New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-04
FASCISM Creating
ITS own NOBILITY
King Awarding Titles to husso.
lini's Valued Assistants

Rome, Jan. l. SP-Premier Mus
solini's Fascist regime is building
I'D its own titled nobility. like Ma
poleon's first empire in France over
loo years ago.
In the past two months. three
new hereditary titles OF count have
been bestowed by King Victor En-
manuel. acting on the premier's
recommendation. The recipients
were General Ugo Cavallero. who
during his three and half years
service as Mussolini's undersecre-
tary for war reorganized the 1tal-
ian army; Admiral Costanzo Ciano.
minister OF communications in the
present cabinet, and General Arturo
Cittaodini, then the kings ranking
ide-de-camp. The last named lived
but . week in the enjoyment OF his
new honor.
Most of the outstanding Italian
figures In the late war, who SYM
pathized with Fascism, received
hereditary titles some time ago. The
first to be ennobled was Gabrielle
d'Annunzio, created Prince Of Mon
tenevoso. Admiral Thaon di Revel
became Duca del Mare duke Of the
seal, and the title Of the late Mar
shall Diaz-Duke Of Victory-is now
borne by his son, while his widow.
too, Is referred to az Duchessa della
Vittoria.
Among the quadrumviri, the In
trepid quartet that organized and
put through the march on Rome In
1922. precipitating Mussolini's ad-
vent to the premiership. Cesare de
Vecchi. now governor Of Somalia,
alone accepted q nobleman's rank
He was created Count Of Val Cis-
mon In 1925. Count Volpi. negotia-
tor Of the Italo-American war debt
agreement at Washington, was
raised to the nobility soon afte:
his return from acting as governor
OF Tripoli. his title being Count OF
Misurata. Mussolini took no patent
Of nobility for himself; his title Of
''Duce del Fascismo" Ueader Of
Fascism) has nothing ducal about
1t. 1t IL q unique distinction, and
cannot be handed down. The only
royal reward he accepted was men,
bership as a chevalier in the Order
Of the Annunziata. 1t il the most
highly priced italian decoration.
and wearers of its collar" are
dubbed cousins of the king.
In contrast with most of the pre-
miers who have ruled Italy since
the final achievement OF national
unity in 1870, Mussolini, despite his
practically limitless power. has pro-
ceeded with extreme caution in the
matter OF comforting titles and dec
orations. There are no stated time,
for promotions. as with the Legion
Of Honor In France, whore every
cobinet minister has certain num-
Der Of crosses. rosettes and cravata
at his disposal. Nor are there spe-
cial ennobIements at New Years or
on the kings birthday. as in Eng
land. It is far cry from the times
when Victor Emmanuel II. grand
father of the present sovereign. was
alleged to have remarked: II could
no more refuse good man knight
hood In the Order OF the Crown
than I could begrudge him a good
cigar."'
Mussolini has let II be known that
he will recommend for the royal
accolads only those outstanding fig
ures In italian life whose claims 10
fame are beyond doubt in the minds
OF their contempora ries. One Of his
rare exceptions was in favor Of an
old gentleman whose son. a. war
hero of outstanding distinction, felI
on the battlefield. He had hin
created count. in order that the
memory Of the brave sons famii,
name might take on now llstrc
Another exception was when he Sc.
cured royal assent TO comforting {
barony on Deputy Acerho. vice
president Of the outgoing Chamhe1
Of Deputies.