Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-17
'MUSSOLINI sees
need OF FRANCO
ITALIAN AGREEMENT
(By p. w. Winner. Rome STAFF of
ny

(By p. w. Winner. Rome STAFF of
A. P)
Rome. italy. Dec. ia Franco
Italian agreement il one Of the fun
damental necessities of European
evolution, Premier Mussolini told q
correspondent of the Associated
Press in cordial interview in which
he explained to the American public
for the first time the cardinal prin-
ciples inspiring his foreign policies.
The duce's guiding idea, he de-
clared, is the necessity for providing
for ItaIy's crying need for moral,
spiritual and physician expansion.
by means Of a pacific. but not pacf-
fist policy. The fulfilment of these
needs, far from being incompatible
with friendship and cooperation
with other nations, really requires
cooperation and mutual understand
ing with them, notably with France
and England.
MussoIini declared himself to be a
firm believer In the restoration OF the
European balance of power in a for
mula best adapted for the mainten-
ance of peace.
Referring to the so-called Asiatic
peril. he urged the necessity of aban-
doning the tendency to regard the
Asiatics as barbarians, giving as his
opinion that all peril from the ORR
ent will have ceased to exist when
the mental barriers between the
eastern and western peoples are
broken down.
The leader of Fascism received the
Associated Press correspondent in his
spacious Office in Chigi Palace. His
face beamed with health and vigor de-
spite the fact that the reception came
after six-hour-long constant stream
Of interviews with cabinet ministers
and officials. The ante-chambers out
side were crowded with waiting visit
ors. Inside everything was quiet and
peaceful as Mussolini set forth sue
cinctly his ideas Of Italy's role in the
world.
II am entirely in favor Of the res
toration of balance and equilibrium Of
forces in a formula most adapted for
maintaining peace" the premier de-
clared. Equilibrium between peoples
must be continually reestablished.
I'm what have said you will find
the answer to the question so often
asked Of our colonial aspirations and
desires. One must not describe Italy
as though she were laying in hiding
behind a hedge ready to jump at the
throat of the first passing nation, TO
tear a colony from her hands. This
Italian attitude, created in bad faith
by the fantasy of certain of our adver-
saries, is absolutely non-existent.
eve do not believe it is as yet pos
sible in the present phase of world
evolution to abolish war absolutely,
and we are therefore trying to be ready
to defend ourselves at any moment
and against anybody.
Therefore, although our policy is
not pacifist in the Utopian sense of
the word it is. however, essentially
pacific Moreover, have demonstrate
ed this by the numerous pacts 1 have
concluded at every time and in every
place possible. and 1 shall continue
firmly along this road.
81 have firm faith that the urgent
problems of italian expansion can be
resolved by these methods"
Turning to relations with France
the premier maintained that the in
cidents between the two nations
were due to the Vaccinations Of
rev INDIVIDUALS.
"These incidents can not and must
not disturb in any way relations
between the two governments, still
less the relations between peoples
which have the same blood. In fact,
I consider a Franco Italian agree
ment as one of the fundamental
necessities of European evolution.
1.-THE problem of a change of stat
ute is on the way to a satisfactory
solution. The other problem of the
situation of the italian colonies in
the regency of Tunis is of vital in
terest to us. When the moment IS
propitious, the friendly discussion of
it can also be taken up"
Turning to Levantine affairs, the
duce pointed out that Italy was
maintaining friendly relations with
Russia and Turkey.
Taking up finally Italy's attitude
towards events in the Far East, the
duce remarked:
I'm regard to eventual future yell
low peril. think it depends also
bit on the occident, to know how to
avoid It."
ut is certain that Asia Is the most
ancient source of all PHILOSOPHERS and
cradles of human thought.
ut is necessary. therefore. to cease
considering Asiatics as barbarians:
it Is necessary to break down the
barriers which separate us from
these hundreds and hundreds of MIL
lions of men who do not demand
anything more than to be allowed to
progress. When we will have Great
ed currents Of thought which permit
us to know each other and under
stand each other the yellow peril Will
dissolve of its own account"