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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER, RANDOLPH, UTAH Mussolinis Meteoric Career Recalled as He Makes Exit Little Chap Won His Bet With Both Thumbs Doivn Let Us Live Like Lions -- s How Italys Master Rose to Power and Why He Collapsed By ELUOTT J. PINE On July 25, 1943, Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy for 21 years, tearfully resigned his of- fices, and turned his government over to King Victor Emmanuel. The immediate reason for the dictators relinquishing of power is said to be his inability to obtain greater military aid from Germany. The Fascist council voted 19 to 7 against accepting his plan of abandoning more than half the country to the Allies, and of establishing a defense line in the north. When Mussolini realized that he could not enforce his will as he was accustomed, he stepped out, or according to other accounts, was forced out. More basic than this dispute on war plans, however, was the increasing and bitter distrust of Mussolini, and the Fascist party he headed. The Italian people, most observers say, never wished to enter World War II. Defeats, losses and hardships have turned the people of Italy away from Fascism, and revolt was brewing ever hotter. When Mussolini went, Fascism ended too. King Victor Emmanuel, who has always retained the shadow of authority, has given the official version of the i situation in this statement: His Majesty, the has accepted the resignation from the offices of chief of government, prime minister, and secretary of state, which was tendered by His tional assembly was divided into numerous bickering and factions, and the premier, signor Facta, was not a strong enough man for a crisis. The March on Rome. Assembling the Fascist militia, the partys private army, in Civitavecchia, on October 27, 1922, he began the famous March on Rome. When he approached the capital with 250,000 armed men, Premier Facta, and Marshal (then General) Badoglio begged the king, the same Victor Emmanuel, to stop the marchers with machine gun fire and the bayonets of the regular army. The king, who hated bloodshed, refused to give the order. Three days later, he acceded to Mussolinis demands, and appointed him premier. From that day onward, Mussolini has been continuously in complete control of Italy, until the other day. Ironically, he turned his power over to Victor Emmanuel and Badoglio, who might have stopped him 21 log-rolli- years earlier. As soon as Mussolini found himself firmly in the saddle, he set about making himself and his party absolute. All political parties were banned except the Fascist, and many social, cultural and religious societies were closed down under the force of these laws. Party members were placed in every position of authority in the civil and military administration. Business and professional men soon found it to their advantage to join the party, or to get on good terms with some important member. For a time, the Fascist regime appeared to be a decided benefit to Italy. Domestic order was restored, business and finance stabilized and King-Emper- Excellency, signor Benito Mussolini, and has appointed as chief of government, prime minister, and secretary of state, His Excellency, Marshal of Italy, signor Pietro Badoglio. At the time this statement was made public, it was pretended that Mussolinis ill health was the reason for his leaving office, but this rather weak excuse was soon dropped. The new .government thus established by the king and Marshal Badoglio is generally considered to signify the end of the Fascist party. The structure that held Italy tightly for two decades apparently has collapsed by the removal of one man. Actually the party has been crumbling from within for years, say in- formed correspondents. Fascism Began 24 .Tears Ago. Fascism as a name dates from March 23, 1919, when Mussolini and 145 others organized the Fasci Italiano di Combattimento meaning, Italian fighting groups." The word Fasci comes from the old Roman symbol of authority, the Fasces, a beheading ax with a bundle of scourging rods bound on the handle. It can be seen on the reverse of an American dime. During the following two years, this little party increased rapidly. While Mussolini did not actually found it, perhaps, he at least was one of its earliest and strongest leaders. He soon came out in front, a vigorous man of 38, with a compelling manner and oratorical per- suasiveness. He was bom in 1884, the son of a village blacksmith and country school teacher, in Predappio, Romagna province. When he completed grade school, he became a teacher in a neighboring village, and soon took to stump speaking for the Socialist party. His political activities brought him into several clashes with the law. He became a writer, and rose to be editor of the Socialist organ, Avanti. During World War I, he served as a corporal, and he participated in the Fiume campaign of 1919. Soon after being discharged from service he met a few kindred spirits, and began the organization of the Fas- cists. It was a time of great unrest and unemployment. Although victorious in the war, Italy had suffered heavy losses, and was oppressed by a ponderous war debt. Being a country naturally poor in resources and only