Back to the Ranks!

Almost any morning even highest officials of the Fascist Party and the Italian Government may read in the papers that Il Duce thinks they should "return to the ranks." Each man named then obediently writes in longhand some such letter as was penned little over a year ago by Augusto Turati, then Secretary-General of the Fascist Party (TIME, Oct 6, 1930):

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. . . I must repeat that wish. . . . Duce, permit therefore that I return into the ranks . . . with the proud consciousness of having served you. . . .

Writers of such letters soon receive a note couched in stiffest, most formal Italian, such as Il Duce wrote to Humble Servant Turati:

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. . . .

Last week all but two members of the present Italian Cabinet read in the papers that their period of uninterrupted fecund activity is about over, prepared to write and receive the usual letters. According to "unofficial" announcements in the Italian press (which were passed by the official censor) II Duce plans to reorganize his Cabinet early next month, dropping everyone except "The Twins."

Twins Dino Grandi and Italo Balbo are no relation to each other but look almost exactly alike, cut their beards identically, wear exactly the same model of starched collar. Every North American knows Foreign Minister Dino Grandi since he called on President Hoover (TIME, Nov. 16, et seq.) Every South American knows Air Minister General Italo Balbo since he led eleven Savoia-Marchetti seaplanes on a flight across the Atlantic from Italy to Brazil (TIME, Jan. 19. 1931).

Last week Twin Balbo was working on plans to lead an Italian air armada of 24 seaplanes from Rome to Manhattan and then on around the world during 1932. Twin Dino kept his Foreign Office staff up nights last week, drafting proposals which he will take to the League's World Disarmament Conference as head of the Italian delegation.

Premier Benito Mussolini will not drop from his Cabinet Minister of Interior Benito Mussolini. He will drop, according to the announcement last week: Finance Minister Antonio Mosconi; Minister of Justice Alfredo Rocco; Minister of War General Pietro Gazzera; Naval Minister Rear-Admiral Giuseppe Sirianni; Minister of Colonies Emilio de Bono; and even Minister of Communications Count Costanzo Ciano, whose son Galeazzo is the husband of Signor Mussolini's eldest daughter Edda.

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