Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1925-12-24
Ml)SSOLINI IN
Interview ON
ASPIRATIONS
Premier Grants Talk
to Correspondent of
United Press
Bv thomas 3. MORGAN

lCCpyFl9HI ISEo ny OuiACu FTSSSI
Rome Premier Benito Musso-
I'M, in an exclusive interview with
the United Press, today told of
his aspirations for an italian
empire"
But he was careful to explain
that when one speaks of an i'm
rerial italy, no definite territor-
ial conquest is alluded ia, but
rather an attitude of mind, the
rule Of virile conduct combative if
needs be, which Italy must OBJ
serve in international problems"
The interview, the most com
prehensive Mussolini has ever
granted, occurred in the Chigi pal
ace and covered a wide range Of
topics. Ease, grace and compos-
IRE marked the manner of the
fascist leader as he talked.
what is your opinion regard
ing an Italian empire, alluded to
several times in your speeches.?
What would be the political, geo
graphical, military and economic
aspects of the empire?"
Immediately he explained:
"The word empire" he said,
"has more than one meaning in
the Italian language. 1t may mean
form of government and, more
especially, that marvellous state
organization which in the early
centuries of the Christian era
dominated the world of Rome. But
empire also means force, might,
dominance, command. Empire, as
the will to life and to power is at
the base Of all living organisms.
Every nation which possesses the
exhuberant capacity for progress
is forced by its own nature, as its
productive powers grow stronger,
to widen the limits of it's own pac-
ifc penetration in the world and
10 expand its power, it's intellect
nal and moral prestige beyond its
frontiers.
Does not the history of the
United States afford us a typical
example Of this movement of pac-
iGc expansion? Has not an Am
orican Imperialism been spoken of
in the same way that reference is
made to Italian Imperialism.
There is no need for me to re-
mind you, an American, of the
ideas and works of Roosevelt, who
only q few months before his
death wrote every people must,
above all, make use OF its partic-
ular energies and must safeguard
its own honor and its own vital
interests
when one speaks Of an sim
periaP italy, no definite territorial
conquest is alluded to, but rath-
err an attitude Of mind. the rule of
yirile conduct, combatiye, if needs
Re. which Italy must observe in
great international problems.
Right to Expansion
'1taly's Importance among the
hations Of the world, her great
sacrifices during the world war,
and her exhuberant population, all
give her the right to wider ex-
Tansion.
"He who sees an aggressive aim
i'll such a policy is fool.
History is not without exam
pies of peaceful agreements and
partitionings through which pow
ers arrived at tirmer and more
just equilibrium OF their forces
and safeguarded the peace and
tranquility of their peoples.
81 am confident that Italy will
not lack the means, when the oc-
casion arises, of obtaining through
compromises and agreements the
portions due her. Other nations
would assume a grave responsible
ity in raising any obstinate resis-
lance to Italy's moderate aspira-
tons which are only directed to
guaranteeing her future as a great
power"
Of the Italian debt settlement in
Washington, Mussolini declared
his confidence that it will slim
ulate Italy's young energies rather
than weaken her"
Of America he had words OF
praise.
America" he said, "gives ev-
cry day an example of this ardent
untamed youthful urge to work, tc
produce wealth, and to spread il
far and wide for the fecundity o.
the world"
Asked whether he proposed al
abandonment of the representative
and parliamentary principle, Mus.
sclini replied that fascism does no
propose complete abandonment