In 1917 Italy was on the verge of a communist revolution.
When the Russian Bolsheviks rose in October, the Communists of Italy rose with them, occupying large swathes of the country, and, after extracting concessions, when it became evident they didn't have the infrastructure to hold them permanently, they got to organising, with the open goal of "Doing as in Russia". When they did rise again in 1919 it was with the strength of millions.
At this point, Benito Mussolini had already for two years been spearheading a force of reaction against Italian Communism. He ran three newspapers funded, by the Italian MIC (artillery manufacturers mainly)which were not only insidiously anti-communist but also supported Italy's entry to the war. He was an anti-Communist anti-German pro-Entente propagandist who had the support not only of the local Bourgoise but not also the military.
To the British (and French!) secret services Mussolini was a godsend, it would have been far more shocking if he did not have their full and unwavering support.
This makes a lot of sense.
In 1917 Italy was on the verge of a communist revolution.
When the Russian Bolsheviks rose in October, the Communists of Italy rose with them, occupying large swathes of the country, and, after extracting concessions, when it became evident they didn't have the infrastructure to hold them permanently, they got to organising, with the open goal of "Doing as in Russia". When they did rise again in 1919 it was with the strength of millions.
At this point, Benito Mussolini had already for two years been spearheading a force of reaction against Italian Communism. He ran three newspapers funded, by the Italian MIC (artillery manufacturers mainly)which were not only insidiously anti-communist but also supported Italy's entry to the war. He was an anti-Communist anti-German pro-Entente propagandist who had the support not only of the local Bourgoise but not also the military.
To the British (and French!) secret services Mussolini was a godsend, it would have been far more shocking if he did not have their full and unwavering support.