Saturday, Mar. 10, 1923
Fascismo Absolute
Following on the heels of the virtual downfall of Terrigiani, head of the Grand Orient Order of Masons in Italy, who was reduced to a position of political impotence by the recent Fascista decree denying political rights to the Masons, comes the news of Serrati's arrest. Menotti Serrati is the editor of Avanti, most radical newspaper of the Socialist party. His arrest for plotting against the safety of the state is considered a vindication of Mussolini's recent threat that he would carry his war against Bolshevism into the enemy's camp.
When Serrati left Italy last October to attend the Third Internationale, he was one of the most powerful men in the country. The fact that he was forced to return secretly to his native land and that he found most of his colleagues against him, is striking proof of the decline of communist power in Italy. With the exception of the Socialist press not a dissenting voice was heard in all the land.
Mussolini declares that he has no prejudices against women. But while admitting their right to take part in the political and civil life of the country--he does not believe that the time has come for granting them suffrage.
Mussolini holds under advisement a scheme giving facilities to Italian emigrants whereby they may participate in the political elections of the homeland.