Savages vs. Legalists

Went Benito Mussolini, Premier of Italy, to visit the fair island of Sicily.

Hardly had he shaken the dust of Rome from his feet when a wordy tournament broke out between Fascisti "Savages," who think they should not he disarmed until "il duce" (the leader, Mussolini) has passed strong legislative measures to repress once and for all his enemies, and the Fascisti "Legalists," who advocate disarmament and observation of law and order.

Matters rapidly reached such a pitch that Arnaldo, Benito's brother, wrote in II Popolo d'ltalia, Benito's organ, a special article urging calm and discipline until Benito returned from his travels.

Still the quarrel went on. Deputy Farinacci, "Savage" leader, wrote in his journal Cremona Nuova: "The spectacle which Rome offers during Mussolini's absence is discouraging. Luckily 'il duce' will soon be back in Rome, and he is above all critics and super-critics ; he is above all candidates and would-be candidates for ministries and under secretaryships."

Deputy Massimo Rocca countered Farinacci's cutting insinuations by publishing many articles in many papers, attacking the "Savages" and Finance Minister Signor de Stefani for having granted oil leases to a group headed by the American, Harry F. Sinclair.

II Popolo d'ltalia again called upon the Fascisti to keep the peace and even rebuked them: "But we also must address a stern word to those who wish to continue the lawless days of Fascista punitive expeditions. They are led astray by their romantic souls, while the 'Legalists' are obviously tired of being Fascisti. "Criticisms made just for the pleasure of criticising are work for fools. Fascismo which does not create instead of talking is not Fascismo, just as we cannot consider as Fascisti some of the men whom recent political events have brought into the limelight. "We are not among those who say upon all occasions: 'Keep silent and obey;' but we do believe that discussions at the present time are most in opportune." Eventually Benito came hurrying home to slap the hands of the naughty and insist upon discipline, quiet and obedience within the Fascista Party. Deputy Rocca, close friend of Benito and one of the 52 founders of the Party in 1919, dared to answer Benito back. Benito expelled him from the party, stating that his attacks upon Signor de Stefani could only be termed "libelous manifestations of political disloyalty which can only be explained by sup posing that he is the irreconcilable adversary of Fascismo."