The Washington times., 1923-01-28

lie IS an OutcaSt from Socialism.
He has cut off all his old habits.
His old friends say that it is very
difficult to have friendly com
tracted new alliances entirely, get
former life and associations.
OLD REFORMS GO.
He has struck out to find for
Italy Ito use his own phrase) a
road between trembling age and
the impotence of youth. To fol-
low him along that road requires
the maximum OF patriotism. Work
ers must sacrifice every funda-
mental rule of unionism. All re-
forms that it has taken many
years to bring about, like trade
union restrictions in regard to shop
rules and the eight hour work day,
have no place in the extreme ma
tlonaliSt program of MuSsolini.
Under Mussolinis plan for a re-
juyenated Italy, laborers nuts work
longer hours without additional pay
and accept tax of from 4 to 6
per cent upon their weekly salary:
The middle class is just as hard
hit as the workers.
DISBANDS ROYAL GUARDS.
Mussolini is cutting down ex.
penses by removing state servants
and disbanding the Royal Guards.
This has added thousands to the
list Of Italian unemployed. The
Royal Guards alone numbered
10000 members. Now these dis
gruntled men, whose only training
was for fighting, are idle. At the
same time Mussolini has not i'm.
posed any new taxes on the upper
class like manufacturers and the
aristocracy that live on rents.
In Milan I talked with one Of the
greatest financiers in Europe, with
an immense factory in that city.
He explained the reason for this
apparent injustice. Answering my
question why Mussolini did not
tax all classes this man said:
LIT Is because Mussolini is as
ticia1n never defies all the elements
Of the population. He keeps solid
support somewhere. So it is being
kept here. If MusSolini can re-
store Italy's productivity land you
must recall that Italy has no coal,
oil or timber, her wealth being in
the bodies of the Italian people): if
Mussoltni can do this and make the
people work he can attack US later
when we will be in no position to
resist. That is our fear. He may
come down. upon as suddenly with
all Italy behind him."
STAND OF UPPER CLASS.
Does that mean," I asked, "that
the upper classes remain aloof?"
The manufacturer answered:
mo, most of us believe it 10
better to be taxed later and have
our factories also than lose daily
now through sheer inefficiency, de.
lays In railway traffic, thefts and
sabotage. All this practically
amounts to "a huge tax.
You should point out to Ameri-
cans WHO want peace and stability
In Europe that no man in France
mas had the courage to attempt to
balance the national budget. Mus
solini has dared to do so and he
tackles every problem with equal
fury. 1t undoubtedly is the only
way to put Italy on her feet. He
Is the only man capable of unity
ing Italy. If he fails, then chaos"
LIKENED TO KERENSKY.
A man grown old in the diplo-
matte service told me Mussolini
would follow Kerensky, alexander
kerensky, the Socialist Premier of
Russia who was driven out by the
Bolshevists).
THE Communists" said this
diplomat, must not be counted
out because they are silent for the
moment. They are biding their
time. They will profit by Mus
solini's failures. Italy has placed
her hopes too high. Mussolini can
not satisfy the elemental desires
OF the masses. He can only add
to the burdens and promise a
doubtful heaven"
One Of Premier Mussolini's gray
est problems is the fact that italy
mas two armies, regulars and
Fascisti. He must harmonize be-