Evening star., 1928-10-14

There is no threat of war in what am
saying. On the contrary, I know that
the treaties can be revised anicably and
peacefully"
I suggested that his stand in favor
side of the defeated powers
What Of it?" he replied II know
that the great powers are opposed to
any tampering with the treaties, but a
change Is inevitable We Italians want
peace. We want peace in order that we
may be able to continue the great work
we have undertaken. II We are prepar-
ing for war it is only because we know
that war is still reality. And We are
preparing as sanely as possible. We are
spending great deal less on our naval
and military ornaments than France.
England, Russia and Germany. Yes,
even less than Germany. Our armed
forces are necessary for the defense of
our existence and our future. We have
no other ambition"
1t may interest the reader to know
that this interview was going on at a
time when the newspapers of the penin-
Sula were filled with detailed accounts
of an anti-Italian demonstration in
Jugoslavia. in which several Italians
were assaulted and their property de-
stroyed There were no counter DEM
onstrations of any sort. and MuSsolini's 5
own discussion Of the incident revealed
what seemed tn me firm intent to pre-
serve the peace at all cost.
America Need Not Fear Me-"
I realized that had taken too much
leading to his office was fairly filled
with men and women waiting to be re-
ceived. But there was one more ques-
ton I wanted to ask and he consented
to answer it.
Your excellency, everywhere in
America people are asking, After Mus
solini, What?' Will you please explain?"
It was evident he had been asked the
same question many times before, but
he was perfectly willing to answer it
again And he answered it with an un-
derstanding smile.
America need have no fears about
me or Fascisn. The movement l have
created will go on long after / am
gone
He waved his hand as If to indicate
that he meant many, many years.
Three years ago everything depend
ed on me. Not now. No, not now.
Fascism is here to stay. We have Gre
ated a ruling class which will choose
my successor when l am gone-9 600
podestas. 10000 officers of the militia.
| thousands of trained organizers and
. the Balilla"
! His eyes sparkled.
| Have you seen the Balilla?"
| / nodded my head
| They are the Fascist of tomorrow
/ The future of Italy is safe in their
hands. II all Italy is not Fascist to-
day. it will be all Fascist when the
youth of the land has grown to man
| hood
He ventured this prophecy in whis-
per. as if revealing an important secret
never revealed before. Nothing is closer
to the heart Of the Duce than these
millions of Fascist youngsters through
out the country who are being taught
the Fascist creed as devotedly as the
church teaches the Gospel These boys
are the one guarantee of the continual
ton of the system he has created and
which he is sure will continue.
I returned to my hotel with a wholly
changed impression of the man in
whose hands rest the destinies of 4O.-
100000 people, and in measure the
fate of the whole of Europe. The ficti-
tious conception of domineering ty-
rant. nervous and impulsive, as Signor
Ferry had described him, had vanished
In It's stead I retained the vivid picture
Of soft-spoken, cautious business man.
somewhat worn out by the weight OF
one Of the biggest jobs in the entire
| world. But still eagerly determined TO
carrO on.
AGopyright. 1921 -