Evening star., 1924-05-28
Mussolini Depicts Italy's Rebirth
Rescue Of Nation From "Caste Of Politicians Reviewed.
World Vie,Us

|, ian people are grievously taxed. Pro-
portionately to their economic posi-
bilities they are bearing a greater tax
burden than any other people in the
world. Our economic situation, and
consequently our living conditions,
are made worse by foreign immigra-
tion laws, which diminish our capac-
ity for finding work for our people,"
What is your opinion of the i'm
migration policy apparently fore
shadowed in American"
Sig. Mussolini was standing when
l asked this question. He fixed his
dark brown eyes upon mine, lifted his
right hand, and said slowly and SOL
emnly:
Il should think it very sad IL Amer
lea shut her gates against the people
who produced her diScoYerer Selec-
tive immigration-'
He stopped. sat down and bent over
paper on his desk. One knew wha t
he meant He. meant that, s. Italians
see 1t, proposals not based upon the
principle of selection for fitness, but
based upon the principle of race or
natlonality, seem to find favor in
Washington. Thoughtful Italians re-
gard themselves and Americans as
ethnologically the two youngest ma
tlonS OF the world--both old stocks
modified by innumerable foreign in
cursions. both melting pots, but both
retaining unfmpaired their racial pri-
maiities. Such Italians feel that
neither talo-Americans nor their
brethren at home have done anything
10 forfeit American confidence in
them as American citizens. Quite the
contrary is the belief, and by way of
PROOF one Is reminded of the record
or italo- o-Amerfcan soldiers in France
and of Italian soldiers on the precip-
itous battlefields of the Alps.
Italy Too Small for It's People.
Sig. Mussolini, we should like very
much to have your honest view of
this immigration matter"
1t Is a matter Of deep interest and
real Importance to Italy. Our emo
tions are enlisted because of our his
torical and cultural relations with
America, and because of our nation
alistfc identity. Vast numbers of
Italians have gone to America, have
become loyal American citizens, have
fought for America, and yet know
and love Italy. These Italo-Amcr-
leans, as we regard them, are an in
valuable link between our civiliza-
tionS and a force for the integration
of the world. Those Of our citizens
who go to America and return to US
are an influence for Italo-American n
understanding and whatever promotes
such understanding is a beneficent
thing for both countries.
We are by no means ignorant of
Americas difficulties in respect of i'm
migration. Her right and duty to
protect herself against undesirable
aliens are clear. Italy certainly
would not dream of asking her to
accept immigrants likely to burden
or embarrass her. We do not want
to send our diseased or insane or dan
gerous people TO the United States.
iS Of Tta1
ing when we discuss immigration
with your country. Our peninsula is
too small too rocky, too hilly, too
mountainous, to support our 10000
600 and their increase. Only a third
of the little land we have is tillable
and we possess few mineral resources.
Turn Naturally Toward America.
TN word, we are subject to great
and growing emigratory pressure and
our people naturally turn toward CO.
lumbia. They are good workers, SEN
sible folk, orderly by nature, healthy
in mind and body, heirs of a long
and triumphant historical struggle
They will be a source of strength, not
of weakness, to any society they join.
We feel it strange that any ones
ideas on immigration in America
should appear to favor Germans, for
example, over Italians. Only the
other day Americans and Italians
were fighting together to defeat
Germanic tyranny. Besides, there is
much greater social unrest in Ger
many and much more bolshevism
than there is in Italy.
II do not wish to say anything
harsh about the Germans or about
any other people. Neither do 1 wish
to be understood as suggesting that
America should admit fewer Germans s
within her gates. | merely am inti-
mating that 1 should find it hard to
reconcile any American migration
proposals more favorable to Germans
than to Italians with what I conceive
to be a rightful appreciation of the
Italy's need for larger opportunities
for her people was greatly increased
by her material sacrifices in the gem
eral struggle for freedom. This
struggle not only wrecked our eco
nomic life, but put upon our tax
payers a debt burden amounting to
more than siX-tenthS of our national
wealth. I have confidence that full
discussion, attended by mutual SYM
ment of the Italo American immigra-
ton problem"
You would say a sense of dignity
lies at the core of nationality"
Absolutely. Without a sense of
dignity there is no nationality. With
out a sense Of dignity, indeed, there
Is no individuality"
(Signor Mussolinis story of the
Fascist movement will be continued
in tomorrow'S Starr