Evening star., 1928-02-19
Premier of Italy on Washington

A much maligned philosopher.
Friedrich Wilhelm NietZsche. whom
George Bernard Shaw has called q
saint once said: What life has
promised us we will fulfill to life"
This remarkable nineteenth century
definition Of the sense OF duty and the
sense OF historical destiny without
which TO statesman can be great and
without which no people can be self
respecting, was and Is realized and full
filed by President George Washington
as we'll as by the great people OF whom
he was the Father" MUSSOLTNT.
This IS Mussolini's first article in
English. II is significant that he chose
for this effort a discussion and a tribute
TO George Washington. who. in the
eyes OF the Roman dictator. Is the
greatest American OF them all"
In the midst of reorganizing Italy.
Of remaking the laws. of firing a nation
with new spirit, establishing new rela-
lions with the rest of the world. Mus
Solini has concentrated a part Of his
time and his mind on the mastery OF
two important languages-English and
German.
Through language we learn people. "
were his own words.
In the beginning of his administra-
ton Ambassadors brought their inter-
prefers. Each day saw a constantly
increasing flood OF important people
from all over the world waiting In line
at the Palazzo Chigi.
Mussoiini worked on his French and
soon was able TO deal directly with the
diplomats. But he was at diSad.
vantage In other languages. especially
In English. OF which he knew virtually
nothing.
little over year ago Miss Lillian
Gibson. young journalist, represent
Ing the Paris Herald In Rome, went TO
the Palazzo Chigi TO interview Mus
solini. She had lived in Rome O num-
bcr OF years and she spoke Italian per-
fectly. II was probably a rare relief
for the dictator to be interviewed In his
native tongue. 1t was easier for him
TO express himself freely and with pre-
cislon.
During the conversation It was borne
IN on Mussolini that In the interest of
ltaly's traffic with other nations II was
important for him to be able TO deal dt-
rectly with the English speaking world.
He asked Miss Gibson. who speaks sew
eral Europe@1 Languages, to become his
English teacher. A routine was estab-
iished, Miss Gibson has spent a num-
Der OF hours day reading and con-
Versing With her distinguished pupil
Mussoi.ni has learned English by no
ordinary formula. There has been none
oI the pfrasemaking, How do I md n
railway train2" This ts a cat" MY
Grandmother wishes hot bath" There
nave not even been those useful SEN
fences. Get a doctor quick" nor the
apologize. Il do not speak your Ian.
gnage with facility. but shall try To
make myself understood" and the old
assurance. i understand your language
very we'll" None OF that Tor Mussolini
The President Of Haiti, whose Eng
llsh III admired In many capitals. was
asked at the White House how he had
learned the language, Reading Macau-
lays Trial OF Warren Hastings with
| a good diction teacher" he explained
80 II has been with Mussolini,
He and Miss Gibson have read i'm
poftant books together They have fol-
lowed the discussion of the reform of
the English Prayer Book and they have
read American history. George Wash
lng'on's life has fascinated u Duce, lie
has studied the Father of the Repub-
iic" with intense interest, and he has
Geen Ii similarity In the problems which
, faced the FIRST President of the United
States and now face the preaent dicta-
tor Of Rome,
How well he has mastered languages
was suddenly revealed To the world
when without f0rewarning he addressed
large congress IN Rome two monthh
ago. speaking FIRST In Italian and then
| In French He stilied the applause and
surprised the audience BY repeating his
speech in German. and then In excel
lent English
80 IL happened that when asked for
! enntf button, Mussoiini gave IA Miss
Lillian Gibson personally and exclusive
! iy this, his f,fst article written IN Eng
iian