Salvemini Says Overthrow of Fascism is Now Impossible---Declares Liberty Non-Existent

"It is impossible to overthrow either Italian or German fascism today," declared Gaetano Salvemini, Lauro de Basis professor of Italian civilization, in an interview with the CRIMSOM yesterday. Salvemini is to give a series of six lectures, beginning February 20 on the mediaeval Italian communes and their influence on civilization. He will also conduct a seminar on Italian history during the second half year.

"No liberty exists in fascist Italy," continued Salvemini. "Toscanini is beaten in Milan for refusing to play the fascist anthem. Ferrero, the historian, lives in exile in Geneva. And Croce is grossly insulted for uttering sentiments displeasing to the fascists while lecturing at Oxford. Today he can not write on political topics.

"I left Italy because I could not bear the Mussolini regime. Although my students were loyal to me in my history classes at the University of Florence, fascist leaders sent blackshirts into my classes to disturb them. Today, it is impossible to teach in Italy without swearing allegiance to the government.

"In present-day Italy, the schools teach that liberals like Mazzini and Cavour are fascists, just fore runners of great Musolini. Such a situation was intolerable to me. After I had spent a month in prison in 1925 for my liberal views, I decided to leave the country.

"Lauro de Basis was a convinced idealist," said Salvemini. "He sought to convince King Emmanuel to liberate Italy from Mussolini. One day in October, 1931, he flew over Rome to deluge the city with anti-fascist leaflets. After he sailed into the Roman sky that night he was never heard from again.

"Of course, my personal political views will not enter into my lectures here," concluded Salvemini. "The chair is no anti fascist gesture, but a monument to idealism."