Italy at the Polls The Italian elections, which took place
on Sunday, must be assumed to have had some mystical significance for Italians, though to the average citizen of a democratic country they savour of farce. A list of 400 candidates for the whole country, all, of course, Fascists, and selected by the Fascist Grand Council, was presented to the electorate, who had the choice between saying " Yes " and " No " to the whole list. The only possible interest in the result was in regard to the handful of electors who might have the temerity, in existing circumstances, to vote No. Actually only 15,265 voters out of over 10 millions did, and the Government finds significance in the virtual unanimity thus achieved. The new Parliament when elected will immediately vote its own decease, in order that it may be replaced by a council of corporations based on the various industries and professions. But long as these corporations have been under discussion hardly any of them have yet been created, and there is no knowing when they will be. The actual government of Italy, whatever the outward form, is not likely to be much changed while Signor Mussolini remains where he is. The critical question is whether its new structure will be of a solidity to endure when, ultimately, the controlling hand is withdrawn.
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