The Indianapolis times., 1923-05-16
Premier Mussolni Declares Germany Block in the Road
Man With Peculiar Power
Holds Italy ,Hypno-
tiZed,
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIAIMS
NEA Service Writer

IL man who nypnotlZed forty NH
- - Hon people would seem a diff
cult Job. II wasn't. Premier Benito
Mussolini Of Italy is the easiest man
TO interview-once you get to him
In Europe
It is easy because he answers Ques-
lions. Most Latins-mOst Europeans
beat the devil about the bush. Mus
solinI comes right back at you.
Eth bienr' he exclaimed, drilling
me with his enormous hypnotic eyes
as we sat facing each other across
his desk In Chigi Palace-the Italian
foreign office. His tone said as plain
ly as had he used the word:
Shoot
The world is fun of trouble."
said as an opener. What is Italy's9''
"Doncl" Mussolini exploded, the
word which indicated he was about TO
unlimber coming across the desk at
me like a cannon ball. six months
ago Italys chief trouble was that she
needed order. Now she has it
His words came in jerks. about six
at a time like bursts from a machine
gun.
FlndilEtS ITODlefn
To-day" he went on in perfect
French, each word bell-clear despite
the fact he IS the son OF a blacksmith
a ''self-made' man and has taught
himself pretty much all he knows.
To-day Italy's greatest need IL TO get
her finances in order--to balance her
budget Three years ago there was a
deficit Of 10000. 900. 900 Ira. We have
cut it to 1000 900 900. We must cut
1t to zero. VOLTA
when will you reach that 'zero?' "
asked.
That does not depend entirely on
Italy. II Europe quits making trouble,
soon. If not, cannot say"
Whats the matter with EurOpe2"
Mainly two things. Mussohni shot
back much like a tennis player volleys
back his opponents ball. Russia is
one. Germany is the other. Russia
is just big hole-a void-in the world.
Nothing there but hterature-phrases
Germany is a block in the road
These two countries may be con
sidered as cne obstacle, for they are
working together-one supports the
other. Europe's economic III cannot
be corrected until the void is filed and
the block removed from the road. That
means reparations must be settled
Germany must pay"
COnferences7 N0i
How is this to be brought about
by conference?"
no. Conferences don't settle any
thing. All they do at one conference
is TO agree to have another. The
patient Is very sick. The doctors con
Ter, but the patient gets no better.
No. The interested nations must
agree one with the other--first two,
then three. then four and so on, un-
I'll a general agreement is reached"
What about the opposition to the
Fascist party which has just re-
suited in four designations of cabinet
members being handed IN to your
What opposition" snapped the
premier az II he did not understand.
You mean in the Popular party2
Over with. Finished"
Have you no fear Of a reaction
setting ina return TO the old days
and parties as they We're before your
march on RomeT"'
''Oid Parties Dead
Not the slightest. All the old
parties are dead, their ashes scattered.
The rest have been absorbed by US.
Tomorrow you will see. The streets
Of Rome will show you why l do
not fear a reaction. The people are
with me and then there are 100, 900
Black Shirts Fascist soldiers.
These are mine. They belong to me-"
For a few minutes we talked of
people-Eulppean personalities. Le-
min was q. menace. KemaI Pasha
quite a figure. Chancellor Cuno was
to be reckoned with. He's a business
man" Lloyd George writes too
much"
Then l put the questionable one
question: most wanted to ask. This
new italian leader, virtually dictator,
who holds Italy in the hollow of his
hand, seems to WELD some sort Of su-
pernatural influence over the 40,000,-
600 people of his country His great,
black wide-open and staring Svengali-
like eyes gave him the air of a hypno-
tist
Force, Faitll-Eyes
You seem to have some strange
hold on the people of Italy" I said
TO what do you attribute your pow
er?' I asked the question deliberate
". 1 wanted to see how he would
take it.
Mussolini smiled. He had risen and
come around to my side of the desk.
Now he took a step forward until
we stood face to face. very close,
his piercing eyes stabbing directly
into mine.
That is one of the mysteries" he
said enigmatically.
Personal magnetism" suggested
his chef Gle cabinet, smiling also.
One thing is certain. Part Of Mus
soini's power comes from his absolute
faith in his own star. He is the most
self-cOnfdent man | have ever seen.
In his lexicon there Is no such word
as fail
Only time can tell whether Europe
has another Napoleon or Just most
interesting meteor trailing across the