Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13
BY POULTNEY BIGELOW.

~ oME.-The royal protocol pre-
- scribed a high silk hat, but
mine had been left on the banks
i of the Hudson. 1t was a deli
cate point in etiquette that
might have embarrassed even a White
House official, but argued to myself !:
"A real King does not notice, and a
sham one does not count" And so I
wore no hat all-at least, I left it in
the antechamber. And, as had sur
missed, His Majesty Victor Emmanuel
III noticed nothing-only me.
The audience had been ordered for
1880 in the morning at the Quirinal
and, OF course, was punctual-and so
was the King. I was waved on from
one splendid turnkey to another, up
many splendid steps and through many
splendid rooms where two very cour-
teouS military aides babe me welcome
and held me in harmless conversation
until the clock should strike my hour.
Then the door was thrown open and
was ushered alone into the royal
presence.
His Majesty walked forward to meet
me, offered me his hand, then asked
me to be seated in an armchair by his
side, and thus, with only our two selves
IN this vast room, We talked for the
space Of IS minutes.
The officers of the antechamber had
counted the minutes and congratulated
me warmly upon what they regarded as
an exceptional mark of royal interest.
AS for me, the time had passed SO
swiftly that I was amazed when told
Of the many minutes had absorbed.
Are these incidents worth mention
ing? Yes, because those of us who have
talked with great captains of industry
in their Wall Street sanctums or been
admitted to the presence of President
at the White House know that any such
audience on our side of the water would
be perpetually chopped up by telephone
calls. furtively opening doors or swiftly
stepping secretaries pushing pieces of
paper in into the hands of the pluto
cratic or democratically autocratic host.
Lucky he who is even offered seat;
the usual way is to receive caller
standing and gently wiring his hand
while pushing him toward the door
marked egreSs.
King Shows Excellent Memory.
What did we talk about? The talk
was wholly private and, therefore. only
the King shall make 1t public. He has
a prodigious memory, this grandson of
the great Victor Emmanuel II, who
founded United Italy. The moment we
had shaken hands he spoke of our
meeting at Metz nearly 40 years ago,
when he was Prince of Naples and both
Of us were guests of William II, Ger
man Emperor.
Victor Emmanuel III has the ideal
conversational mannE-the golden
mean between pedagogical garrulity, a
Ia Theodore Roosevelt, and the official
taciturnity of Calvin Coolidge. He has
the frank manner of one whose words
have never been commercially exploited.
His eyes dance with humor, he loves a
good time, his chuckle is genuine.
Of course. commented on the great
changes one could not help noticing in
Italy-the excellent roads, the absence
of beggars, the cleanliness, the persist
ent progress in all directions. He ap-
peared pleased and while he said moth
ing on so delicate a political matter,
he doubtless gives Mussolini full credit
for his share in the regeneration of
Italy.
It is the fashion to call Mussolini
the Bismarck of Italy-an unfortunate
comparison, for that nightly chancellor
was dismissed from office by sovereign
less than 80 years of age. The great
ness Of Mussolini Is like that Of Wash
ington, to be measured by the smallness
Of his beginnings and the vastness Of
his results.
MussoIinfs Rule Peaceful.
Mussolini created his forces by the
ascendancy Of his personal character.
Bismarck was called for the purpose of
ruling by the aid of Prussian King
who wished to abrogate the constitu-
ton. MusSolini has ruled Italy for
eight years and in profound peace.
Bismarck made three great wars
within the first eight years Of his power,
and each Of his wars was fought on
the territory Of him whom he attacked
first the King Of Denmark Q86D;
then Franz Joseph of Austria O866)
and, finally, Napolean III in 1870.
MuSsolini dresses like other citizens;
Bismarck never appeared in public
without an offensive parade of military
enllinment Even In the Hall of Repre-