New-York tribune., 1922-11-12

Thus there comes into weiI.rigf unlfni-
tied power, providing the next elections com
firm the wish and demands OF the Fagcisti,
new order for Italy, with leader of unique
and unusual department. Bcnito Mussolinf,
thirty-sx years old and by far the youngest
Premier Italy has ever had, an ex-Socialst
editor and agitator and now thoroughgoing
dictator as appearances would seem to point
Ss hardly the type enc would expect to repre-
sent the Conservative or right wing of gov
ernment, which undoubtedly Is the trend OF
Italian public sentiment at present.
The SON Of blacksmith, Mussoiini has
had varied career. He speaks French,
German and English and has travelled
throughout Europe, formerly carrying on an
active Socialistic propaganda. He was ex-
PEELED from Switzerland for such teaching
and was also arrested By the Austrians az
Trent in Austria Hungary for carrying on
the Irredentis propaganda among the italian
population. He then returned to Central
Italy, where he founded the Socialistic news.
paper entitled "Class Warfare" When Italy
declared war on Turkey Professor Mussoiini
headed strike, was arrested, and while sn
prison wrote book on John Hass.
Later as editor of "Avanti," the leading
creased from 10000 to 100000, his career
as a Socialist came to an end. The World
War changed Mussolini from q radical to a
fervid Fascist. He was expelled from the
Socialist party for his attitude relative 70
intervention and hs founded the "Popolo
d'Italia," the Fascist organ, and later, whom
Bolshevism and Communistic menace threat
ened Italy, Mussolini organized the Fascist
as its deadly opponent.
The task confronting him In the new ITALY
involves subtle and complex elements. IL IS
easier to make revolutions than il is 70 con
struct stable governments. The acid tast Of
Fascismo is ahead, and the end is not yes
Trevelyan, the historian, said that Germany
was greater country than Itoly, but Cavour
was greater statesman than Bismarck
Bismarck's policy was TO rule by blood and
iron; Cavour by moral energy, appealing TO
the spirit Of humanity and progress In ell
peoples. Bismarck In his building struck
down his neighbors - Denmark, Austria
France. Cavour left no wounds in bringing
into being So state created not by conquest,
but by consent"
Will Mussolini follow in the train Of Ttaly's
great statesman and combine with his Carl
baldian traits the abilities of Cavour? Or
will he assume the German conquest attitude
toward Italy's neighbors, and thus open old
wounds and retard the coming of European
peace?
A great door of opportunity opens before
Mussolini. The way is fraught with dangers.
Major General James WoIfeonce sent famous
dispatch to Pitt: "There is such choice of
difficulties that ! own myself at loss how
to determine" doubt not that the new
Italian Premier, when he gets we'll involved
in Italian politics, will have q similar feeling.
Mussolini has undoubted courage, Is of high
power electrically and mentally, and is pos
sessed not only of dynamic force but Of traits
of commanding leadership. He has in his
favor the fact that Italians have always pre-
ferred to follow personalities rather than
principles and can read their history in the
brilliant lives Of Caesar, Virgil, Dante,
Mazzini, Cavour and q Garibaldi. There is
also behind this movement the best blood and
driving power OF the young and patriotic
Italy. The country as never before is con-
scious of its completeness in redeemed terri
tory. A real industrial renaissance, begun
even before the the war, is now getting under
way again, and in the words of Professor
Heron in his recent admirable book, "The
Revival of Italy,"
"ItaIy to-day teens with the voices, with
the clamors and vital forces, with the turbu-
lent overlife; indeed, Of new national spring
time"