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Fag. , ' The Italian internal situation was summarized recently as fol- lows: General apathy and indif- ference, absence of enthusiasm for the war, disappearance of every fascist myth-either na- tionalistic, imperialistic or cor- porate, gradual loosening of the fascist political machine which is being replaced by a. still small but already tight nazi organiza- tion. Discontent is unanimous and deep but there are no signs yet that it may soon be trans- formed into active opposition. 'Even among the young people, who have been brought up in a fascist 'atmosphere" there is no trace of enhtusiasm for the war'. Everyone is convinced by now that war has been started by the Axis with the only purpose of serving German interests and that a German victory would constitute the most serious threat to Italian independence. People say: "Italians fought three wars tor national independence, now we are fighting the fourth for national dependence." MUSSOLINI, THE STRATEGIST The Italian aspect of the war is considered to be Mussolini's personal affair, wanted and di- rected by him. The general be- lief is that when the possibilit: of Italy's intervention Was dis cussed, all the chiefs of the arm ed forces expressed seriou doubts of 1taly's ability to can; out a successful campaign. The: knew that -the genenaLmobiliza tion of September '39 had been , failure and that stocks of wa' material had been emptied to: the Ethiopian and Spanish ad ventures. The Duce decided or intervention because he was con Vinced that the war would ly over itt a few days and he want. ed to claim part of the booty a' the peace conference. Thousand: of men perished in the Alps tak ing part in a badly prepared of fensive which gave no fruits whatsovere except for the un- abridgeable phasm it . created then between the French and the Italian nations. The military chiefs, including' Teruzzi but excepting the Duke of Aosta who refused to express his opinion, agreed that East Africa could not be held in case of warfIt was Mussolini again who was convinced that the Brit- ish would not fight in Africa and that the occupation of Egypt would Open easy communications between Italy and Ethiopia. The direction of the first battle of North Africa is attributed to Mussolini who is accused by the Italian military circles of having ordered the troops to remain in the field, even when it was evi- dent that only a withdrawal could prevent their encirclement and their capitulation. is open. There is considerable, friction between the Farinaccii group and other elements/in the fascist party. It is said that the Secret Police (the institution in the State on which Mussolini's control is most absolute and on Which Mussolini's power greatly _depeddss) went so far that last The two chiefs of Staff, Bado- glio and Cavagnari, opposed the 'dreek'adventure, wanted by the trio Ciano-Cavallero-Jacomoni. As no resistance was expected, the troops sent against Greece were inadequate and badly equip- ped. In March Mussolini went to Albania and directed an offens- ive'which should have been de- cisive and which on the contrary only achieved the butchery of FASCIST PARTY There is only a little circle of fascists who sympathize with the Nazis. Farinacci, its leader, 'is now a permanent resident in Rome and is able to exercise a greater influence over the Party and the administration than when he was kept by Starace in the proirinces and had to be sat- istietl with the position of boss of Cremona. It is no secret that he is working hard to ensure the duceship in case the succession sei/eral regiments Italian Weekly Newspaper Published every Saturday of the year by t _ "La Vittoria" Publishing Company 926 Avenue Road - Toronto. Ont. - Phone MO. 5170 Rev. A. BERSANI, Managing Editor Tearly Subscription-r/Ngo Single copy-G cents, ' Advertising rates on application The human Internal Situuiian General Discontent and Opposition Our English (Section i/TTTORIA (THE VICTORY) The "moderates" (as they call themselves) are one important group which today is feeling ex- tremely confused and helpless. Belonging to the pre-fascist rul- ing classes they cannot be said to possess a 100 per cent fascist mentality, but they put their technical ability to the service of the regime. Although mostly spineless there is little doubt that, numerous as they were in the public administrations and in the economic organizations, they exercised at times a restraining influence through their inability, or maybe unwillingness, to carry out completely the will of the small fascist oligarchy which