Evening star., 1924-11-25
Vital, THEMES
Mussolini's Credit Account
By Robert Underwood Johnson.
Former Ambassador to Italy

Whatever may be the outcome of
the present political agitation In
Rome. history cannot fall to record
to the everlasting credit of Benito
Mussolini two colossal achievements
the utter Illustration Of the Soviet at
tempt to bolshevize the Peninsula.
and the destruction. at least for the
time. Of the bloc" system Of govern
ment in the Chamber Of Deputies
say this despite two paradoxes which
have marked the action of the Italian
premier; first. his recognition of the
Russia of the later tyrants and.
second. his apparent condonement of
lawlessness in the conquest of dis
order.
From the peril of the revolution
lists Mussolini saved Italy and the
saving of Italy saved Western Europe.
Thoughtful Italians-and Italy is
full of thoughtful men-saw the
futility of "bloc" government. but it
was left to Mussolini to show the
way out of it. He did this by dem
onstrating the numerical predomi-
nance Of the Fascist. who included
the intelligentsia thank Russia for
that wordD, the veterans, the uni
versity students, and other classes,
who, in protest against the old sys-
tenn, rose to the national conscious
ness of the stirring days OF the lib
Grafton. Such a movement could not
but bring sordid elements In Its wake,
and at times 1t has seemed that
Facismo was about to illustrate the
saying that political parties. like
fishes. are steered by their tails" Say
what one will. In showing way out
of the quagmire of irresponsible gov
ernment MussolIni gave Italy new
patriotism and a new hope.
Thus the march to Rome was not
revolution so much as a revelation.
1t showed that there was a power or
public opinion greater than any or
all Of the Chamber OF Deputies ana
that if there was an assertion OF
the strong arm It was the strong arm
of vast majority. His majesty,
with his customary good sense. recog-
nized this fact, and gave the Facismo
the opportunity to demonstrate It's
representative character and its abil-
ity to serve the country.
How far Mussolini has justified the
confidence of the King and the coun-
try Is a matter of dispute. He has
certainly grappled ruthlessly with
economic and administrative prob
lens. But we must not be misled by
the word dictator" There are two
kinds of dictators. First. the one
who attempts by any means at hand
to enforce his will against the inter
est of the people. and, second. the
one who likewise enforces the inter
est of the people against the Will OF
others.
1t is generally admitted that Mus
solini is courageous. sincere and pa
triotic. but it is not so generally
recognized that he has shown himself
capable of being taught by events
He impulsively announced that the
Corfu incident was a family affair
between Greece and Italy. independ-
ent of the League OF Nations. but he
had the good judgment to reverse
this, decision, recognising his coun-
try's obligations to the league and
thus showing q decent respect for
the opinions of mankind. A dictator
who can learn, a dictator who has
second thoughts. dictator who can
take advice, falls far short of the
tyrannical dominance which We asso-
ciate with the word. The taking OF
the oath to the King by the Fascist
as an organization minimizes any fear
of a revolution against the House OF
Savoy, which was never stronger
than now in the favor Of the Italian
people.
Copyright, 1924.)