Evening star., 1924-12-21
MUSSOL|N| DEF|ES
FOES, ASKS VOTE
Seeks Election Law Change
in Dramatic Move for
Showdown.
By the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press.
ROME, December 2o.-Premier Mus
solini. with his customary dramatic
effect. today accepted the challenge OF
the opposition by introducing bill
| in the Chamber of Deputies modifying
the electoral law, providing for a
return to the old methods of election
and calling the chamber to assemble
on January to pass on the bill.
The measure contemplates the hold
ing of general elections in March.
The premier flung this bombsheli
Into the chamber, which at the time
was enjoying a peaceful atmosphere.
thus giving startling notice that he
and his Fascist followers were will
ing to let the country decide whether
they have the confidence Of the ma
jority or are trying to rule by sort
OF usurpation, as the opposition has
charged.
Moreover, Mussolini desires to
silence the criticism that his party
took an unfair advantage by adopt
ing a special electoral law for the
last general election. and he is de-
termined TO meet the opposition on
their own ground. utilizing the previ-
Gus election law.
Announcement Surprise.
During a period Of relative quiet
the premier arose, as eager eyes were
focused on him, and said: "I have the
honor to present to the chamber a bill
modifying the electoral political law
approved December 3, 1929. I wish
the committee of the chamber to be
convoked to examine the bill on
January 3. and that the chamoer
the same afternoon resume its work"
Mussolini then took his seat, and
while he sat there, his chin resting
in his hands and his elbows on his
knees, the chamber became charged
with a kind of electrical comment.
with much gestulating among the
members, who knew not what to
think. Even former Premier Giolitti.
Mussolinis political arch en- emy,
after smiling broadly. engaged his
friends in lively conversation.
Views DnRer widely.
Discussion followed Immediately
over Mussoloni's motives for appeal
ing to the voters at 50 early a date.
His friends seemed to think this
evening that he was getting tired Of
being naEged by the opposition, who
accused him OF having a dummy parlia-
ment, elected under a questionable
electoral law. 1t Is thought in these
circles that Mussolini believes he
stands good chance of being re-
turned with q large majority, even
with reversion to the old electoral
system.
Discussion among opposition circles
however, ascribed different motives to
the premier's move. They declared
that the Fascist see the handwriting
on the wall and. regard defeat in
general elections as the least humili-
ating method of making their exit
from power.
All sorts OF conjectures and prog
nostications are afoat already, in
cluding the possibility of the Kings
granting general amnesty on the eve
of the elections, whereby both the
Fascist and Socialists would ben eft
Such an act, It is considered, would
be in the interest of general pacifica-
tion Of the country.
The consensus In the chamber is
that Mussolinrs object in presenting
bill for a new electoral law on
January 3, at which time the chamber
Is always in vacation, Is that he
wishes to have general elections in
March or April. 1t is reported that
the new bill will be on the basis
of the new English electoral law, and
will provide for increasing the num-
Der of deputies from the present total
of 535 to $50. or one deputy for every
$4,000 Inhabitants.