Evening star., 1926-09-19
MUSSOL|N| AVOIDS
RISK Of PLEB|SC|TE
Not Tempted by Dubious Re-
suit in Spain Despite
Present Trend.
BY GERVILIE REACHE.

Ev Radio to The Star.
PARIS. September 1S.-The Euro
pean checker game has opened up
considerably.
, The League of Nations assembly
closed in a much better atmosphere
han it began. and the wrangle over
seats ended amicably. Finally, the
Franco-German rapproachment is a
fact agains. which Nationalists on
both sides Of the Rhine may rail, but
which remains. nevertheless, logical
and rational. and will certainly be de
veloped in the economic field through
industrial agreements.
Yet Frances example of modera
ton and reaSonableness has not been
echoed very loudly by her neighbors.
Foreign Minister Stre3emann of Ger
many. and Premier Mussolini OF Italy
lat fall some unfortunate words. one
talking OF 'wiping out" the Rhine
land, and the other commenting un-
automatically on the attempt against
his life.
Spain Has Own Problems.
Fortunately. Spain had internal
preoccupations. Otherwise, we might
have seen further development Of
the policy Of Mediterranean redistri-
button begun in 1929 between two
dictatorial powers under the more or
less benevolent eye of certain British
foreign office officials.
The diplomacy of the Madrid and
Rome dictators is dangerous to their
neighbors. They govern without a
parliament, without a ministerial cab
inet-which Is like driving without
brakes. This necesstates consta Mt
dangling Of national prestige before
their peoples, whereas France for
many years has foregone her nation
al pride and submitted to arbitration.
as in the recent dispute with Turkey
But the Spanish plebiscite revealed
his weakness. Three-Quarters of the
population refrained from voting.
Thus Primo was far from having
majority, since three-fourths Of the
people were either hostile or indiffer-
ent.
Primo de Riveras experiment with
the plebiscite will hardly tempt
Premier Mussolini. The latter pre-
fers to hide his diminishing popular
ity behind his brilliant Fascist legions
and a. censorship which allows nothing
unfiattering to be published. Mean
while, Italian industry and commerce
do not conceal their apprehension at
q. financial policy which threatens to
close the stock markets and paralyze
tho country's economic activities.
French Farley Unlikely.
Needless 10 say, there Is no present
possibility of direct Franco-Italian ne
rotistions, despite the current rumors.
NJ BRAND. after his conversations
with Herr Stresemann, is back in
Paris. where he will take a needed
rest The French ambassador to
Rome. who was Nacationing, was re-
ouested 10 see Premier MuSsolini and
explain how inopportune would be
amy effort TO turn the anarchist
Luccotti's attempt into an anti
French demonstration even more
IA bid thar that which was raised
aGains; England when Violet Gibson
attempted to take the Italian Pre-
mier life
Ital,. Of course is seeking an out
20, for immigration since the United
states has imposed immigration re-
stI-iCtions Why does she not turn
her surplus sourhwald and colonize
Tripoli. which in ancient times was
Aourishing country" Italy too
quickly forgets that she owes TO
France her national unity. is we'll as
her recent victory over the AuStro-
Hunga rian empire. instead of covet'
ing Frances hard earned wealth she
might show little gratitude.
Frances internal situation remains
stationary Her commercial balance
Is unirnproved and. despite a disap-
pearinc harvest. economic activity IS
intense. Administrative reforms and
governmental restrictions are having
about as much effect as the anti
tobacco campaign in the United
States.
Copyright. 1895