FROM THE ARCHIVES:Benito Mussolini's regime in Italy was of widespread interest in the 1920s and 1930s. The Irish Times reflected on it on the seventh birthday of his Fascist party. –
JOE JOYCE
YESTERDAY, WITH Augustan pomp, the seventh anniversary of Fascismo was celebrated in Rome. Signor Mussolini, who, on the previous day, had issued a message to the nation, received addresses of homage and reviewed the Roman Black-shirts at Villa Gloria. Seven years ago Mussolini was an obscure journalist; now, as the absolute dictator of Italy, he exults publicly in the fact that he has crushed the last efforts of opposition to his will.
Dictatorship has failed in Spain and almost certainly will fail in Greece. Why has it succeeded during the last four years in Italy? Why have the Italian people surrendered their liberties, almost without a struggle, into the hands of a man who holds the ideas of the Risorgimento in open contempt? The tremendous personality of Signor Mussolini provides only a small part of the explanation. He found [Italy] poor, depressed, discontented, over-taxed. The madness of Communism had played havoc with industry. The intrigues of politicians of the old school had made national administration a by-word for extravagance and corruption. With ruthless and arrogant force Mussolini crushed the Labour extremists, re-created and extended industry, cleansed the Augean stables of national and municipal government and reduced taxes and the cost of living. Under her new autocrat Italy is a well-managed, peaceful and economically progressive land; and, since, autocracies can understand each other, there has been a notable improvement in the relations between Church and State.
The future of Fascism must have an enormous interest for the world. Shall we know seven years hence that the bold experiment has succeeded, and that Rome has reincarnated her Empire of the first Christian century? Even if Italy is reconciled to a permanent dictatorship, will democratic Europe be able to stand the strain of its reactions? We think that the real test of Signor Mussolini’s power, and of his ability to transmit that power to a successor, is yet to come. He found Italy wretched and made her prosperous, and a grateful people has forgotten, for the moment, its losses in its gains. Will it remember the losses when another period of economic distress or defeat in arms overtakes Italy? The danger lies in the ranks of Italian Labour. They are helpless to-day; for under Fascist law the Government has control of all trade union activity, and the whole weight of the middle classes is behind Signor Mussolini. This situation is supported at present by an industrial “boom” which makes the yoke light for the railway workers and factory hands; but, if and when that “boom” become a “slump,” disconcerting things may happen.
Europe is full of exiled Italians who are waiting for “the day,” and liberal thought has not been killed by the extinction of its organs in the Press.
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