ITALY: Stern Comedy

Signora Matteotti, widow of the reputedly Fascist-murdered millionaire Socialist Deputy (TIME, June 23, 1924, et seq.), commented bitterly upon an announcement made last week that the five men now charged with the “unpremeditated murder” of Matteotti are to be tried at Chieti next month. Said she: “I am withdrawing my lawyers. I shall ignore the trial. Through the machinations of the Fascist government those actually to blame will not be tried. It would be repugnant to me to participate in such a comedy,”

At the time of the murder even Premier Mussolini himself was suspected of instigating the assassins, and his party’s supremacy was momentarily threatened by the scandal. During the ensuing dilatory proceedings, the Fascist prosecutor has whitewashed all Fascists of any importance.