seized power in the nation. They are the people who used to make a distinction between fascism and Mussolini, who found in the corporate State and in national prestige an alibi for their con- science, who talked of normal- ization, sometimes of the liberal- ization of fascism. They are the people who professed in private conversations horror for the ex- tremists and who put their hopes on the Crown Prince, on the Duke of Aosta, on Grandi, on Badoglio. But the Crown Prince means nothing in Italy, Aosta, 'hrough whom they hoped it vould be possible to reach a *ompromise with the Allies, is 'ead, Badoglio is interned and irandi seems to be out of circu- lation. summer Farinaeei was refused the passport he needed for an- other trip to Germany. PHE PEOPLE 1ND THE ALLIES There is hardly any hatred in italy against the English or the Prench. The prisoners are treat- ed as well as can be under the tireumstanees and are respected w the populace. The news that italian war prisoners and Ital- 'an civilians interned in East africa are well treated by the 3ritish authorities and have been nrotected against enraged native population has greatly contribut- ed in developing a feeling of sym- pathy'for the English. According to the development of events the Italian people hope for an Allied victory or fear a, nazi one. It is in general believed that the defeat of the Axis will not bring any loss of territory to Italy and that Italy may even receive back her colonial possess- ions or be granted by the United Nations other territories which could satisfy the economic and demographic needs of the coun- try. The intervention of the United States in a moment when the British were being successful in Libya had aroused hopes for a quick solution of the war. But the Allied defeats in the Far United States Senator James M. Mead, of New York, rose on the floor of the Congressional Chamber and asked for .unani- mous consent to have inserted in the "Record" his remarks con- taining references to resolutions pledging loyalty on the part of Americans of Italian extraction. The following is his/complete text as it is printed in the Con- gressional Record, in the issue of March 27, onpage 3130: RESOLUTION OF LOYALTY Immediately after the dastard- ly attack upon Pearl Harbor numerous resolutions were adopt- ed by fraternal and labor organ- izations whose membership is composed of Americans of Ital- ian origin. These resolutions are splendid manifestations of the patriotism loyalty, and whole- hearted support of such organ- izations. as well as its members, to the President and the Gov- ernment of the United States. I wish to take this opportunity of summarizing a few of the The loyalty of Americans Of Italian Origin East have caused a new wave of depression. One remarkable fact is Italians hardly ever mention the Japanese victories in their conversations. One would say that they are ashamed of being in the eyes of the world partners of the Mikado's military gamg. Many believe that workmen may constitute a centre of re- sistance and of revolt, as they are already organized in the syn- dicates. In effect there have been cases of strikes during the last summer and those who came back from Germany at the end of the year brought with them a definite anti-nazi spirit. But cohesion is still lacking. The workmen of Turin and the labor- ers of Sicily are on the whole in favor of a political change. The same cannot be said of the work- ers of Milan who for some ob- scure reason seem to be adjust- ed to existing conditions, and of many of the "mezzadri" of cen- tral Italy. Talks about a landing by Brit- ish troops are current in the Peninsula and even more so in Sicily. It is probable that if such a landing were to take place it would get neither active opposi- tion nor active support from the people. They would sit back and see how the fight between the Allies and the German troops stationed in the country would THE REGIME CARRIES ON Many factors keep the regime going. First of all there are in Italy as elsewhere institutions which fulfill their functions what- ever the private opinions of the people concerned. Secondly the few rulers constitute an organ- ized group while the many dis- contents are individuals devoid of any possibility as yet of getting together and transforming their individual resentments into col- lective actions. It is the job of the police to see that individuals do not become a group-and the OVRA, effectively helped now by a number of Gestapo agents, does its work as well as ever. Thirdly most of those who oc- cupy key positions, political, mili- tary or