The New York herald., 1922-11-10
Credit Institute Under Attack.

Important question:
Credit Institute Under Attack.
The organization which Baldinl heads.
the National Cooperative Credit Insti-
tute, has $4,000 members and a capital
OF 800, ,0o0,0 900 lire. For months past II
has been particularly subjected to attack
by the Fascist, until during the recent
crisis its Ravenna headquarters were
occupied. all records seized. and Baldini
with other leaders actually driven out
of Ravenna and ordered not TO return.
This prescription is still on. though the
Fascist have offered to allow him to
return without his followers. an offer
which Baldini has refused. Meanwhile.
with the headquarters still occupied. the
agricultural operations of this organiza-
tion are practically paraiyzed.
Since Italys revolution, as it is called,
Baldini has been in Rome trying to get
the embargo lifted and his records re-
stored, but he has not yet succeeded. 1t
is becoming more and more evident that
biggest problem under its new regime.
Talking with THE NEW YoRS HERALD
correspondent yesterday Baldini who is
greatly respected throughout Italy, said !:
II believe In the sincerity of Mus.
solini, but l have very serious doubts
whether he will be able to prevent the
Fascist continuing their work of de-
stroying the socialistic cooperatives. 1t
is my conviction they are going to be
totally destroyed. The damage we have
already endured and the destruction of
our records are cutting into the entire
fabric OF our credit system. the damage
resulting from the Fascist raids being
far worse than suffered by the trade
sfn
circulation is now stopped"
Warning From Labor.
The first public pronouncement OF
Italian labor. as represented by the Gem
eral Federation of Labor. on the events
of the last fortnight has been made by
Eugenio Azzimnnu, secretary to that
organization. Writing in the official
organ. the Workers Bulletin, he says:
"As Italian citizens we cannot be
otherwise than pleased that the two op-
posing forces acted so as to avoid a
bloody conflict which would cost human
lives. The workers organizations have
remained aloof from the two factions in
their fight. for Intervention in behalf of
either side would not only have COM
promised the independence OF the work
ers' movement but also hindered the
solution of a situation that was becom-
ing constantly more intolerable. The
workers realized that any interference
on their part would have brought down
the wrath Of both sides upon their heads.
Only trumpet blowing Communists could
.hink of participation by the proletariat
In q conflict not directly concerning
them. and however revolutionary or con-
servative they might be, they knew u
was dangerous TO take sides In politi-
cal crisis.
Although this Is considered an at
tempt 10 rally the bulk of labor 10 n
neutral attitude pending the formula .
tion of the first definite steps by Italy's
unusual Government. il remains 10 be
seen whether the article will stop the
current stampede upon Mussollni's or
ganization by individual unions. In
fact labor threatens almost TO capture
and absorb Fascimo. To-day one OF the
leading Communist unions In southern
Italy announced Itself Fascista, and IL
is estimated that at least 1900. 900 union
men already have LETT the general fed
Grafton as a result OF conversion into
Fascist.
A big seamen's union, which has been
strong in resisting domination by Fas-
elmo. now seems on the point of ca
pitulating. The main underlying cause
of this descrtion by the rank and file OF
labor is the simple psychological one Of
admiration by the ordinary person for
the stronger man who has whipped him.
as Mussolini through his Fascist
whipped labor in the general strike
last August, which was the beginning Of
the end. This probably win continue II
Premier Mussolini governs italy and the
black shirts with a strong hand.