Monday, Apr. 19, 1926

"Cannot Deplore . . ."

A once tall and powerful man, reduced to a spectre by contusions in which gangrene had developed, died last week at Cannes, French Riviera. Fascist bludgeons -- semi-flexible weapons of wood fibre covered with leather and loaded with lead -- killed him, drove his wife insane. These blows were struck many months ago, at Montecatini, in Tuscany (TIME, Aug. 3, 1925). It was only last week that their full effect was felt. Never again will Deputy Giovanni Amendola, leader of the Italian "Aventine Opposition," onetime Colonial Minister under Premier Nitti, stand up to oppose Benito Mussolini. The assassins are known but protected by the last amnesty. Roberto Farinacci, who recently resigned as Secretary General of the Fascist party (TIME, April 12), stated publicly while holding that office: "I cannot deplore the attack upon Signer Amendola."