The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-04-26
MUSSOLINI is
HOPING TO GET
MORECOLONIES
Fear of a Mussolini Imperial.
ism Is Agitating Minds
of Many in Italy
RUMORS or WAR HEARD
Unconfirmed Report Says Italy
Dreams of Annexing
French Provinces

Basic, Switzerland, April 26.-LR)--
Will q Mussolini imperialism men,
ace the movement for European re.
c0nciliati0n and reconstruction be-
gun at Locarno and represented per-
mancntly by the League Of Nations :?
This is question which special
correspondent Of the Associated
Press, who has just left Italy, found
agitating many minds there, even
transccnding in interest the inter-
nal situation in which Mussolini is
believed to have established undis-
puted dictatorship and complete
mastery Of the state.
All responsible information obtain
ed in Rome indicates that Mussoiini,
realizing that lack of raw material
handicaps the country from the veV
start, wants more colonies, in this
respect duplicating the ambitions Of
the Germans, who want the restora-
ton Of some Of their lost colonies
with which to provide additional raw
material to feed home industries.
Last year Italy's unfavorable trade
balance reached eight billion lire.
Her imports, chiefly wheat and oil,
from the United States alone ;ggre-
gated four billion lire more than her
exports to the United States. Wheat
purchases in the United States con-
stitute the biggest adverse item in
the Italian trade balance and to off
set this Mussolin has launched his
spectacular battle of grain" in
which the peasants Of the peninsula
country are contributing to national
solidarity by cndeavoring to aug
ment the harvest.
Another Question
Where, however, will Mussolini get
his desired colonies? That is another
question which is anxiously asked at
Rome. The recent landing Of an
ltalixh military contingent on the
border of Somaliland, east Africa, in
dicates to observers that the fascist
premier will, like the japanese in
Manchuria and Shantung. endeavor to
create "zones Of influence" in Africa.
This policy already has begun as
regards Abyssinia, which joined the
league primarily to prevent encroach-
ments on her sovereign rights. In a
stricter economic sense, reliable in
formation shows that Mussolini will
endeavor to bring the entire Balkan
peninsula within the domain Of ltaly's
expansion. This program has been
begun by the establishment of rela-
tions Of amity and collaboration with
Greece and negotiations with Jugo
Slavia looking to the creation Of q
pact of security under the aegis Of
Italy and France.
The Roman government, with its
! extensive merchant marine, hopes to
capture the Russian market by the
easy access Of Italian ships from
the Mediterranean to the Black Sea
and seeks to purchase wheat and oil
from Russia at cost less than what
it pays to the United States.
France Refuses
An unauthcnticatcd report is going
the rounds in diplomatic circles in
Rome that in payment for throwing
her forces on the side Of the allies
against the central powers, once her
allies, Italy has dreamed of the an
ncxation Of the French provinces Of
Savoic and Nice, which passed to
France from italy under Napoleon
Ill. The story continues that France
refuses even to consider such a sug-
gestion, but that should France in
the future be forced into war Italy
undoubtedly would demand Savoic
and Nice as consideration for any
military help to France.
Also Italy is said to desire to
spread her influence to the French
protectorate Of Tunis.
The correspondent found in Italian
circles scant admiration for the
League Of Nations or for that form
Of international cooperation for which
the league especially stands. 1t is
generally accepted that Mussolini has
produced q nationalistic spirit which
leaves little room for the information
alism represented by Geneva.
Neve rtheless it is not believed in
responsible quarters in Rome that
Mussolini would push his ambitions
so far as to drive italy into war of
aggression.
"Have no fear that Mussolini will
plunge Europe into new carnage"
said one official to the correspond.
ent. "When Mussolini speaks he is
speaking for the multitude at home,
for he knows that Italy's future pros
perity must be based primarily on
the rebirth Of the national spirit"
To Mobilize In June
The Italian war office is declared
by the correspondent Of the Daily
Herald of London, labor organ, to be
busily engaged in military prepara-
tions. He says he is informed that
the Italian army staff has received
urgent instructions to have every
thing prepared for mobilization by
June. The correspondent reports in
tense activity afsng the Adriatic
coast.
From Lugano, .on the Swiss-Italian
frontier, comes y report Of split
among the italian fascist.
The Berlin vossische Zeitung corr
respondent says it is reported that
in the eastern provinces Of Italy, es-
pecially Venice, Udira and Trieste,
/ large army under Roberto Farinacci,
who recently left the post Of secre-
tary general " the fascist party, is
beginning movement against Mus
soline. Severe clashes are said al
ready to have occurred, the news be-
Ing suppressed by censorship.