Evening star., 1937-10-16
Thunder Over Rome?

NoAC Wcck-On OCCODer ZZ-FaSciSt
Italy celebrates the fifteenth anniver-
sary OF the march on Rome and the &C.
cession of Benito Mussolini to virtually
supreme power in the state. His rule,
challenged and precarious in its forma-
tive period, survived the shock of revolt
personifled by the Inflated Matteoti af-
fair in 1924. After that dissenter was
"purged," the first famous victim of
what was later to become the routine
technique of relationships, especially in
Germany and Russia, for liquidation of
foes or rivals, the Fascist sway has been
conspicuously immune from serious op-
position The strong-a arm system, char
acterized by the castor oil treatment
and other discouragements of non-con-
formiSts, steadily accomplished its pur-
pose. Today, along with the disappear
ance of all vestiges of democracy, hos
tllity to the dictatorial reign has prac-
tlcally vanished. Where it exists, it is
OF the sporadic, skulking variety devoid
OF political significance and possessing
little but nuisance value.
1t is because of the supposition that
fascism is impregnably intrenched that
news OF revolt against Mussolini's
regime produces surprise. During the
past forty-eight hours, twenty-six So
called young intellectuals" acting for
the United Anti-Fascist Front" have
been condemned by the drumhead Sc
cret tribunal for defense of the Fascist
state on charges of plotting to over
throw II Duce. The conspirators are
said to belong to a subversive group op-
Grating for the past year at Milan under
orders from a central organization in
Paris, long a haven of refuge for fas-
cism's exiled foes. The incriminated
men are also accused of connection with
an underground Communist junta
dominated by reds also headquartered
in the French capital.
For the first time since the Ethiopian
war proceedings of the high defense tri-
bunal have been publicly reported, a
circumstance which lends extraordinary
Importance to the seditious revelations.
To suggest that the dictatorship is un-
dermined would be premature at this
time. Yet there is variety of circum-
stances to support the theory that all is
not for the best in Rome. The Ethiopian
conquest fired Italian patriotic emotions
despite its drain on the nations life and
treasure. A year has elapsed since the
mantle OF imperial glory was draped over
Victor Emmanuel's shoulders, but the
blessings and glories it was supposed to
bestow upon Italy have been conspicuous
by their absence. Needed capital for
colonial development has not been
found. An extensive garrison is required
for occupation of vast and hostile ter
ritory. During the past month forty
one Italian officers and again as many
troops have been killed in uprisings of
native groups. The Rome government
has just officially admitted that pacifl-
cation OF Ethiopia is a process OF inces-
sanity bloody strife with rebellious
tribesmen.
Popular resentment over the cost of
African empire and its failure to produce
promised dividends is not lessened by the
past years adventure in insurgent
Spain. Recent disclosure that one Of
Mussolini's sons is flying with bombing
squadron in frances army may well
have been designed to revive tagging
popular enthusiasm for Italian interven-
ton in the Spanish civil war. II Duce
fastened to incite national pride over
the prowess of his volunteers" at Bilbao
and on other fronts, but the blow to
Fascist military prestige at Guadalajara
the Spanish Caporetto"-sti rankles
IN Italian breasts. Franco has just re-
quested Mussolini to recall the two chief
Italian generals who have been on duty
in Spain.
Foreign diversions" threats and
dangers Of WARFARE favorite panaceas Of
autocrats in domestic hot water. Is 1t
possible that Mussolini's defiance Of
Great Britain and France In the Medi-
terranean betokens that all is not well
on the home front-that there is some
~ S{~nA l.