The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-26
ITALY THRIVING
UNDERF|ST Of
MUSSOLNV|
Liberty Loving Nation Likes
DictatoriaI Rule Of
Premier.
~ DAVID M. CHURCH.

- h
Written for Cosmopolitan News Service,
ROME. Dec. 26.-Benit. Muaso.
I'M is the greatest political para
dox Of the age.
Dictators are ordinarily unpopu-
lar and hated, but Muasolini, who
virtually ADMITS Dictatorship, is
riding the crest Of great and
seemingly unending wave of popu.
iarity throughout italy.
Mussolini himself has spoken
frankly with regard to his views
OF liberty, ana there is plenty of
evidence In Italy that liberty has
been somewhat hampered under
the regime Of the Fascists, but the
Italian people are not complaining.
They remind one OF the henpecked
husband who loved being hen
pecked.
Italy Never Happier.
italy was never happier than 1t
Is today and Italy was never more
Industrious, and this Is notwith.
standing the fact that some of the
beloved rights of the people have
been more or less harshly handled.
Wherever Mussolini goes he is
acclaimed ae the savior Of the
nation. and when one reviews the
position Of Italy today compared
with the Italy OF q year ago It
seems that there are sound reasons
for Mussolini's popularity.
AS long as MuaSolini can con.
tinue to improve internal conditions
In italy he win probably continue
to be regarded as thes savior Of
the people, for there are many who
do not endorse Fascism who still
endorse some Of the things that
FascisIn has done.
An Italian professor, Of more than
average intelligence, stated the case
In this way:
Has Built Up Country.
They say Mussclini has killed
liberty In Italy. Perhaps he has,
but he has reduced unemployment.
They say Mussolin1 has d1sregarded
our constitutional rights. Perhaps
he has. but our budget Is improved
today. There are many Of us who
don't admire Mussolini's Fascist
but az long as Fascism continues
to build up our country, we can.
not oppose IT,"
This attitude, which amounts al
most to laissex faire policy amongst
non-F ascists who are not bitter
political proponents, will probably
strengthen the success OF MusSolini
and Fascism for many months to
come. Those who are not Fascists
will not become anti-Fascists while
Fascism continues to show solld re-
suits in the reconstruction Of Italy.
There is some question as to the
part Mussolini has played in some
of the Fascist incidents which
have astonished foreign observers.
For instance, Premier Nitti has
been virtually a prisoner under
Fascism, at least opposition to him
has run so strong that he has
chosen to keep himself we'll in the
background. Nitti's home in Rome
has been the object Of raids.
UnspOnsored BY Him.
Such intolerances as these are
probably without the knowledge Of
Mussolint, and undoubtedly he
would oppose them IL he had ad-
vance warning. There are enthu-
siasts among the Fascists who are
not as wise as Mussolini and who
let their disllkes run away with
their Judgment.
Mussolini has sternly disciplined
some FAscists for their participa-
ton in disorders. but there are
suspicious that he has winked at
other disorders. He 10 not opposed
to strong warnings and probably
has no objection to treading upon
q. few liberties when the occasion de-
mands. Still, the people of Italy
are enthusiastic in their admiration
of this political paradox, respected
IL not a beloved, dictatoH