3IO THE RISE OF ITALIAN FASCISM
2Qth ; while Bianchi, Balbo and De Bono wanted a Musso-
lini government.1 It so happened that the four members
of the Quadrumvirate represented severally the forces which
had contributed most to the growth of fascism. The pre-
war c interventionist' syndicalists, the remains, now older
and wiser, of the Fasti d'azione rivoluzionaria were represented
by Michele Bianchi, party secretary and politically the
closest to Mussolini ; the old conservative and monarchist
classes by De Vecchi, himself a great landowner ; the new
elements, ex-servicemen, the natural products of the war,
by the squadrista, Italo Balbo ; the regular army, represent-
ing virtually the tolerance and complicity of the state, by
General Emilio De Bono. But as Mussolini was not there
to hold together the divergent tendencies, its unity was
impaired and the importance of its role diminished.
De Vecchi finally appeared in Perugia on the morning
of the 2 8th, only to leave almost at once.2 Italo Balbo
describes how the Quadrumvirs used on the 28th the full
powers with which they had been invested :
* De Vecchi described the situation in the capital. It
is still uncertain and chaotic. Some say that martial law
has been declared, others contradict it. Such information
as he was able to get before leaving for Perugia confirms
it. ... De Vecchi went straight back to Rome. From
this moment we in Perugia are in utter ignorance of the
government's intentions. The news which arrives from
time to time is mostly bad. The government is apparently
making intensive preparations against us. We are badly
in need of reliable information. At any moment we may
find ourselves quite out of touch. Our plan of action is
also dependent on the government's attitude and the
measures it takes. . . . There is a good deal of appre-
hension at headquarters. We know that even the day
before the fascist leaders had not made up their minds
to act. Some thought it too soon, others would have
preferred a parliamentary solution. The rumours that
continue to arrive in Perugia, becoming more definite
1 At the last minute the Quadrumvirate had co-opted, as their chief of
staff, Grandi, who favoured compromise.
2 p. 294-