Duce’s nemesis says –
‘One jackal gone to pitiful end’
Violinist Spalding reveals spy work
WASHINGTON (UP) – Violinist Albert Spalding, revealed today as the Allies’ contact man with the Italian Partisans, said he was glad the Partisans killed Mussolini.
“There’s one jackal that is gone,” the Chicago-born musician commented. “A pitiful end to a miserable career.”
Mr. Spalding returned here several months ago after directing Partisan activities in Italy as spokesman for the Allied High Command.
Until now, however, he refrained from revealing his work which the Office of War Information hails as a propaganda job “unbeaten by any individual in any theater.”
Mr. Spalding missed the incident in which the Partisans shot Mussolini and symbolized an end to Italian tyranny, but he was not surprised it happened.
“I’ve heard them say they’d like that opportunity many, many times,” he said.
Bases hope on Partisans
Mr. Spalding bases his hope for a democratic Italy on the Partisans, whom he considers “the true emblem of a nationalist movement and the real symbol of unity for the Italian people.”
“They come from the homes of the humble instead of the seats of the mighty,” Mr. Spalding said.
He predicted that they would seek political expression in an effort not to return to the rule that suffocated them.
“I look to them for the rejuvenation of Italy,” he said.
Garibaldi recalled
If some wear red shirts, he added, they are not flaunting an allegiance to Communism, but are harking back to the era of Italy’s own short-lived republic of 1849 – and Garibaldi.
They’ve worked heroically at breaking enemy communications, removing and replanting enemy mines and piloting Allied forces through mined territory, Mr. Spalding said.
Mr. Spalding left his violin at home while he was on his eight-month mission in Italy.
“You know, music is a pretty absorbing job,” he explained.