Evening star., 1928-11-25

HAVE come back from Italy deeply
IMPRESSED by the change that has
taken place in that country since
the war, and particularly since the
march of the Black Shirts in 1922
II is not only political change, in
voiving a complete transformation OF
the structure of the state, but social
and spiritual change which is reflected
in the mentality and everyday life OF
the people themselves.
Old Italy, with its leisurely habits and
strange fatalisn1. is gone. In its place
there is a buStling, ambitious and dy-
manic nation of 40,000,000 souls fully
determined to have its place IN the
world. The dominant characteristic OF
this new Italy is a youthful spirit, which
Is reflected in every manifestation of
thu national life. The Italians today
are enterpr:sing. optimistic and self
reliant. Instead of looking to Paris ana
Berlin. as they have done in the past,
they are now looking to themselves. to
their own capacities and resources.
Glass lines ere breaking down and age
Gid prejudices are disappearing. new
national consciousness has come to re-
place the narrow Sectionalism of the
past, end the idea of nation is taking
roct. Italy today presents the picture
intense with an enthusiasm that makes
for achievement and progress.
Improvement i'm Nations Economy.
AS I said in a previous article. six
years of Fascist rule have wrought a
marked improvement in the economy
of the country. This improvement Is
\ visible to the naked eye. While the
SItalian people are enjoying no such
prosperity as Is known in this and
other countries rich in natural re-
sources, the rhythm of industrial and
agricultural activity has been greatly
accelerated. Production has increased
and. in spite of temporary slack in
business, due to causes beyond the
control of the government, there are
fewer people out of work in Italy to-
day than in any other country in Eu-
rope Fascist rule has meant order and
efficiency. It has meant complete re-
organization of the public services, with
a striking bettement in the conduct OF
public affairs
Socially this rule has been equally
fruitful The education, health and
welfare of the masses have been raised
to higher levels. Public morals have
improved. A vast recreational end cdu-
cstional program, conducted In cooper
alton with the Fascist trades unions and
employers Syndicates. is being financed
at the cost Of millions Of lire. Nu-
merous laws have been enacted for the
protection of maternity and infancy.
Public health activity has been inten-
si1ed. A progressive program of So
cial legislation intended to safeguard
the race against the dangers Of degen-
Grafton is being carried out intelligently
and scientifically.
Political Value Questioned.
But while socially and economically
Fascism is deserving of the highest
praise, politically its value Is open to
discussion AS a guest of the Italian
government, went into Italy five
months ago with the expressed under
standing that should be free to de-
scribe the situation as saw it. !
travelled from Sicily to the Alps and as
far as I know there was no attempt
to check up on my movements. I saw
q great deal, converSed with many peo-
pie and interviewed leaders on both
sides of the question.
It is my impression that while FaS-
ciSm is still very strong, its continuance
depends on its willingness to restore to
the people a reasonable measure of
freedom. 1t is clearly evident that
while on the surface public opinion is
largely pro-FaSciSt, there is a SUBJ
merged tide of dissatisfaction which is
increasing every day.
Liberties of People CurtaiIed.
The Fascistization of the italian state
Row almost complete, has wrought
havoc with the liberties of the italian
people-though, / must confess, not al.
together against the will Of the people
themselves. The Fascist have TORI
down the old liberal democratic struc.
ture Of the country and reared In it;
stead a highly centralized. rigidly in.
flexible structure of their own, operat-
ing from the top down, like a huge
pyramid with MusSolini at the apex
The local mayors have been subSti
tuted by podestas appointed by Rome
the provincial councils have been abol.
ished; Parliament has been changed
from legislative to an advisory bod,
elected not by the people as whole
: but by the various trade and profeS
sional organizations directly CONTROLLED
by the Fascist.
Moreover, all avenues of public ex.
preston have been Systematically stifled
Freedom of the press, of speech ant
assembly the right of the individua
to political opinions of his own, mi
nority representation, local autonom.
and universal suffrage have been scrap
ped. There Is no opposition Of an.
sort, except as intra-party opposition