1937-02-27 — Page 11

As

Ciano to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is interesting to inquire into what determined his choice.

Mussolini is a man who has few intimate friends, Admiral Costanzo Ciano, an outstanding Italian heró in the World War, for many years rong~ Minister of Communications and at

the young

opinion of his character and cap-

abilities.

ly out of their infancy, as far as action is more apparent than real, Ministers should rely on them this moment President of the Chaza- public life is concerned. Mussolini for nine years ago Galeazzo Ciano selves, not on their servants. is a believer in youth, for fascism

See was still unborn in a political sense. that he is hired again, immediately." them. He was one of an extremely ber of Deputies, was and is one of is essentially a youth movement. He was then only 24 and had not He holds that the enthusiasm, the long before become a secondary cog, his son-in-law

And, so saying, Mussolini sent

restricted group who were constant energy, the boldness that are

home without fur- the in the vast machine of the Italian ther ado. Later in the day Mus these visits his son Galeazzo often visitors to the Mussolini home. On heritage of youth far outweigh the diplomatic service, with no particu- solini telephoned, asking Edda to knowledge, the experience and the lar claim on the attention of the dine with him that night, and was thus had an opportunity to study cantion that come with advancing great and powerful in the govern- surprised to receive a curt refusal.

accompanied him, and Mussolini years. He does not pay mere lip ment and in the Fascist party. He He insisted, but she cut him short: service to this principle; he proves was not to occupy his first politi- "It is no use.

man and to form an his faith in it daily by entrusting cal post until fully six years later. am too busy looking for that valet.

I shall not come. the most delicate tasks in the gov But as soon as he started to climb ernment and in the Fascist party to the ladder of success his rise be this domestic episode, taking the minence in the Far East, where he

Mussolini never again mentioned

Galeazzo Ciano first came into pro- men who include youth among their came dazzling. He was chief of hint that interference in the inter- represented Italy during the height qualifications.

the government's Press Bureau in nal affairs of his daughter's house of the Sino-Japanese conflict, first The constellation of young men 1933, Under-Secretary of State for hold was not welcome; but Galeazzo as Consul-General in Shanghai and that gyrates round Mussolini has the Press and Propaganda in 1934, Ciano the next morning received a

then as Minister Plenipotentiary to recently witnessed the rise of 3 Minister for the Press and Pro- package of twelve alarm clocks of China. It is an impressive testi- new star, which

answers to the paganda in 1935 and Minister of various makes, together with a card monial of his ability that, despite name of Count Galeazzo Ciano. Foreign Affairs in 1936. Italy's 33-year-old Foreign Minis-

- on which was printed: "With the

his youth, he was entrusted, at the Observers here believe that from compliments of the Head of the

unanimous request ter, who emerged from obscurity in now on more and more responsibili- Government.”

of the other powers, with the difficult and deli- 1933, when he received his first ty will be shifted onto Galeazzo

cate task of safeguarding the in- political appointment, has broken Ciano's shoulders; that step by It would be absurd to maintain terests and prestige of the Europ- all previous Italian records for step, as his experience increases that Ciano's promotion to the Min-ean nations. He acquitted himself rapidity of advancement. Dine and his judgment ripens, he will'istry of Foreign Affairs was Grandi, Italo Balbo and Giuseppe Bottai, hitherto regarded as the in- fant prodigies of Italian politics having all held Cabinet posts in their early thirties--have found their master in this young man who recently negotiated the Anglo-Ital- ian accord on the Mediterranean.

* * *

*

# *

By Arnaldo Cortesi

well

extremely well, displaying rare tact and energy.

His most important work, how- ever, was done first as Under-Sec- retary and then as Minister for the Press and Propaganda. He not only showed his

is organising ability come to occupy an ever more pro- received by the Italians, because it whose ramifications reach all over by improvising a complex organism minent position in Italian public most decidedly was not. It life, until in time he develops into only fair to add, however, that sified branches of activity, but he is Italy, controlling many very diver- The spectacular rise of Galeazzo

Mussolini's alter ego. The transi- Ciano's popularity Ciano and the very particular pre- tion of

has grown also built and sets in motion a vast dilection that Mussolini shows for hands into his, when the right mo- that he probably will soon be firm- purposes,

power from Mussolini's rapidly in the last few months and propaganda achine fo internal him cannot wholly be accounted for

ency was, elo- by the fact that he is the husband ment arrives, should therefore take ly entrenched in the affections of quently peo

place almost automatically.

Italo- mais ef- of

the Italian people. All this, of course, is based on

Ethiopian conta the assumption that Galeazzo Ciano ple so well that he cannot but have the credit if

Since Mussolini knows his peo- forts must does not disappoint the hopes that foreseen what their reaction would the first time are reposed in him, for Mussolini is be to the elevation of such a young whole Ita a hard taskmaster.

and inexperienced man as Galeazzo him at a ces

..

of Mussolini's daughter. Musso- lini has always had a strong aver sion to favouring the members of his family. His only brother, Ar- naldo, died some years ago without ever occupying even the humblest post in the government; his wife. has never used the prestige of his For the present Mussolini has name to make a place for herself not relinquished his active direc in society and lives in almost com- tion of Italian foreign policy, plete retirement, his elder sons, though signs are to hand that he is Vittorio and Bruno, now in early delegating ever more of his autho manhood, have received no great rity to Galeazzo Ciano. The two attention" from the Italian public; at present constitute a kind of part- his relatives, scattered in various nership. Mussolini is the senior parts of the country, have received partner and dictates the neither favours nor privileges.

lines of

Police the main Ciano is Some deeper and more plausible the junior partner who works out explanation than mere family pre- the details and does the spade work ferment must be found to account Contacts are also frequent out- for the Galeazzo Ciano phenomen- side office hours, owing chiefy to on. He is so young that many years the agency of Edda, who acts as of useful work lie ahead of him; he the domestic trait d'union between has progressed so rapidly that he the two. But despite the cordial- seems to be headed straight toward ity of the family relations, Musso- yet higher things. But what high- lini does not hesitate to make Ciano er goal is there for him, unless it understand, when the occasion aris- be the huge room in the Palazzo ses, that their respective posi Venezia whose occupant is the dic- tions are those of commander-in- tator of Italy?

chief and junior lieutenant. One Mussolini is now in his fifty of the favourite stories in Rome fourth year and, though still in full shows how inextricably the busin possession of all his strength and ess and family relations are woven vigor, undoubtedly thinks often of into each other.

the day when he will be obliged to One day Mussolini asked Ciano to relinquish the reins of po

call at Villa Torlonia, the head of his unceasing quest for promising the government's private residence, political timber his eyes apparent at 7 o'clock in the morning to dis- ly fell some years ago on young cuss some important affairs Galeazzo Ciano as one whose qualit- state. Ciano turned ies and talents seemed more sus and found his father-in-law wear- ceptible of development than those ing an ominous frown. of any other possible candidate to the succession.

famous speech he delivered

of

after.

over an hour late," said Mussolini sternly. What have you to Say yourself

extremely sorry,

1927 Mussolini declared that his Ciano, but my valet

or had not yet been born. me contradication between this ly."-

discharged him

wake

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