected that
the vote their candidates will receive
tomorrow will show at least a measure
rel "a
The two other leading political parties
In the campaign are the Democratic Lib
oral and the Italian Popular party. The
platform of the former was set forth in
the note in which Premier Giolitti asked
tba King to dissolve Parliament and
which Emmanuel did on April s. Adher-
cnts of this party characterize IT as "a
platform of order and democratic evo-
luton"
The Premier in his note to the King
said in part:
Now that Italy has attained her nat
uraI frontiers, her foreign policy must
stress the development of international
trade for the sake of securing new zones
OF economic influence. new markets for
Italian goods and new avenues Of emi-
grafton, 30 that her visible and invisible
exports may counterbalancc her ncccs-
gary imports OF coal and other raw ma
trr1als. no Paihs HiVP'S'S q
law whereby the assent OF Parliament
will be necessary before an international
treaty may become effective.
Economy and Heavy Taxes.
"a programme of strict economy and
heavy taxation is proposed in order to
eliminate tho present budget deficit
which as result of recent legislation
has already been reduced from one to
four billion lire for the fiscal year 1920
1921. The taxation programme calls for
heavy penalties upon the more wealthy
classes.
"Tho platform demands wide reform
in tho system and execution of justice
and the revision OF laws SO as to meet
the requirements Of new provinces and
the present conditions Of the country.
"The party platform proposes that 1t
he rendered possible for competent pri-
yate institutions to take their place in
tho national educational system, the
state still retaining control, however,
through tho institution of the State ex-
animation.
"Now that Ttaly's international situa-
ton has clarified. her military and naval
programn1e must be revised so that The
requirements OF national defence being
taken into full account tho military and
naval establishments may not weigh too
heavily upon tho State nor military
duties upon tho citizen.
"Tho platform contemplates the in
tnuslve development of the Cooperat tive