Weathering a Storm

Storm clouds cannot last forever. Sooner or later, having discharged their thunder, they must disappear. The past week saw the beginning of the dissipation of the black Matteotti storm which has convulsed Italy with conflicting emotions for a month (TIME, June 23 et seq.).

Premier Benito rearranged his Cabinet and appointed 14 new Under Secretaries of State, most of whom belong to the Fascist Party. The shuffle suited the majority of the people, but the Opposition professed disappointment, declared that it preferred to see how the Government honors its pledge to rule constitutionally before participating in Parliamentary work.

Such an attitude on the part of the Opposition amounts to nothing more than a beau geste; for Benito had declared that he would not ask Parliament to reassemble before the Winter, by which time he undoubtedly hopes that the Opposition will have curbed its antagonism.

The situation, although hopeful, is for the time being grave. The Communists, who are perhaps unimportant, continue to bring scurrilous accusations in connection with the Matteotti murder against the Government and to incite the workers to armed revolt. The Opposition, on the other hand, realizes that it could not hold power even if it ousted Benito and is accordingly following a policy of obstruction, designed to prepare the way for its advent to power. Much confidence can be placed in Benito's ability to maintain strict discipline in the Fascist ranks and in his determination to see justice done in the Matteotti case. It therefore appears likely that Benito's political life has some time to run.