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Since Allied liberation in World War II, the party line in Italy has been not to make but to avoid a revolution. "One of Togliatti's duties in the period right after the war was precisely to see to it that Communists did not attempt to come to power by force, even though the moment seemed ripe for just that. The partisans were still armed; there were entire regions in a state of terror; the government was weak, and the Reds held key posts in the government and police force. But, as Togliatti explained, the Allies would have crushed any such insurrection attempt. Whenever Togliatti talks about such matters today, he invariably recalls what happened in Greece in 1944.* Togliatti is not keen on adventures."
Courteous Revolution. In case of war with Russia, the Italian Communists have plans all ready. Six, years ago, when Togliatti was shot and almost killed, the comrades momentarily showed their rough hand. They blocked 70 roads leading to Genoa, thus preventing government troops from entering the city. In Venice, they seized the radio station and broad cast false news. In an emergency, Barzini believes they could take over "all vital points"in the nation in a few hours. "In Italy, public order is maintained not so much by legal force as by the prudence of the Communists."
Meanwhile, they are biding their time "Slow penetration" is the party line. "This amounts to a silent, courteous revolution, gaining ground through good manners, a revolution carried out with the backing of the law, with no haste, moving from one election to the next, finally pre- senting the nation with a fait accompli, without provoking strong reactions, and with hardly anybody realizing what is happening."
Strengthen the Middle. What is the defense against slow penetration? Reporter Barzini has no magic formulas. He believes in reinforcing the"state authority" and in"methodic, inflexible application of the penal and civil codes, the prosecution of illegal practices, of corruption and indulgence in our public life, the moderni- zation of bureaucracy, all that reassures a confused public that there is protection under the law, that there is no need to seek protection from the Communists.
"Though the solution to the problem may be difficult, complicated and long, the government should realize that it can solve the Communist problem only by strengthening the middle class, helping it financially and morally, restoring its dignity, authority, pride and self-confidence . . . If Italians who are in a position to change our economy just wait to see how things go, how elections turn out, how others defend them from Communism, then the battle is lost."
* When Greek Communist partisans tried to seize power in Athens after the Nazi occupiers fled, they were put down by British armed intervention.