ITALY: Vengeance

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At the same time, the Fascist organizations were incensed at the bloody murder of their comrade, and roundly excoriated the Opposition for instigating the crime. The Opposition retorted that the Fascisti themselves had caused the murder by their violent methods. The bulk of the press, however, voiced a strong plea for an end of internecine party strife and a strong desire for a return to internal peace. The Giornale d'ltalia took a non-partisan viewpoint of affairs:

"The murder of Deputy Matteotti had this untoward consequence, that it exasperated the passions of both sides till the country now lives in an atmosphere which is almost unbreathable, so red hot and full of poisons is it. The Italian people ardently wish peace and tranquility and insistently call upon every one to disarm, both materially and spiritually. But nobody disarms. The Opposition continues to deal blows, hoping to precipitate events; Fascism continues to believe that it must defend its position and its power, like a conquered trench.

From Milan, Benito's paper, Il Popolo d'ltalia,, said:

"Though our indignation is profound and overwhelming, and though we dis- dain to stoop to reprisals and revenge, we cannot but shout our denunciation of the instigators of this atrocious murder, and especially of the Opposition press. It is three months that Fascism and its chief leaders are victims of a relentless daily campaign of insidious, vindictive, provocative, insincere attacks and insinuations. Our sense of discipline and our convictions lead us to endorse the appeal of the Directorate of the Fascist Party against reprisals, but we feel that it is not sufficient. The public opinion is most disturbed and demands reparation. It insists that our rulers take a series of steps which shall break this chain of revolting murders. Public life must not degenerate into a brawl."