GBS and Mussolini, 1927

Abstract

From Beatrice Webb‘s Diaries, 1924–1932, ed. Margaret Cole (London, New York, Toronto: Longmans, Green, 1956) pp. 154–5. Benito Mussolini (1883–1945) began his political career as a trade union advocate and journalist, contributing to various socialist papers. His support of Italian participation in the First World War led to his expulsion from the Socialist Party and his leadership of the Fascists, who seized power by a coup d’etat in 1922. Like many other public figures in Britain, Europe and the United States, Shaw was impressed by Mussolini’s success in achieving stable government in Italy in the 1920s and in bringing about various social and economic reforms. He also chose to ignore, or at least seriously underestimate, the ruthlessly repressive character of Mussolini’s regime. On 24 January 1927 the Daily News published a sympathetic letter by Shaw on Mussolini which a sub-editor had headed ‘A Defence’. This drew attacks from many socialists and Italians in exile, including Dr Friedrich Adler, leader of the Austrian Labour Party and Secretary of the Labour and Socialist International. The Daily News published an extensive correspondence on the subject between Shaw and Adler on 13 October 1927. In August 1927 the Shaws were holidaying at the luxurious Regina Palace at Stresa.