economic, however great their desire for a change, fear that same change and feel that if they do not hang together with Mussolini they risk being hanged separately, or at least losing their positions. Fourthly, there is a genuine fear that a further weakening of Italy's po- litical structure would simply precipitate the annexation of Italy by Germany. There is no confidence yet that the Allied troops would be able to push the Germans north of the Alps. And, besides, German penetration probably already deprives Ital- ians of any freedom of action. very many resolutions which have been brought to my atten- tion in these last few weeks, which I believe are of note to the members of this body. In addition, all the other Italian-American newspapers are conducting an extensive cam- paign for the purchase of mil- lions of dollars worth of addi- tional bonds by the various Italian-American organizations throughout the United States. On February 8 of this year the newspaper n Progress" Italo. Americana already published the In a letter to President Roose- velt all of the executives, editors, administrative staff, and employ- ees of the newspaper 11 Pro- gresso Italo-Americana, and Cor.. riere d'America, edited by Gen- eroso Pope, reaffirmed their loy- alty and pledged their fortunes and lives to preserve and secure the United States. By the volun- tary pay-roll allotment plan Mr. Pope's industrial and journalistic enterprises have already pur- chased $50,000 worth of Defense Bonds. ' 81t Among the first, the orders, Sons of Italy, through its su- preme council meeting in extra- ordinary session in the city of Philadelphia, cradle of the Amer- ican liberty, recommended that each of its member lodges sub- scribe and pledge its available funds for the ultimate purchase of $10,000,000 worth of Defense Bonds. names of those social groups and clubs _ and industrial organiza- tions, whose membership is pom- posed of Americans of Italian origin,, which had purchased a total of approximately one-half million dollars' worth of Defense Bonds. This drive is still being conducted, and everywhere Americans of Italian extraction are unse1fishly responding. The spirit of loyalty of these people to the President and Gov- ernment of the United-States is proven beyond doubt in the fol- lowing excerpts from some of the many resolutions adopted by their clubs ind organizations: The Alliance 'Clubs of North], America at a regular meeting tf,'; the executive committee resolved that its 30,000 members "strong- ly stand ever readydor'duty and call," Figli d'Italia, Santa Bar- bara, Calif., resolved, "We swear to offer ourselves, our organiza- tion, and _ our' resources to the national defetiie." Italian Phar- maceutical Association of _ the State of New York resolved, "We have [deemed V also l to individually and collectively,."-g"ive bur, entire regot'urcetCtutd our entire energies to, bring about a quick and glori- ous victory to'our Nation," Ital- ian Union, Inc., resolved, "We place everything that we%ave at your 'disposal." Local 48, 'Italiam Cloak, Suit, Reefer, and Shirt Makers Union; with 'a member ship of 10,000/ resolved, "We Americans of Italian origin are ready to fight against anyone ot safeguard the integrity and the democracy of the United States ot t America.", Italian Barbers Association resolved to "serve America" and ",consecrate their sons" to the Nation. The Excav- ators and Building Laborers Union, Local 731, resolved to "ctr. operate with all their energies toward the national defense" and to buy the "greatest possible number" of Defense Stamps and Bonds, Logge Italo-Americane dell'Ordine Operaio Internazio- nale resolved, "In this solemn hour" to "assume every duty and meet every sacrifice for the defense" of this country. "Death to nazism and fascism. Long live the cause of democracy and independence." _ Un dispaccio della United Press annunzia che l'Italia -set5ondo le stesse afferma- zioni dell'alto Comando ita- liano---ha subito nell'Afriea del nord perdite che ascendo.. no durante lo scorso mese di marzo a 16,495 fra dispersi, m'orti g ieriti. " - Si segnala Che negli Stati Uniti d'Ameriea i prezqi dei viveri sono aumentati, dal 17 febbraio al 18 marzo ulti- mo, dell'1.5 per? cento. 