Benito a Myth?

As the Chamber reassembled following the Christmas recess, a little knot of deputies, extremely ill at ease, was observed among the superconfident Fascists who make up Premier Mussolini's overwhelming majority.

The frightened little group was the so-called "Aventine Opposition," which absented itself from the Chamber (TIME, July 7, 1924, et seq.) as a protest against the atrocious murder of the millionaire Socialist Deputy Matteotti (TIME, June 23, 1924, et seq.).

Last week the Aventines apparently thought that the time had come again to participate in the debates of the Chamber, albeit the immense Fascist majority would continue triumphant on every issue. To Mussolini it seemed that this might cause a good deal of wasted breath. Mussolini is frugal. He ascended the tribune:

"I intend that the moral slur cast in the direction of Fascismo by the Aventine deputies shall be discussed immediately. Since our present session has been dedicated to a memorial service to Queen Margherita, I move that a special sitting to discuss the Aventine situation be convoked tomorrow."

Amid an awful silence, the Fascist majority instantly passed the Premier's motion. The more circumspect Aventines, realizing what was going to follow in a moment, bolted from the Chamber. Those who did not immediately flee, were assaulted by the Fascist deputies, as soon as they finished voting. Many a lock of hair was literally torn from Aventine heads. Many a Fascist boot literally propelled Aventines through the wide portals of the Chamber and down the stairs.

Next day Il Benito ascended the tribune again: "The Aventine Opposition has dared to refer to Fascismo as a myth. They have dared to call me Mitra, after the Persian god of light, who is usually represented as seated upon a bull, into which he plunges a sacrificial knife. . . . "

I refuse to be a myth! I am extremely alive, like all Fascists! "

The Aventines may re-enter the Chamber, thanks to our tolerance, only after its leaders have made three public declarations: Uno. That the Fascist Revolution has become an accomplished fact, the Fascist regime, which has so altered the Constitution of the Italian state that any preconceived opposition to Fascismo is politically useless and historically absurd. Duo. That the nefarious and scandalous campaign of the Aventines has miserably failed, because it rested upon no foundation. Tre. That the Aventine pledges itself to cease to act in concert with Anti-Fascists abroad. . . .

"Unless they accept these terms, the Aventines shall not re-enter here--either today or as long as I am in power! . . .

"For them to enter the Chamber yesterday, while we were all bowed with grief for the Queen who loved Fascismo so well, added the last touch of infamy to their brazen insults!

"Fascists! You did well upon that occasion!"