slightly industrialized at the time, the post-wdepression bore down more weightily than on other nations. Many were embittered about their frustrated hopes for territorial gains through the Versailles treaty. They blamed Britain and France for ar tearing Italy out. The wealthy and conservative class feared the spread of. communism, and many churchmen added their voiees to the clamor. The na , DONT BOTHER THE PILOT A propaganda poster showing Mussolini at the controls of a big bombing plane (he is an amateur flier), warned Italians in 1939 not to disturb the pilot, especially when he is engaged in tempestuous navigation; nor ask the way at every turn. This appeal for blind and unquestioning faith in the wisdom of the leader is the keynote of Fascism, as of all dictatorships. Mussolini piloted Italy into the war, then when the navigation really got tempestuous he bailed out. encouraged, employment stimulated by public works, and a program of social benefits put into operation. The Fascist regime floated international loans, built hydroelectric plants, opened mines, drained swamps, introduced new manufactures, and in many ways brought temporary advantages and prosperity to Italy, accustomed to backwardness and poverty. But the Italians soon discovered the price of these gains was the loss of liberty. In 1925, Mussolini, or II Duce, the leader, as he liked to be called, had a law passed legalizing his position as prime minister, and rendering him responsible to no one but the king. This meant, in effect, that he could do as he pleased. During the twenties Italy shared somewhat in the prosperity of the post-wa- r world, but the great defell heavily on the nation, pression the more so because of its reliance on international trade. Its artificial prosperity began to crumble, despite tight controls, and unrest and dissatisfaction began to fester here and there, under cover. Land Hunger. - By VIRGINIA VALE Released by Western Newspaper Union. contribution to A NOVEL Hollywoods and radios Sew and headed Sew club, by Penny Singleton, whos Blondie of the air and the screen. Penny war efforts is the organized the club to perform emergency sewing jobs on servicemens uniforms, ranging from simple repairs to alterations. She has enlisted some of Hollywoods outstanding movie and radio luminaries as IN HIS SECOND TEAR of rule, members of her unique organizaal1923, Premier Mussolini was ready showing his yearning to rattle the sword. He sent such a sharp diplomatic note to Greece on the murder of members of an Italian n commission on the frontier, that world cancellories Greek-Albania- feared a war was near. Ethiopia, Mussolinis first openly imperialistic move, and a successful defiance of the League. Italian and German policies were moving closer together through similarity of interests, and Hitler and Mussolini began concluding a series of treaties and agreements that culminated in the formation of the on Axis. Both Italy and Germany sent troops into the Spanish civil war. The Italian troops showed even then their distaste for fighting, but the officers gained valuable experience with new weapons and tactics, especially airplanes and tanks. Mussolini joined in signing the Munich Agreement that was supposed to assure peace in our time as Neville Chamberlain put it. Knowing that a great war was around the comer Mussolini then turned his attention to bringing his army, navy, and especially his air force to full Rome-Berli- n Taken, he said. A wheelbarrow was borrowed. The stranger rubbed his hands, Get in, picked up the handles. old man, he said. Soothe and cool away heat rash, and help prevent it. Sprinkle with Mexsana, formerly Mexican Heat Powder. Get Mexsana. When armored knights met, it was customary for each knight to raise the visor of his helmet as a means of identification. This gesture has come down through all armies in the form of the salute. Traditional, too, is the Army mans preference for Camel cigarettes. With men in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, actual sales records in their service stores show that Camel is the favorite. Its one of the favorite gifts with service men. And though there are Post Office restrictions on packages to overseas Army men, you can still send Carpels to PENNT SINGLETON soldiers in the U. S., and to men in the Navy, Marines, and Coast tion. And anyone who encounters thousands of servicemen on leave Guard wherever they are. Adv. in a strange city will realize how valuable it is. . m Joe Howard, perhaps the oldest performer in radio, is still one of the most successful, judging by a deal that he recently completed. Joe, singing troubador of the Gay Nineover CBS Monday ties Revue, nights, sold the film rights to The Time, the strength. 