The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-03

acter changes. It was German social ism's refusal to adhere to information alism that caused Mussolini to sound the cry to the Italians to enter the war. The result was his expulsion from the socialist party.
 He founded the Popolo D'Italia-- which was largely instrumental in Italy's entrance into the world struggle Mussolini, a man of actions, went at once to the front as a bersagliere. A bursting shell which tore his body in 100 wounds brought him to the point of death.
 The Modern Strong Man
 An exploded shell, like an exploded theory, failed to deter him from the direct line of patriotism. What, to some, seemed like an inconsistency in the radical change from red socialism to super-nationalism was merely a step in progressive adaptation.
 1 asked him once how he could recon cile the underlying principles of fas- cismo with the establishment of Italy as a respected international figure.
 Before we can demand respect from others we must have a strong Italy worthy of respect" he replied.
 Mussolini in his many sided genius calls to mind the remarkable men of the Reniassance-men like Leonardo and Michael Angelo whose artistic ex- pression was often sweEved into prac ical works for the country's defense. And Mussolini, too, is a rebirth from the forces of Italy's early greatness-a new type-the modern strong man. A socialist deputy was assassinated in Italy the other day. Immediately "Mussolini," "Fascisti'' were on the lips of people whose pronunciation of the words was sometimes as incorrect 0s the interpretation of their meaning. People, only casually aware of what has been happening in Italy, since MussO- lini was swept into the high seats Of government on the overwhelming wave of fascism, became suddenly alive to the fact that a country with twelve million representatives in the United States is not so far removed from con- sideration after all.
 Dictator" "Reactionary," ''Tryant," were terms intermingled with Political Messiah" Saviour of Italy" In an Italian restaurant in the heart of New York I witnessed a clash batween fes- cisti and socialists. A big meeting de- nouncing Mussolini because of the Matteoti murder, a meeting in which the hand of American agitators was distinctly felt was another demonstra- tion.
 Indignant RecriminatiOns
 Individual members of society who have accepted the wholesale slaughter of humanity in defense of national ideals turned indignant recriminatiOns against the leader of a new form of government because of an individau ul criminal act perpetrated by individual delinquents-sneh as the history of every revolution in government reveals lurking in its shadows.
 ''Mussolini will fall," or Mussolini will not fall, "Fascismo will fall" or .Fascismo will not fall," are expres- sions which show how the one is a symbol of the other. The "crisis" in Italy-if such it be-is destined to prove that the strength of the party lies in the strength of the man. It is a power which will transcend quickly the weak spots in any party.
 A Lincoln To Italy In considering the situation in Italy today it is absolutely necessary to re- member two things. Despite all the talk about Spanish fascists, Hungar- ian fascisti, German fascismo, Fascism is a political phenomenon peculiarly Italian. It was born and bredA-sO far as its definite expression is concerned lin the brain of a man who is as peculiarly the product of his country,s need as was-yes-even Lincoln in the United States.
 Whether or not we believe in certain reactionary and dictatorial attributes of the MussOlini government, has nOth- ing to do with an honest understanding of the immediate problems in Italy, which have brought Mussolini-dic- tated fascismo before the world today as the most important political "ex- pertinent"
 Attitude Towards Government
 The second necessary. thing for Amer jeans to remember is that there are clements both within and without the gates of the modern Roman Empire which are in no way eager to see a strong and stabilized form of govern ment ins Italy. The belief that Italy is a deeadent. nation is not always a dis interested one.
 | Benito Mussolini became Fascist Prem fer of Italy. It is a strange but not altogether inexplicable fact that almost up to the moment the tramp of black shfrted fascisti was heard within the Eternal City on their march to control the government, foreign correspondents were obstinately reluctant to recognize the rising tide of power
 This may be due to the cumulative effect of those futile experiences with inefficient, doddering non-cOnstructive (from the standpoint of patriotism es- pecially) bureaucratic evaders in evil dence during and following the World war.
 Fascism Defined
 Just exactly what is fascism?
 In terms of the psycho-analyst it is the protest of youth against senile de- cay.
 It is the voice of the returned soldier, gazing upon country in which there was no realization of the principles for which he fought. demanding redress.
 It is young blood, surging violently, transfusing new life through a drastic operation, to avert national decadence
 The prOtestors have declared that the end justifies the means, just as we hear 1t declared about the war to end war.
 Seen As National Hero
 The spirit of fascism was alive even before the first immediate and concrete demonstration of it's reason of being the suppression of BOlshevism. Indeed in Italian history this super-national- ism has stirred youth to direct action in several critical moments. But the fascisti became recognized as national heroes when they crushed BOlshevism at the time of the land and factory seiz- ures in 1920. Lack of discipline, in adequate public service, continual