San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-24
Restoration of the Theatre of Dionysius,
One of the Favorite Amusement
Places of the Ancient Romans.

~ ECENT utterances of Benito Musso-
tx lini, the masterful dictator of Italy,
have revealed the fact that he is
contemplating reviving the ancient Roman
Empire with all its pomp and splendor.
Mussolini is not yet willing to admit
his entire ambition. He wishes to learn
how the proposal will be received in Italy
and in foreign countries.
The germ of his ambition can be found
in a recent speech, when he said:
81 shall ever regard Julius Caesar as
my ideal, my master, the greatest man
that ever lived. My principles are world
principles"
Ancient Rome, the city where strong
jawed Mussolini now exercises despotic
power, once ruled the whole civilized
world, from Asia Minor in the east to the
Straits of Gibraltar in the west, and from
the shores of Africa in the south to the
British Isles in the north. Egypt, Syria,
Greece, Mauritania, Spain, France (then
called GauD, all the wealthy States of the
ancient world were dominated by Rome.
From them came the wealth that enabled
the Emperor to live in a gilded palace,
with 1000 slaves, and the people to enjoy
the spectacles of gladiatOrs and wild
beasts in the circus, with endless free
feasting and wine. 1t was the resources
of the whole world that backed the proud
boast of the Emperor Augustus:
81 found Rome of brick and left it of
marble"
But how is modern Italy to become
a world power like ancient Rome? Such
power is obviously based on material re-
sources Italy is the poorest of the great
powers The peninsula is lacking in iron
and minerals, which are so essential to
world power. Her foreign possessions are
poor and insignificant, consisting only OF
Tripol in Northern Africa, an undevel-
oped section of East Africa, and dozen
small islands in the Greek archipelago.
But Mussolini does not throw out ideas
which have no practical basis. He mas
thought out policy by which the ancient
Roman power may be restored. He be-
lieves that Rome will become again the
centre of the Mediterranean world, in
Guiding under its power or influence
France, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor,
As the Mediterranean is the strategic
heart of Europe, such a combination
would be the dominant power, and put
England, Germany and other countries
in a subordinate position.
II seems ridiculous 10 expect that
France, a stronger and richer country,
will accept the supremacy of Italy. But
Mussolini and his devoted followers have
thought of that difficulty. They say that
France, which is proud TO call her civili-
cation Latin, would consent to enter the
restored Roman Empire, although she
would not consent 70 belong TO an Italian
kingdom The same reasoning applies to
Spain. The Fascist say that the Latin
nations must federate 70 preserve their
civilization, and that the only way TO do
This is through the restoration of the
Roman Empire.
The idea of bringing France into the
new Roman Empire is eleverly and clearly
expressed by Roma Fascista," the organ
Of Mussolini's party in Rome:
sit is certain that after only year Of
Fascist government France would be
regenerated economically and spiritually"
said the Italian newspaper. There are
two great peoples which aspire TO the
honor of renewing France-the German
people and ours. The first will not sue
coed. but the Italian people, which re-
sembles the French by thousand traits,
will. The Italian people, prolific, hard.
working. honest, imbued with love Of
family and thrifty, is the logical perpetu-
ator Of the Latin tradition.
ave will not make an Italian Empire,
50 as not 10 arouse susceptibilIties We
will become reconciled under a name
equally dear to us-the Roman Empire.