Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-22
MUSS0uNI MOVE
ON ELECTORAL LAW
STIRS DEPUTIES

Rome, Dec. 21.-(By A. P.)-
Premier Mussolini's dramatic an.
nouncement in the chamber of de.
puties yesterday, giving notice of 0
bill modifying the electoral law
kept the political atmosphere buz.
zing today. The senate and cham.
Der, the embassies and legislations
and other circles were in q state OF
commotion throughout Sunday. con.
lectures and comments filling the
dir. Most OF the deputies have not
yet recovered from their astonish'
ment.
The premier's decision is inter.
preted as meaning that he intends to
have the general elections in March
or April and 1t has caused some.
thing of a shock among the major
ity members, as we'll as the opposi'
ton. Although many of the depu'
ties and senators left last night &c
spend Christmas at their homes oil
to begin their electoral campaign
parliament resembleds beehive
where the leading politicians gather.
cd to exchange opinions.
Former Premier Giolitti express
ed satisfaction that MussoHni finally
had decided to return to tho cleo
teral system which Gioletti had al
ways supported and under which
each voter may choose hia own de-
putty rather than g. vote for col
lective party ticket, which, gave him
tho impression th3t he had no rep
lesentatiVe in parliament,
Former Premier Salandra also
approved the bill but expressed
doubt whether he would sand agar
for parliament in the next elections
In expressing his support of the bill
former Premier Orlando said: ut Il
undoubtedly a master stroke on the
part of Mussolini 10 seize the bull b!
the horns. thus upsetting the plans
of the opposition and even some Of
his followers"
The so-called Aventine opposition
which Amendola personifies, togeth.
err with deputies Filippo Turati
leader of the intransigant socialists
D6digliani and Cesaro, has adopted
n resolution declaring that Musso-
Eni's move in presenting an electoral
bill is merely an attempt 10 distract
attention from the gravity OF the
situation and to find an outlet for the
government (which morally and pc.
lit.cal1y Is unable any longer "a
stand the grave responsibility of o
situation which 1t has created"
The resolution says that presenta.
ton of the bill cannot imply that the
present government will carry the
general elections, experience having
shown that free elections and q
Fascist government are incompatible
terms"
The resolution concludes with the
statement that the opposition has
unanimously decided not to partici-
pate in parliamentary work.
The definite attitude of the various
parliamentary groups is not .'et
clear, but from present indications,
1t would appear that the extremist
Fascist are announced in the fear
that for them the next elections may
he less successful than the previous
electors. In addition they look up
on the new bill as a concession to
the opposition and a remuneration OF
the Intransigeant spirit animating
Fascism. H..
The moderate Fascist, who are
more numerous, consider Mussolini's
move wise one, permitting the gov
eminent to overcome present diff
ficulties. clear up the situation and
reconstruct the Fascist party.
The Liberals or the right, as
Salandra's followers are called, APP
prove the electoral bill nursing the
hope that Salandra may be Mussol-
ini's successor. The Liberals of The
Left-Giolitti's followers-are equal
" satisfied with the bill, also In the
hope that Giolitti may be his sue
cessor.