Evening star., 1925-01-05

Benito Mussolini, premier of Italy
and man of surprises, has sprung a
new surprise. From a virtual die
tatorship gained by revolution he
suddenly arises in the Italian House
of Deputies and proposes to revise
the election statutes and seek popu-
lar opinion at the polls under vir-
tually the old election laws of his
nation. In making this move, many
American editors believe. he has dis
armed his opposition of its strong.
est weapon against him. The press
of this country. like the people of
Mussolinis own country, are wonder
ing what the motive is and what the
outcome will be.
1T is now a little over two years
since the Fascist seized control of
government in Italy" observes the
Baltimore Sun, ''and during this
period it has been impossible to as
certain what the Italian people
themselves think of the overthrow of
constitutional rule" The elections
last May were no index, the Sun
holds, because of Mussolini's manipu-
lation of the election laws through
his hand-picked deputies. Since
those elections" the Sun adds, "have
occurred the murder of Deputy
Matteotti, the exiling Of ex-Premier
Nittt and a number of other Incl
dents which indicate growing
undercurrent of unrest. So serious
has this become that 1t is said Mus
solini no longer dares to exercise
censorship powers for fear of launch
ing an organized revolt. This free
dom of the opposition to express
opinions, coupled with the fact that
in the election scheduled for next
March each constituency will return
It's winning candidate, indicates that
real test of the popularity of
FaScism is now coming"
X X X x
"The abstention of the opposition
parties from Parliament weakened its
representative character" in the
opinion of the New York Herald
Tribune, the bitter attacks of the
opposition press seemed to have
shaken the premier's position, and
what he himself characterizes as the
stupid and idiotic violences' Of his
own supporters was undoubtedly
bringing him into an impaSse. The
transition from the dictatorship was
being ruined for a very obvious
political purpose. Mussolini has ap-
parentIy decided to checkmate his
enemies by going the whole way"
While the Providence Tribune thinks:
''Mussolini is taking a big chance.
Either he Will prove that even on the
basis of democratic principles, which
he despises, he has the confidence of
the Italian people, or Fascismo will
pass out of existence as a powerful
political force"
There may be many mutterings
against the Fascist today" in the
opinion of the Boston Transcript,
"but if Mussolini should be forced
out of office, the call for his leader
ship is likely to be soon renewed.
The great contributions of states
manship which Mussolini has made
will come to be assessed at their true
value, if the Parliament ever again
becomes a mere wrangling house for
small factionists. Let a. new govern
ment come in with weak fiscal
policy, let the budget and the bonds
Of the consolidated loan go crashing,
let the lira begin new process of
depreciation, and quickly enough the
Italian people will be heard clamor-
ing for a restoration of good fiscal
government. Blessings are most be-
loved when they are lost"
X x x
According to the Cleveland Plain
Dealer: 1.-The Faccist plan was sup
posed to assure the Fascists perma-
nent majority, but Mussolini finds a
permanent majority somewhat awk-
ward as long as the minority declines
to take any part in the affairs of gov
srnment- He hopes by. restoring the