Attention to Jews

Between Italian Fascism and its German imitation, one of the marked differences has been the Italians' unconcern about Jews. A small but ominous clap of anti-Semitic thunder rang out in Italy last week. Writing in II Duce's Milan newspaper Popolo d'ltalia Editorial Writer Oreste Gregorio declared: ''[Jews in Italy] must either publicly declare themselves enemies--we mean enemies--of all anti-Fascist Hebrewism ... or renounce their Italian citizenship and residence. . . . They' must abandon any participation in the Zionist movement for a national Jewish home in Palestine ... which would tend to create in the Mediterranean another zone of expansion under British political and economic control, definitely contrary to the Italian Mediterranean spirit."

The article then became fully explanatory: "[Opposition to Nazi anti-Semitism] is irreconcilable with the friendship that binds us to Germany." It looked as though Mussolini and Hitler, having promised to pool their common problems (TIME, May 17), had come to a gentleman's agreement whereby Mussolini would now give open support to Hitler's Jew-baiting.

Another thunder-clap followed next day. Roberto Farinacci, editor of Cremona's Regime Fascista aimed at one particular Jew, Baron Maurice de Rothschild, French member of the famed banking family. Boomed Farinacci: "Rothschild offered plenty of help to that brigand Haile Selassie. ... He finances all anti-Fascist movements and now prefers to live and amuse himself in Florence."

These incidents created so much stir in the world's press that II Duce promptly denied he was officially responsible. Declared a Government mouthpiece: "The Jewish problem is non-existent in Italy. The articles which have appeared in the newspapers are the personal opinions of their editors."

Farinacci's contribution was specially significant, for this "Overlord of the North" has long been entrusted to speak II Duce's mind. It was he who laid down the minimum terms for solving the Ethopian dispute, terms which led to the still born Hoare-Laval scheme (TIME, Dec. 23, 1935). It was he who last year reviled British Fascist Sir Oswald Mosley for knuckling under to the police. It was he who roared loudest against the Coronation of King George and said of those Italians who wanted to go to London to see it: "We shall do everything in our power to know their names and publish them, placing a suitable remark under each."

Roberto Farinacci, 44, was one of the first to rally to Mussolini when the Fas cist! were formed, was rewarded by being made Party Secretary in 1925 but mysteriously lost his job next year. Farinacci joined up during the Ethiopian War, fought courageously, lost his right hand when a hand-grenade he was carrying exploded. He has had no official status for eleven years, but lately Rome has under stood he was due for important recognition.

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