Fascists Freed

Some weeks ago (TIME, Oct. 19) it was announced that three of the most notable Fascists implicated in the atrocious murder of the Socialist Deputy, Giacomo Matteotti (TIME, June 23, 1924), were about to be released from prison without trial, upon a motion from the Prosecution, which now considers them guiltless.

Last week the Court of Public Prosecutions took the final step which liberated these men, all of whom are intimates of Premier Mussolini. Forth from 18 months of imprisonment came Giuseppe Marinelli, onetime Treasurer of the Fascist Party, and was at once appointed its General Inspector of Administration. He and his co-prisoners, Cesare Rossi and Filippo Filippelli, were lauded by the Fascist press as "heroes," and their release was touted as "a great victory for truth."

Since practically all Opposition papers in Italy have been suppressed, there were few pro-Matteotti articles to be blue-penciled by Fascist censors.

The interminable preparations for the trial itself continue. It is now expected that the five men still implicated by the Prosecution will not actually be tried until early spring. Since the Prosecution now declares that a sixth and missing man committed the actual murder, it would appear that the prospects for long life of those still accused grow hourly brighter.