The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-08-20
How Italy's Master
Rose to Power and
Why He Collapsed
BY ELLIOTT J. PINE

On July 70, l945, Benlto MUS
solini, dictator of Italy for 81
years, tearfully resigned his Of
fees, and turned his govern
ment over to King Victor EN-
manuel. The immediate reason
for the dictator's relinquishing
Of power is said to be his inabil-
ity to obtain greater military aid
from Germany. The Fascist
council voted 10 to z against ac-
cepting his plan Of abandoning
more than half the country to
the Allies, and of establishing
a defense line in the north.
When Mussolini realized that he
could not enforce his will as he
was accustomed, he stepped
out, or according to other ac-
counts, was forced out.
More basic than this dispute on
war plans, however, was the in
creasing and bitter distrust Of Mus
solini, and the Fascist party he head
ed. The italian people, most observ-
ers say, never wished to enter World
War II. Defeats, losses and hard
ships have turned the people OF
italy away from Fascism, and re-
volt was brewing ever hotter. When
Mussolini went, Fascism ended too.
King Victor Emmanuel, who has
always retained the shadow Of au-
thority, has given the official version
Of the situation in this statement:
ellis Majesty, the King-Emperor,
has accepted the resignation from
the Offices Of chief of government,
prime minister, and secretary of
state, which was rendered by His
Excellency, signor Benito MussOlini.
and has appointed as chief of gov
eminent, prime minister, and secre-
tary of state, His Excellency, Mar
shall of Italy, signor Pietro Ba-
dOglio."
At the time this statement was
made public, it was pretended that
Mussolini's i'll health was the rea-
son for his leaving office, but this
rather weak excuse was soon
dropped.
The new government thus estab-
1ished by the king and Marshal
Badoglio is generally considered to
signify the end of the Fascist party.
The structure that held Italy tightly
for two decades apparently has col
1apsed by the removal of one man.
Actually the party has been crum-
bling from within for years, say in
formed correspondents.
Fascism Began "a Years Ago.
''Fascism'' as name dates from
March %, 1919, when Mussolini and
145 others organized the Easel
Italiano di Combattimento" mean
ing, italian fighting groups" The
word Easel comes from the old
Roman symbol of authority, the
"Fasces," a beheading ak with a
bundle of scourging rods bound on
the handle. It can be seen on the
reverse Of an American dime.
During the following two years,
this little party increased rapidly.
While Mussolini did not actually
found it, perhaps, he at least was
one Of its earliest and strongest lead
ers. He soon came out in front, a
vigorous man of 80, with COM
polling manner and oratorical per-
suaSiveness.
He was born in 1884, the son of
a village blacksmith and country
school teacher, in Predappio, Ro-
magma province. When he complet-
ed grade school, he became teach
er in neighboring village, and soon
took to stump speaking for the So
cialist party. His political activities
brought him into several clashes
with the law. He became a writer,
and rose to be editor Of the Socialist
organ, "Avanti."
During World War I, he served
as a corporal, and he participated in
the Fiume campaign Of 1919. Soon
after being discharged from service
he met a few kindred spirits, and
began the organization of the Fas-
cists.
1t was a time Of great unrest and
unemployment. Although victorious
In the war, Italy had suffered heavy
losses, and was oppressed by pom
derous war debt. Being q country
naturally poor In resources and only
slightly industrialized at the time,
the postwar depression bore down
more weightiIy than ON other ma
ti0ns. Many were embiftered about
their frustrated hopes for territorial
gains through the Versailles treaty.
They blamed Britain and France for
leaving Italy out.
The wealthy and conservative
class feared the spread Of c0mmu-
nism, and many churchmen added
their voices 10 the clamor. The ma