Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-04

There was great war fought to
| finish ito make the world safe for
democracy" Out of that victory has
come certain developments, amongst
which a few may be taken as typical:
In Italy The people rose, five years
ago, and established the power of the
Fascist. under the rule of non
commissioned officer who had fought
bravely as a champion of that war to
eXaH democracy. He marched into
Rome at the head of thousands wear
ing black shirts as their distinguish
ing uniforms, and the King was
obliged to name him-Benito Musso-
lini-premier and turn over to him
all power. The King, since then, has
been a figurehead, and democracy
has ruled Italy.
Now, five years have passed under
that regime, and it is reported that
throughout Italy there is a thoroughly
organized movement, voiced by the
controlled press, to canonize Dictator
Mussolini, even while he lives, and
set him apart as one protected by
providence for the great mission OF
reviving the glory that was Rome.
This Is not merely figurative. but ac-
tual, for today all correspondence, Of
fetal or private, signed by either Mus
solini or any of his followers is
dated, not AID. 1927, but ammo ""
meaning the fifth year of Mussolini.
The sinister significance of that may
be realized If one were to conceive
an American dating his letters as
"Anno ILL.," meaning the third year
of Secretary kellogg's administration
of the premiership of the Coolidge
cabinet. Or even dating in England
the year of Prime Minister Baldwin's'
tenure Of Office. II
In the early days of Mussolini the
Duce, as he Is called, used to appear
frequently in public and speak to the
masses, for he is a gifted orator. He
aroused enthusias SIN amongst his fol-
lowers. But since the repeated at
tacks by enemies or fanatics seeking
to assassinate him, he has held him.
self aloof, and never let it be known
In advance when he would address the
Parliament or appear in public. He
becomes mysterious, he is apart from
the masses. The newspapers, not one
of which dares print a line of uncen.
cored opinion, now seek to add to Mus.
solini's sacred character by referring
to him only in such language as is
usually reserved for the Deity or the
saints. All words meaning Mussolini
must be capitalized; similar words re-
ferring to the King need not begin
with capitals. For example:
Ellis EXcellency, the Head of the
Government, yesterday received in His
studio, in the Palazzo Chigi, Count
Volpi di Miserata, Minister of Finances.
Mussolni showed great interest in
Count Volpis exposition of the Treas
ury, and He gave the finance minister
t,oi,o In IN hnI 10 H.
cies should be executed"
The Impero, one of the leading
dailies. recently proposed that the Fas-
cisti should designate each year of
Fascist rule with particular name.
For example, 1928 is to be known as
the year of elimination of collabora-
tors"--the setting up Of one-man
cist passion; 1925, the year of state
construction; 1926, the year of divine
investiture." 1t explains that divine
investiture" refers directly to Musso- !
lini, and this is how 1t Is told:
'Mussolini. the invulnerable, has
been able to give always more Vigor
Gus hand to the City of the Sun,
and to set up the most masterful state
edifice that has ever been seen since !
the time of Caesar, and this is sign |
that His works are protected and ia |
vored by Providence. Providence has |
already given, at least four times in |
the course of the year, unequivocal !
signs of it's favor. and it is for this !!
reason that 1926 may well be called J
the Year Of Divine Investiture-in !
other words. the year in which the |
power of Mussolini has had sure and |
tangible proof Of protection from J
Heaven"
Italy fought bravely, and made fear
full sacrifices in that war to make |
the world safe for democracy" 1t |
misunderstanding!
Now comes Turkey, which after the
war declared that il, too, must be a
pure democracy. 1t deposed it's Sui
tan and Caliph and separated church
and state. 1t elected an Assembly by !
popular vote. and Mustapha kemal (
Pasha became the President Of the
Turkish Republic.
Progressive measures We're taken
under Kemal's rule, even to the extent
Of prescribing that men should dis
card the fez and wear European hats.
It was thought that by changing the
dress the psychology Of the people
would change. Women were liber-
ated from the tyranny Of custom and