The Washington times., 1923-05-11
FASCIST CHIEF
SEES VOTE AS
REWARD
MussoIini FaVors Women in
Politics, But Not BaIIoting
on Age Basis.
BY ESTHER LOMBARDO.
Editor Of the Feminist Review Vita
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BY ESTHER LOMBARDO.
Editor of the Feminist Review Vita
Femminite.
Written Especially for International
News Service.
Copyright, 1923. by International News
/ Servicc.)
ROME, May 11.-Premier Benito
Mussolini, Of Italy, founder Of the
Fascist and most spectacular poIiti-
cal figure in the world today, told
International News Service that he
is not opposed to woman suffrage
"in principle" but he cannot see why
1.-The vote should be conferred just be-
cause person "has reached a GER
tain age
The International Woman's Suf.
frage Alliance, composed of women
from all countries of the world, will
open it's convention here Saturday,
and it was judged opportune to OBJ.
tain the views of Premier Mussolini
in advance. It had been reported
that Mussolini and the other chiefs
of the Fascist were opposed to wom-
en- in politics and public life. Con-
sequently the premier was asked for
his views, knowing that they would
be the views Of the Fascist, the
most powerful political organization
in Europe.
Mussolini received the interviewer
in Victory Hall of Chigi palace, a
great square apartment 1000 feet in
extent. He was seated at table,
which in itself was as big as an or
binary sized room. It was piled high
with reports, official documents and
letters. The premier was busy die
tating to several stenographers and
listening to verbal reports from Sec
retaries.
Vote Should Be Record.
The premier is a powerfully built
man with rugged, stern counter.
tance-the face of soldier. 1t soft.
ened as he talked.
ct am not against woman suffrage
on principle" he exclaimed, plung-
ing at once into the heart of his
talk. But cannot admit that the
vote is a natural right to be granted
to every citizen just because this
citizen has reached a certain age.
should like the vote to be the
reward for the most deserving
among the citizens, including WON
en- of course. It must be admitted
that the result of universal suffrage
is uncertain-it is an experiment.
Everywhere in Italy the situation
would only be aggravated by send
ing several more persons (women)
to the polls.
''Of course the vote might be
granted to women by category. But
it would be difficult to establish a
simple and fair distinction. Any
way, it would be impossible to ex-
clude working women. There are
practical difficulties in the way to
obstruct the grant of universal
suffrage. This must be admitted.
Il believe, however, that as soon
as possible, an experiment will be
tried in Italy; that is to say, the
vote will be given to women in
municipal elections. Announcement
Of the governments intentions in
this respect already has been for
mally made.
at Is believed that women are
better able to handle municipal
affairs than national affairs. They
are more directly in touch with
municipal affairs, as the latter
touches their daily lives. National
affairs constitute abstract political
problems.
Working Women First.
1T do not mean that complete
suffrage will be granted to women
in municipal elections. There
would be certain restrictions, but
there would be no restriction
barring working women. They
would be assured of the ballot if
any one got 1t at all. If this
experiment is successful, I must
admit that there probably win
come a time when it will be ex-
tended. But it is too early to
make any definite predictions"
''"Then you are a friend, not an
enemy of general suffrage for
women?" the premier was asked.
Mussolini's heavy brows rose,
and smile flickered in his deep
set, glowing black eyes.
Politics Hard To Leave.
"Oh," he replied easily and mean.
while smiling, Il have noticed
that, in countries where there's
universal suffrage, women vote
entirely with the men. They fol.
low the leadership of men.
Politics is hard art. It Is a
difficult thing to learn thoroughly.
1t must be studied. It is weary.
ing. Voting women prove their
intelligence by leaving the weight
and responsibility of politics to
men.