" Comic Opera "

ITALY

"Comic Opera"

The suspension by the Fascisti of the Communist journal Il Lavoratore caused some caustic comment in the Chamber of Deputies.

Signer Bombacci, Communist deputy of Trieste, wanted to know why the paper in question was suppressed and also if Italian Communists were to be deprived of their citizenship rights.

Signer Giunta, Fascist deputy of Trieste, took it upon himself to answer. He pointed out that when Trieste was expressing its devotion to its flag, King and people, Communists presented themselves fully armed before the Fascisti barracks. Five unarmed Fascisti routed them; but in their flight they came upon a Fascist washing himself in a fountain. They " killed him like a dog." " The next morning," continued Guinta, " your Communist newspaper, Il Lavoratore, dared to approve this revolting action as if it had been meritorious. Do not complain, Deputy Bombacci, if your newspaper was suspended. The next time we will suppress it altogether!"

Bombacci: "What do you mean by we will suppress it? Are you speaking in the name of the government?"

Guinta: "I am speaking for myself. We cannot allow Communist papers to carry on criminal propaganda. . . . You, Deputy Bombacci, asked whether you still enjoyed the rights of Italian citizenship. We reply that you do not, because all your actions prove you to be unworthy of that honor."

Bitter words from Communists and Socialists all speaking at once. Then peace.

Guinta: "What would deputy Bombacci say if I went to Moscow and published a Fascist newspaper there"? Would I have any rights of citizenship? Would the law protect me?"

Angry antics from the Reds. Bombacci speechless with rage; waves arms, ruffles hair, pulls beard. Silence. Bombacci recovers power of speech: " You stand for barbarism, not civilization. You could not publish a Fascist newspaper in Moscow because there is a law against it - You Fascisti are guilty of having made a comic opera of revolution."

"Buffoon! "and " Do not provoke us! " from the Fascisti.

"We do not care. We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for our cause! " from Bombacci.

The entire Chamber (not excepting Bombacci's friends) broke into uncontrollable laughter at this point; for Bombacci some months before had hidden in the coal cellar of a Bologna restaurant wearing a chef's cap, to escape the clutches of Fascismo. The episode ended here.