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Italy Then and Now 1921-1923

Although a great deal has been written regarding the extraordinary conditions that have prevailed in Italy during the past few years, the following remarks by one who has lived in this country all through her most troubled period, (and who incidentally heartily disagrees with the sensational reports that are often cabled round the world), may not be without interest for readers of "The Spike."

Apart altogether from political considerations, the change which has taken place in the every-day life of Italy in two short years is so striking as to be almost unbelievable.

New Zealanders who made a trip here in 1921 may have heard shooting in the streets every now and then (when revolutionary bands came into conflict with patrols of those fine military police, the Carabinieri), and certainly found strikes in all directions and the public services generally disorganised.

Strings of figures to illustrate conditions prevailing might prove tedious, but I cannot resist mentioning the three million daily loss (roughly £30,000) at which the State railways arrived, and the £1,300,000 paid by the State in one year in indemnities for thefts from the railways. Organised attacks on freight trains became the order of both day and night.

The average resident here came to look upon it all as almost a matter of course, but in my opinion, the disorganisation and lack of discipline did not constitute the most serious aspect of the upheaval through which the country was passing. Italians are by nature genial and polite, and what impressed the writer most of all was the changed temperament one noticed in every direction. Arrogance followed on the general disorder and ended by seeming to destroy even the sense of patriotism on the part of large masses of the people.

There was a period when citizens hardly dared to display the national flag on the nation's greatest "Festa" days and the "Caccia agli ufficiali," or hunting of officers in uniform, an almost incredible proceeding, indicates to what a state the country was reduced.

I have referred particularly to occurrences here in Milan, but conditions were similar throughout the whole of Italy and even worse in some districts. Many innovations were tried during that period and some of these led to the most curious results. The socialist municipality of Milan, for instance, had such liberal ideas as to salaries that a street-sweeper was at one time earning more than a professor in the State colleges.

Turning from "then" to "now," one finds the whole aspect and temper of Italy so changed as to render the near past almost unreal. There now prevails a universal sense of security and contentment, and good-will has been restored. Prosperity is the result and the whole country is at work. Most striking is the fact that amongst keen supporters of the present and changed regime are to be found very large numbers of those who, only fifteen months ago were clamouring for a revolution. Nor is this attitude one of mere convenience on their part as they give daily proof of their convictions.

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The Italians are now a united people as never before in all their history and this fact is realised by them. Nor could the New Year have opened more auspiciously for Italy than with the signing in Rome of the "Pact of Friendship" with Jugo-Slavia, embodying the solution (reached directly between the two countries) of the Fiume difficulty.

All the world knows to whom is due the change between Italy of 1921 and Italy of to-day—to the Fascisti. But not all realise what sacrifice and self-abnegation was demanded from and freely given by the Fascisti in defence of their ideal. As conditions were, any remedy to be effective had to be severe, and surely a most remarkable cure has been attained. Mussolini and Fascism have their well merited reward in the happiness and prosperity they have brought to their country. No one who has at heart the good of Italy need fear anything from the Fascisti nor, I venture to assert, will anyone who is in possession of all the facts be disposed to find fault with Fascism, its method or its attainments.

George S. Prouse.

Milan, January, 1924.