The New York herald., 1922-08-08
Italy's Fascist in New Warfare.

AtoIy AdoSiSn III iNCW w al cs
The clashes between the extreme
Nationalists. as represented by the
Fascist, and their radical opponents
in the ranks of the socialist and COM
munistic parties have at last forced
the Italian Government to place five
| important industrial cities of north
ern Italy under the control OF
military authorities. The situation
is the present phase of politi-
cal strife which has been marked
throughout by serious disturbance
of industrial conditions in Italy, and
which had its origin in the after war
struggle between the forces which
would turn Italy over to radicalism
and those on the other hand which
would awaken the spirit Of Italian
patriotism and nationalism.
The Fascist were the aggressors, as
to very great extent they have been
in the past. They practically took
possession by force of arms of the
municipal buildings in both Milan
and Genoa, and treated with consid-
cradle severity all the socialists
whom they found in control OF
municipal affairs. But against this
charge of aggression the Fascist
maintain that the general strike
ordered by the socialists and their
sympathizers brought about a COM
plete paralysis Of all business and in
pdustrial enterprises in northern Italy.
They declare, too, that the strike
was called for political purposes and
as means of retaliation against the
demands made by the Fascist.
The Fascist entered the fight
against their opponents with the
same bold and energetic tactics which
they have employed ever since the
beginning of their movement. They
won practically without any assist
ance from the Government, for the
strike was called of Sunday night.
Not only did they win this victory
but they showed the weakness Of the
strike authorities. At the same time
the general public, which had been
the real sufferer in so many of these
spasmodic and unreasonable STOP
pages of work, rejoiced at the ending
of the strike although it may not
have entirely approved the method
by which It was brought about.
Premier FAcTA has been almost
powerless in meeting the present SIT
uation. His Cabinet, none too strong
when confirmed, has survived, per-
haps, principally because IL was the
only one which could live through
the intense struggle of the strong
conflicting interests. He has had q
somewhat weak support from the
Fascist. but their insistence that
the socialist power shall be still fur
ther curtailed places him in pecul-
iarly difficult situation. The fact
that NITTI Is believed to be making
use of the present conditions to bring
about his return to the Premiership
this the Fascist would above all
things combat-may eventually bring
about some compromise that will
leave FAcTA still at the head of the
Government. At the same time such
a compromise may bring into the
Cabinet some. of the stronger men Of
northern Italy, who have been strug.
Cling more or less successfully with
the unrest due to the fight between
Nationalists and radicals. s.
The Fascist themselves disclain
afiliation with any political party
and II Is difficult to find q man who
would carry out in every detail
the policy for which they stand. They
must eventually temper their de
mands IL the Government is to b,
able to harmonize the different po
litical tendencies in the country
This is the task which confronts any
Italian Ministry which may b,
called into existence. 1t Is impossi
BILE that the present supergovern
ment which the Fascist have i'm
posed will be endured by Italy ever
though II processes the loftiest o
patriotic purposes.