Cross or Fasciol

One John Lucas, correspondent for the New York World, cabled a "scoop" last week from the town of Ventimiglia. Pounding furiously at his typewriter he wrote:

"Premier Mussolini has nipped a new conspiracy--this time a plot by Fascists to depose the King, murder General Pietro Badoglio, Chief of Staff and proclaim Mussolini Emperor. This fact, which comes exclusively to the correspondent of the World, is being kept a secret and, even to those who know of it {sic} its details are a deep mystery. . . .

"Mussolini is furious, because he realizes the success of such a plot would ruin Italy's credit abroad. . i .

"The plot was frustrated and some of the ringleaders were arrested. Police are seeking the men higher up. One of the suspects is Roberto Farinacci, former Secretary General of the Fascist Party.

"Badoglio was marked for death because his friendship for the royal family would have caused the plotters special difficulty."

Significance. This rumor sharply recalled a rift in the Fascist lute not heard of late amid the banging of the brass. The rift, a sizable cleavage, gaps between Republican and Royalist Fascists. Which, at heart, is Mussolini?

Fascismo was predominantly Republican until the march on Rome in 1922 when a compromise was engineered to bring the Royalists into camp. Mussolini, once a Republican, has scarcely shown himself a Royalist, however much he has become an Imperialist. He may logically desire a reversion to the awful Roman Republic of ancient and glorious days. In the unfolding of such a drama his first role would be Julius Caesar and his last that of the Emperor Augustus. The dream is spacious, redolent with grandeur. . . .

To return to facts,the Republican wing of Fascismo is strongly entrenched at Bologna, Ferrara and other Emilian cities. General Balbo, at present all but shelved as Under Secretary of Aviation, was once the Commander-in-Chief of the Fascist militia, and built up in that capacity a strong Republican following at Bologna. Reputedly he was shelved when he envisioned himself as the eventual successor of II Duce. Forces allied with him may have been active last week in the World's "mysterious" plot.

Per contra, the Royalists are championed by Minister of Communications Costanzo Ciano, who cried recently at Milan: "All Fascists should wear two emblems close to their hearts: the cross of the {reigning} House of Savoy, and the fascio."*

To date one of the greatest achievements of Signor Mussolini has been to retain dominance over both Royalists and Republicans. Both secretly hope that he will eventually cast his whole weight upon their side.

* Symbol of Fascismo, to be seen on the reverse of a new U. S. dime.