'Anche nella Svizzerameu.. ttale il razionamento 'dello zaechero ha sttbitomuove re- strizioni. Ai, qionsumatori di caffe, te o eioeeolatta é con- cesso un solo pezzettino di zueehero, a, meno Che non portino seco una dose addi- zionale. " II president') Vargas del Brasile ha fiithato un decre- to col quale s) autorizza il Ministerd della Guerra ad au- mentare le forze armate bra- siliane, chiamando in _servi.. zio le riserve e permettendo l'arruolamento dei volontari. Passengers on English railways, where service has been curtailed to clear the lines for war shipments, are frequently forced to wait until long freight trains have sped past toward their destination. In the alcove picture, a cargo of tanks bound for Russia is shown speeding over the rails. Notizie breVi 18 - ttirile" 1942 British Tanks Bound for the Soviet Union ' Under the auspices of our, paper, starting today, a move-) ment is launched to create a: UNION OF ITALIAN-CAN-, ADIANS: that is to say, a move-: ment aiming at a federation of all organized forces which, though leaving to each particular group its own characteristics autonomy, will unite under the same banner all Italian-Canadian societies and other bodies for the attainment of general aims which are of interest to the commun- ity as a whole. L These aims, for the moment, are to be identified with a full, generous and efficient, collabora- tion with the people and the gov- ernment of Canada in the war effort'whose purpose is the de- featcf the dictatorships of the Axis powers. In the future, as the movement develops and ex- tends to alt sections of the Dominion, from the Atlantic to the Pacific,: they' will be ampli- _ Facaiamo assegnarhento sulla vostm collaborations: piena, sincem, cordiale ItaJiiariideliCartadal! 1lhliTY 0F ITltluriluilMIluls DlllFFOlhllDETELCrl] SoSTElNliETELOl! ABBOlNlA'rEVllll! El' questo i1 giornale della vostra fede Today the situation has radic- ally changed. The tragedy of the war has opened the eyes of many ,people, has dispersed the mists of, confusion and has brought to light certain truths which be- fore were either denied or made 'the object of derision. fied and clarified so as to em- brace the whole Italian-Canadian community. _ The idea of this UNION might have appeared utopistic up to a few years ago, when, destructive influences and factious elements were setting themselves the task of dividing our masses into an- tagonistic groups and of provok- ing differences and splits which served the purpose of those who had axes to grind. This UNION is possible today because-over and above religious and political weeds, personal views and private interests, there shines the light of an ideal pf liberty and justice which warms everyone with its regenerating tiame. In giving birth to the move- ment the Provisional Committee for the Union of Italian-Can- adians, composed of the editorial board of this paper, is of the opinion that the most significant and eloquent gesture by which the idea' of this UNION can be launched is a. unanimous a'ffirrtw ative vote in the plebiscite to be held on April 27th, 1942. To that end it directs to the Italian- Canadians the following appeal: 'In the past many among you lent a willing ear to the policies of fascism which, by presenting itself in disguise, was able to in.. fiict a, severe blow upon the forces of liberty and progress throughout the world. "To the destruction of demo- cratic guarantees, to the martyr- dom of the best sons of the Italian people who looked for- ward to a future of redemption and well-being for all the sane forces of the nation, fascism has added its participation in the war at the side of Hitler, 'Tn so doing the government of Mussolini has encouraged and rendered possible the destruction of the freedom of the peoles of Europe by the armed forces of Hitler. Not only that; by its servile attitude in its relations with barborous Naziism it has delivered into the hands of war- mad pan-Germanism the most sacred rights of the Italian na- tion and has endangered the autonomy and independence of Italy. "That is why, conscious of the very grave responsibilities of the hour, we are appealing to you to unite with the Canadian people for a, total war against the' evil minorities which hold the world under the constant threat of misery, war and oppression. "By vindicating, as already many Italian-Canadians have done, the honor and the risk of fighting in the front line, thereby giving evidence of sacrifice and of courage, we are saving the honor and the tradition of the Italian people." "And that is why we invite you to proclaim your will to march shoulder to shoulder with the Canadian people by voting YES in the plebiscite which will take place on the 27th day of April. V "We can and must accomplish this act of human and brotherly solidarity, our head high and free from false blush-es, without concealing our principles or re- nouncing any of our sympathies for our land of origin. _ Anno I N. I. 8uuit',t