The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-15
Nv Renilo MussoIini. Premier Of italy

This is the tenth of a series of articles
Mussoiini' as told to Thomas b. Morgan.
Rome manager of the, United Press. Each
article in this series has been personally
revised, corrected and approved by Pre-
mier Mussoini.
l am a total abstainer. I am I'M
compensatory "dry' when it con-
Germs the brain worker. AS regards
the Italian manual worker, can
be said to be moist" I abstain
rigidly from all kinds Of alcoholic
beverages, even from the lightest
wines, because I feel no necessity
for them. Wine is never bought
for my household. At banquets and
official dinners, even though the
most tempting nectar may be put
before me, and despite the fact that
| like the taste of good wine, I adj
here rigidly to my rule of COM
plete abstinence.
The effects of alcoholic beverages
have been very extensively treated.
Physicians and temperance reform
ers have propounded the evil conse-
quences of drinking, that it is al
most universally accepted that. in
diligence in it must be practiced
with great caution. Its action on
the brain has been too we'll tested
through many centuries to admit dis
cussion. We know that its effect is
harmful and often the world is called
upon to witness some dire tragedy
traceable to alcohol. It's moderate
use has its relative harm for the
brain worker.
Italy through the long ages has
been a great wine country. Our
wines have been traditional before
the days of the Caesars. Our peo-
pie have INDUCED in them and have
persisted as a hardy race. The vine
yards scattered on our hills and val
leys are those same vineyards from
which the valorous legions of the
conquerors received their daily ra-
ton. Generation after generation
have cultivated them and many Of
their vintages have become famous
as the standard of the world.
Wine drinking has therefore been
a heritage of the Italian people. The
centuries of cultivation have taught
them it's use. The severe problems
of alcoholism which many nations
face are not found in Italy to the
same degree as they are elsewhere.
We have a problem, but it is slight
In comparison to some Of the coun-
tries of northern climates. In fact,
even our problem is greater in the
north than it is in the south, show
ing that climate has a certain intlu-
ence on alcoholic consumption. Our
people are rather more disciplined
in the use of wine. They drink only
the higher kinds. Heavy wines are
but slightly used in Italy, while spir
its, such as whisky. brandy and rum
never appear in italian homes, ex-
cept after contact with those coun'
tries where such strong beverages
are consumed.
AS I consider the question Of alco-
hol L see very little ha~m in the
taking of moderate quantities by the
manual worker. 1t might even do
good We have but to watch the
daily routine of millions and millions
of peasants, who are content with
their daily deniiohn Of wine and a
large portion Of bread. They are
hardy people. Viewing their
physical capabilities. it is difficult
TO say that their daily consumption
has had a harmful effect on their
vigor. The same thing applies to
the workers in our factories and
on our transportation systems.
They are Industrious and laborious
people.
If there be a problem in Italy it
is in the very occasional abuse
which our laboring class make of
alcohol. It is indeed an occasional
abuse, for, our wines being light.
It requires the drinking of no small
quantity to intoxcate. 1t is seldom
that workman takes it upon him
self, as a habit. to sit down and
drink so much wine as to become
intoxicated. When the wine is real y
pure, that is, when it comes directly
from the grape, it would be hard to
a.
an overwhelming quantity. Pure
wine can be drunk in large quaint
ties before any effect Is felt Our
millions in the fields can drink one
or two quarts daily and not show
the slightest sign Of intoxication,
but rather exemplify an exceptional
hsrdihood.
There is therefore little need un-
der such circumstances Of exercis'
ing a control over the amount OF
beverage consumed. Light wines
and beers can be partaken in Italy
regardless of quantity, but within
certain restrictions as to hours. We
insist on having a sober nation and
nation ready and fit at all times
to perform its daily work If there
should be harm in the quality Of
the wine consumed or in the manner
of it's consumption the fascist gov
eminent would soon meet the prob
lem with adequate means. Since
our assumption to power, we have
taken up the problem of alcoholism.
slight though It be, and we have
enacted measures aiming at it's com
plete eradication.
We are DESTROYS Of disciplining the
consumption through all classes Of
our people. we prevent drunken
ness. The fascist government has
met this problem in several ways,
At our advent to power, a license
to conduct a bar, hotel, cafe, inn or
bottling house, where alcoholic bev-
erages were dispensed, was granted
on the basis Of one license to every
500 inhabitants. Shortly after we
assumed power we passed a law
providing that the maximum limit Of