ITALY: Che Cosa Fa, Mussolini?

ITALY

Che Cosa Fà, Mussolini?

On the advice of Premier Mussolini, King Vittorio Emanuele adjourned the Italian Parliament. Great was the surprise throughout Italy!

Under the Constitution the King can dissolve the Chamber of Deputies at any time, but is bound to order new elections, which must take place within 70 days, and to convoke a session of the new Chamber within four months. The King did not dissolve the Chamber, he merely suspended the last session; but his action was interpreted throughout the length and breadth of Italy as forecasting a dissolution and a general election.

Fascist Deputy Acerbo, Under Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, cast cold water on the national enthusiasm for a general election by saying: “To close the Parliamentary session does not necessarily imply the dissolution of Parliament. If dissolution becomes necessary in the future, Signer Mussolini will announce it in due course ., . . Mussolini has not revealed ; the fundamental reason for his action to anyone.”

Meanwhile, all Italy resounded with rumors as to the reasons which induced Signer Benito Mussolini to suspend the Parliamentary session. It was stated that the King had refused Mussolini’s demand for an extension of his dictatorship. This rumor, as were most of the others, was speedily denied. Mussolini made a great secret of his future plans.

Whatever the reasons for this step, it was perfectly obvious that the Fascista Party, which means Mussolini, had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Under the provisions of the Electoral Reform Bill (TIME, May 28 et seq.) the Party with a plurality of votes obtains two-thirds of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies. On the basis of the last elections (1921) this would give the majority party 356 seats out of 535. For the Fascista Party this would mean an increase of 324 seats, in itself a very great advantage to Fascismo.

That Premier Mussolini contemplated ending the dictatorship and risking his power upon the decision of the electorate, is meaningless. Fascism as a political theory is not really popular in Italy, but the Fascisti with Mussolini at their head are at the zenith of their popularity. The difference is that their means of acquiring power have not been condoned by a large number of Italians; but that the results obtained by them, from almost” every point of view, have been deserving of unstinted praise from the nation. By virtually discarding the outward accoutrements of his dictatorial power, Mussolini can disarm his opponents while holding their favor, and so overshadow the Giolittists and the Radicals. As for the Catholic Party, it was thought likely that they will support the Fascisti, the resignation of Don Sturzo (TIME, July 23) pointing to the contrary.

Although Premier Mussolini’s intentions were unknown, politicians were taking it for granted that general elections would be held and were making their arrangements accordingly. Said ex-Premier Giolitti: “It is necessary that the country should have a chance to show what men represent its views. I believe the election should be held in April. It is a mistake to hold an election in winter. Fourteen years ago I made this mistake, which cost many votes as owing to the weather, the people in the mountain districts were unable to visit the polls.”