Evening star., 1937-04-04
THREEMENT|0NED
TO SUCCEED DUCE
Grandi, BaIbo and Ciano
Held Next in Line Under
MusSoIini's Plan.
BY EDGAR c. STRUT.

e.
ROME, April (NANA).-At a
time when Benito Mussolini is pro-
je0tlng himself more and more into in
teinational affairs, there is increasing
speculation as to who would succeed
him in the event of his retirement or
death.
The Duce himself does not appear to
attach much Importance to the ques-
ton, as he iokingly remarked last year
that he felt fit for another half CEN
tury in the service of my country"
1t would be difficult to replace Mus
solini. because his individuality, his
ego is rarely duplicated Physically,
he bears strong resemblance to Oc-
tavius Augustus and Napoleon. But
he is not only personality. Fascist
Italy looks upon him as the symbol of
the continuation of the power of
Rome through the ages
Rule for Succession.
Mussolini has laid down a rule for
the succession to the leadership of the
Fascist party. He has ordered that
the Grand Fascist Council shall every
year select three candidates to the
leadership, inclosing the "terna," or
group Of three names, in a sealed en-
velope, which is delivered to the ad-
miniStrator or manager Of the Fascist
party, Signor Marinelli, who locks 1t
up in the huge safe which also con-
tains many millions of Fascist money.
1t must be remembered that, al
though Mussolini's collaborators are
men Of outstanding merit, they lack
his worldwide prestige and his pas
sionate eloquence which carries away
the crowds.
Perhaps the ''terna" of prospective
successors would include Italo Balbo,
noted for his energy, one of the Fas-
clst quadrumvirs in the march IN
Rome in 1922, and at present governor
Of Triploitania. He possesses most of
the qualities expected in a Fascist
leader, including that of youth, the
Fascist hymn being "Giovinezza.
Giov1nezza, Primavera di Bellezza !"
youth, Youth Springtide Of BeautyD
Married to Heiress.
Gen. Balbo cannot be exactly de-
scrlbed as an Apollo, but he is an
athletically-built man in the early
4Os, with little black, peaked beard.
He has married one of the wealthiest
and most beautiful heiresses OF the
Italian aristocracy and now owns a
magnificent castle in his native town
of Ferrara the mere restoration of
which has cost 100000.
The second favorite would appear
to be Dino Grandi, Italian Ambassador
to the Court of st. James, whom the
King, on the Duce's suggestion, has
just created a count. chiefly in recog-
milton of his firm attitude during the
difficult period of the sanctions. He,
too, is in the 40s and tall, handsome
man, gifted with a charming manner
which makes him an ideal diplomatist
Perhaps, however, this very gift would
interfere with his success as potential
successor of the Duce, as Italians have
become accustomed to regard him
more as a perfect ambassador than
as the leader of his country.
Again, there Is the present minister
for foreign affairs, Galeazzo Ciano,
son Of Count Costanzo Ciano, the
admiral who sank the Austrian flag
ship in the Adriatic during the World
War, torpedoing her in tiny mas, or
motor boat. 1t is interesting to see
Count Costanzo Ciano, now President
of the Chamber of Deputies, with his
son, Count Galeazzo Ciano, the Duces
son-ln-laW, sitting at the bench of
ministers. Galeazzo Ciano's candi-
dacy, however, has small chance of
success. because, despite his undoubted
political talent and experience, he still
has too much of that enviable gift
called 'giovinezza.
Assassination Attempted.
Mussolini has escaped a number OF
attempts upon his life. He was seri-
ously wounded during the war and
believes he bears a charmed life. He
spent few days recently on the
Apennines, at Terminillo, with his
younger son, Romano and was photo
graphed while skating on the ice, j..
naked to the waist, at the risk of
catching influenza or pneumonia
But, of course, the Duce cannot last
forever, and, in the event of his dis
appearance, the Grand Fascist Coun-
Gil would assemble and seek audience
of the King, to whom they would
deliver the sealed envelope contain
ing the three names of eligible candi-
dates to the Duce's succession The
King would then open the envelope,
cast his eye on the names and appoint
the new leader or duce of Fascist
Italy.
When Mussolini and his Fascists
marched upon Rome in 1922, King
Victor Emmanuel III appointed him
prime minister. Technically, there
fore, the Fascist revolution did not
upset the constitution. The appoint
ment of new prime minister by the
King, as outlined above, would conse-
quently satisfy the scruples of legal
purists while continuing the hold
which fascism exercises over the
whole of Italy.
(Copyright. 1887. by the North American
Newspaper Alliance, 1nc)
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