Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-12
Deflation Of Fascist Bogey
Goods Citizenship Discussion

The haSty assurance on the part of
the Italian Ambassador that Signor
Mussolini's laundering speech on the
Capitoline Hill didn't really mean that
American citizens Of italian birth would
be impressed into military service If
they ever risked q trip to the homeland
debated somewhat discussion of II
DUce's latest unfortunate" outburst
But even with the "once an Italian
always an Italian" fallacy unexploded,
the American press takes the speech In
much the same vein as the Ottawa
(Canada) Journal regards his mad
ness:
Perhaps it Is not wise to take him
as seriously as he takes himself" it
observes. "a man who adopts as his
inkpot q skull and croSSbones, whose
paper weight Is dagger, and whose
pets are lion cubs, has obvious his
trionic abilities. When Fascism fails
him, FINLAND should afford an excel
lent opportunity for him."
OF course, more serious consideration
of the premier'S words is given by
some, especially to its slurring refer
ences to peace, which the Kalamazoo
Gazette describes as not contributing
anything very constructive to the
cause OF international harmony" It
feels, however, with the st. Paul Pioneer
Press, that allowance must be made
for the fact that the occasion which
called forth these remarks was the an
niverSary of the Italian victory over
the Austrians at Veneto in the World
War. Moreover, Mussolini was speak
ing for home consumption" this paper
continues, land he has learned what
many other politicians have found out
before him, that there are few things
so effective as little judicious putting
of the national ego"
The Saginaw Daily News is at loss
to understand how such an alert
Drained man as Mussolini could over
look, If he really does, the fact that
nations strong for peace. and leading
the talk Of which he speaks are also
nations that are mighty fighters If
Journal rejoices that leaders of the
great nations are moving constructive
ly toward the accomplishment of
peace" and that there "is but one
Mussolini alive to sound the war cry"
while the Memphis Commercial Ap-
peal declares that for the swaShbuckler
MuSsolini, with his abrogation of civil
liberties, with his terrorizing of Italian
citizens at home and abroad, and,
of blood and iron, the world has a
growing apprehension"
Others view him merely as an actor
striking a pose. AS the Omaha World
Herald puts 1t: Alongside a coalition of
the powers reSolute on preserving the
status quo, Italy would be a pigmy. It
is because the world recognizes the fact
that Mussolini's Nominations hardly
disturb its serenity. He may talk war to
his hearts content But except as a
mailman leading nation of the mad he
could not wage it"
on this question Of citizenship the
Springfield Union feels that Italians re-
siding in the United States, whether
they have become naturalized citizens of
this country or not, will view with salts
faction the assurance that they may
visit their native land, without fear of
being forced into military service; still
1t does not indicate that Italy Is pre-
pared to negotiate treaty with this
country whereby American citizens of
Italian birth can enjoy the full protec-
ton of our citizenship even when in
Italy"
The Hartford Daily Courant is glad
to see "a point of friction. between Italy
and America" removed, but the Chicago
Daily Tribune thinks the statement
docs not seem to clear UP the question
of American citizenship in Italy" and
that paper contends: 1.-THE point the
United States must insist upon is that
American citizenship is not of doubtful
definition or privileges. An Italian who
has become an American is not of dou- |
BILE or of dubious nationality. His al |
legiance is not questionable and the di-
rection of his obligatory services Is not |
in doubt In peace or In war he has the |
same immunity to alien demand as is |