The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-12-31
The FrancO-Italian Antagonist

The FrancO-Italian Antagonist
On the 28th of November the Italian worker
Di Modugno was sentenced by the Paris Jury
Court to two years Imprisonment for killing
the Italian vice Consul Nardini, who in a
brutal manner refused to issue him pass
port for his wife
The trial provided an opportunity to ex-
pose once again the anti-proletarian spying
activity carried on by the fascist embassies
and consulates in France, and at the same
time to reveal the incapacity of the social
democratic leaders to put up fight against
fascism. The witnesses called by the defence:
Modigliani. Caporalli, and Pietro Nenni, con-
fined themselves to lauding French demo-
cracy. at the same time forgetting that this
democracy expelled $4,000 foreign workers
during the last few months. Only our COM
rade Di Vittorio, an Italian Communist
deputy, could have given a real presentation
of the inhuman prosecutions in Italy But he
was rejected as witness.
The Italian press receive the news of the
sentence of the French court with howl OF
rage; demonstrations have taken place in
front of the French consulates in Italy.
Italian officers sent their French decorations
ana OrQerS Ddch 10 WI. NlOuIIlSISUC, CllC L ASoA-
dent of the French Republic.
The French government reacted in an ex-
tremely characteristic manner to these hap
penings When the first news arrived from
Italy, the French Ministerial Council, on the
proposal of NJ Sarraut adopted decision to
increase the persecution of italian workers
who have been driven from their country by
fascism. This decision is all the more con-
temptible when one bears in mind the activity
which the Italian conSulates are carrying on
in France. Irrefutable documents, which
have been published in the "Humanlte,'
prove that members of the Italian fascist for
nations abroad meet at the Italian con-
sulates.
But that is not all. The press of the "na-
Etional unity has made use Of the Modugno
Il trial and commenced a fierce campaign Tor
the abolition of trial by jury In one OF his
speeches in Parliament M. BRAND gave it to
be understood that he is quite willing to ac-
cede to the wishes of the duce.
We must wait and see whether these
measures will satisfy the appetite OF Italian
imperialism. There is good reason for doubt
ing it, as this sentence is only pretext. The
real reasons for the Italian excitement lie
deeper. The present dispute brings to the
front the whole of the Franco-Italian rela-
lions. Fascism describes Italy as nation
which has been STABILITY treated Italy has
42 million inhabitant with an annual increase
in population of 100000. These AZ millions
live in territory 100000 square kilometers
in extent, part of which is unhealthy while
another part is completely uninhabitable. On
the other hand, 80 million French live in
territory of 551, 900 square kilometers, and
have yearly increase in population of only
10000. Imperialist France, which is rich IN
raw materials, faces fascist Italy, which IS
lacking in raw materials and has surplus OF
free labor power.
The peace treaties and the postwar de-
veopment have only increased the tension be-
tween these two States. If Italy managed
to grab portion of Tyrol and strip Of the
coast of the Adriatic Sea with the big harbor
of Trieste it is compelled on the other hand,
to endeavor to prevent an increase IN the
strength of Yugoslavia, which appears as
serious rival in the Balkans In addition, Italy
was completely passed over when the former
German colonial possessions were distributed.
French imperialism has, in an unmistakable
manner. expressed its determination to con-
sohdate its colonial possessions. The desire
for colonies is the chief motive actuating
fascist policy.
More than year ago the italian Minister
Italo Balbo made journey to Tunls, and
this provided the occasion for the local Italian
population to hold noisy demonstrations for