ITALY: New No. 2 Man

• Share

As Duce ("Leader") of the Fascist Party, Benito Mussolini ripped open in his office one morning last week a letter from the next-most-important man in Italy, the secretary general of the one-&-only Party. Text:

Duce:

A year and a half ago I begged you to let me return to the ranks without asking position or pension. You responded with an order to remain. I obeyed then, as was my duty. But today, at the beginning of the ninth Fascist year, I must repeat that wish. Almost five years of direction of the party are long and exhausting for whoever wishes with all his heart to work in the rhythm that you have impressed on Italian life.

Duce, permit therefore that I return into the ranks to be alone a little with myself and with the proud consciousness of having served you and the cause of the revolution well.

Devotedly, Augusto Turati.

Replying to "Devoted Augusto" the quill pen of august Benito traced in stiffest. most formal Italian:

Signor:

I recognize that after nearly five years of uninterrupted, fecund activity you have almost the right to ask a change in order to re-enter the ranks of the Black Shirts. It is not without regret, however, that I fulfill your desires.

You have directed the party, that is to say, the backbone of the regime, during a period rich with memorable events. What you have accomplished is in the Black Shirt spirit and this will be recognized and developed by me on Oct. 8 at Vidoni Palace in the act of handing over the charge.

In this moment, Fascisti of all Italy, salute with me the comrade, Augusto Turati, and confirm this, that he is well merited of the cause of Fascist revolution.

Benito Mussolini

The date Oct. 8 will bring to secretary generalship of the Fascist Party whom? Though Il Duce's letter did not touch upon this point the Prime Minister soon pronounced Italy's new next-to-most-important name: