The Washington times., 1923-01-28
Two Fists and Hard Work
Sum Up MussOlini's Policies
Sterling Patriot, Born Leader,
a Man Of Peasant Stock,
Rough, Uncouth, ForcefuI,
He Is Halter of Convention.

tween them. His most dangerous
| task is the necessity to thin the
ranks of the Fascist. The youth
of the nation Graves continual
danger and excitement. Further
| more, there is no way at present
! to keep out adventures and
! avowed enemies whose purpose is
to disrupt the organization.
OPPOSES FEMINISM.
Whatever slight advantage gain.
ed in his imagination by showing
that I clearly understood the
Fascimo, also his own aims, was
lost by a casual reference 1 made
to the political rights Of women
He demanded a pencil of the secre-
tary and wrote painstakingly in
English the following sentence and
signed it:
/ am not a feminist because
believe woman must think only
of beauty and the home, and
should not concern herself with
politics.
( This is Mussolini. His best
quality is that he never beclouds
the issue. He makes enemies by
the score, but he stands by his
guns. There is no installing Mus.
solini's attitude.
believe that he would ruthlessly
destroy any attempt by women to
bring acknowledgment before the
people of Italy. He believes in
less suffrage even for men. One
of his first utterances as Premier
was:
I'VE are moving away from
democracy"
IN A MANS WORLD.
often wonder about these
auxiliary legions Of women Ease
isti. They must annoy Mussolini
crafty. His world is mans
world. I never saw woman
secretary or clerk in any Of the
government offices. Even Madame
Mussolini is no exception. She
has not seen her husband since
he rose to the Premiership.
A month ago in Milan tried to
see the Premier's family. went
to the offices Of the II Populo,
Mussolini's newspaper, now edited
by his brother. The staff inform
ed me that they were forbidden to
give the address Of the Mussolini
family. As for photographs of the
wife and three children, Madame
Mussolini had strict orders not to
give any of then out.
IN WORKING SECTION.
I found the house where the
family lived in the working class
district with two guards outside.
The little concierge got red in
the face with embarrassment when
sought to enter.
That night I found Madame
Mussolini in the market with a
basket over her arm.
Mussolini loathes form. He never
rises from the table to speak to a
woman. He makes no effort at
ceremonial politeness.
DEFIES FORMALITY.
A little while back he used to
go to the opera without a coat
Italian society is old and is insistant
upon formality. Mussolini was
once asked to leave the theater
because he was in his shirt sleeves
Once he was arrested for laughing
uproarously at a tragedy. He made
a scene When there were protests
The theater is the place to
laugh In" Mussolini cried in a
loud voice.
It Is small wonder now that he
cannot complete the necessary al.
lance with Gabrielle d'Annunzio.
Mussolini now has more weighty
matters than defying social Gus
toms.
WEARS SILK HAT.
He has compromised upon the
question Of using silk hat like
the Russian Bolshevists and toler.
Qfa0 afin1Ynfta will oI~ -. 4.
of Mussolini as one of the oldest
characters in history and l will
remember him as last saw him
in the great white and gold foyer
OF the Grand Hotel under a huge
crystal candelarba slouching wear
lily into a graceful Louis XIV
ivory and enameled chair. His
pale, heavy boned face showed signs
of sleeplessness. His strong body
was bullying over the edges Of the
seat; his legs were spread wide
over the pale, rose colored velvet
carpet. There was a little cup Of
black coffee, absurdly delicate, be-
side his gnarled work-warped hand.
The foyer on this night was filled
with Italian nobility. Mussolini
never gave them a single glance.
They. looked him over with cold
hauteur. This was the only
occasion during the entire month
| was there that he entered the
foyer. He takes all his meals in
his rooms. am convinced that
II he thought about that company
at all it was only to wonder how
to manipulate their wealth for the
glory Of Italy. He is a realist;
his dream Is efficiency.
Mussolini is a solitary figure-a
modern Cavour.