'Stab in the Back.' Place and the Girl, a hit musical When France was staggering to which he wrote and produced sevdefeat in the spring of 1940, Musso- eral decades ago. m lini thought he saw the long sought for 18 Dick territorial On opportunity important Haymes made July acquisitions without much loss or his debut on the airs Heres to risk. He entered to war on the side Romance. July 19 he made screen of Germany, hoping to get a few tests. At one oclock on the 26th, French islands. President Roosevelt 20th Century-Fo- x executives lookec characterized this move as a stab at the tests and at 4:30 Haymes in the back. From then on, Italy signed a contract to make two films was in World War II. All looked a year for the next seven years. rosy as long as the German blitz- Three months ago he was singing krieg continued to smash ahead, .but with Tommy Dorseys band. in 1941 English troops defeated the Italians in two widely separated AfHollywoods oddest summer school rican campaigns, and the Italian is composed of four students Bonnavy lost heavily in several actions. ita Granville, Anne Shirley, Kent Last year Italy went on the de- "Smith and Rita Corday. They study fensive. Mussolini sent some divi- Chinese. Their teacher is Edward sions to fight against Russia, others Dmytryk; hes the director who, folto North Africa, with .the German lowing his success with Hitlers Africa corps. Both sustained de- Children, was signed to direct feat and severe losses. The Italian RKOs Behind the Rising Sun. He people began to grumble ever loud- began studying Chinese some years er against Fascism and Mussolini. ago. He pinned - medals on bereaved mothers and wives, made his faLou Crosby, radio announcer, will mous balcony speeches, and tried to make his film debut as a Nazi solwhip up morale with posters, pa- dier captured by Russian guerrillas rades of the youth organizations, and in One Hour of Glory, Casey Robevery other trick in his bag. But inson production for RKO. Announcit didnt work. er for the Lum n Abner program, Then came the North African cam- Crosby has one of radios best paign, when the Italian soldiers sur- speaking voices. rendered in large masses, plainly reThe invealing their Most radio executives think that vasion of Sicily moved so swiftly, not summer radio fare should be light only because of the weight of arma- and frothy to succeed, but the latest ments, but because of feeble re- survey figures indicate that the pubsistance at many points. Every- lic doesnt agree. Screen Guild where the people welcomed the AlCBS draMonday Players, night lied troops. matic series that stars Hollywoods When Rome was bombed, Mussonames, leads all the others in linis long hypnotic spell was broken. top listener popularity, according to If he could not even protect the Hooper and Crossley survey figures. capital, said the people, how could This is the program on which none he hope for victory? The Italians of the actors and actresses are paid; were tired of war, tired of privations the would ordinarily remoney they and restrictions. II Duce got out, ceive goes to the Screen Actors just in time, according to majority guild, to aid indigent movie people. opinion, to avert a civil war. m Betty Rhodes has begun making her second Personal Album for OWI. These albums contain recordings of songs and informal talks and are sent to Alaska, Ireland, Africa wherever American troops are stationed at a great distance from home. The singing star recently finished the feminine lead in a musical comedy called Salute for Three. er . war-wearine- ss. Meanwhile Mussolini was thinking of expanding Italy territorially. The League of Nations had prevented him from undertaking any small wars of conquest, such as were common in the 19th century. In 1923, he had a causus belli against Greece, but he did not push the issue to open war. Nothing occupied his large army excepting patrol action in North Africa. In 1933, Adolf Hitler rose to power as chancellor of Germany, as head of the National Socialists, or Nazis, a party that had much in common FASCISM ON THE RUN A photowith the Fascists of Italy. Mussoand his showing Mussolini setting the welcomed soon graph imitator, lini for his army officers during adveninternational to pace plan began maneuvers in September, 1938, Irontures. Nevertheless, a year later, when ically symbolizes the hasty exit of Hitler began to threaten Austria, II Fascism in July, 1943. This time, Duce offered to support that weak too, the running was fittingly led by state. Next year Italy declared war II Duce. Green, who was the local athletic champion, had been holding forth at great length. None of the club regulars could do anything about it. But presently one of the visitors looked up. Ill bet, he said cheerfully, $10 that I can wheel something in a wheelbarrow from one street' lamp to the next, and you cant wheel it back! Green looked him over not a very hefty sort of fellow. Whatever the stranger could do he could. m Kate Smith, in her 13th year as a radio star, has signed a new three-yecontract. Her contracts are unique in that theyre always for three years, and the options fall due at the end of each season, when the old one still has two years to run. ar Cecil Brown has no crystal halibut on May 20 the news broadcaster said The Italians might pop up with a chastened Count Ciano, or Dino or a Marshal Badoglio Grande d with courage. Just two months and five jlays early! ... new-foun- DONT LET CONSTIPATION SLOW YOU UP When bowels are sluggish and you feel irritable, headachy, do as millions do chew the modem FEEN-A-MIN- chewing-gu- m FEEN-A-MIN- T T, laxative. 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Taka care to use them only as directed. Accept no substitutes. 35 i at your drug store. Kenp the Battle Rolling Vlth War Bonds and Scrap |