Evening star., 1932-11-04

Observance OF the tenth anniversary
of Fascist Italy is made the occasion
for bestowing praise on Premier Musso-
lini for the efficiency with which he has
created order out of chaos in his coun-
try. The suggestion from him that
Fascism will prevail throughout Europe,
with restoration of the glory of Rome,
is received with skepticism, while his
proposal for cancellation Of war debts
inspires only declarations in favor of
European concessions on tariff walls
and armaments.
There can be no dispute" declares
the New York Herald-Tribune, about
the fact that these 10 years Of Unbroken
control Of a great nation insure II Duce
Mussolini a place in history as one Of
the most dynamic personalities of this
generation. Even now the merits or
demerits of Fascist theology. widely as
it has spread, mean far less to the world
at large than the demonstration which
Premier MuSSolini makes from year to
year of the tremendous driving power
that can be generated by one human
spirit with a sincere conviction for fuel.
This is undoubtedly the chief signif1-
canoe which the tenth Fascist anniver
sary has for nearly all Americans. and
this aspect Of it will probably outlive al
of present-day Italy's intense partisan
feeling about the rights or wrongs Of
applied FasciSm "
IF Italy aspires to lead a world in
flnitely more complex than the Roman
Empire Of old" says the Atlanta Jour-
nal, "she must prepare in subtler fash
ion for the enterprise. She must pro-
duce not one leader, one dictator whose
heavy fist dominates her every thought
and action, but host Of great men who
can project their domination to en-
compass humanity's mind. II Duce
gave little consideration, we fear. to
what leadership in the world Of 1882
means. Talk cannot create 1t, nor
heavy armaments, nor scoWlS at those
who refuse to follow. But apart from
this boast Of Gawning world power,
Mussolini had much accomplishment
to which he points with pride after 10
years of Fascism. In numerous ways he
has lifted his people from ancient ruts
many things, not all Of which, We must
suspect, were bad things; but he has
created many progressive institutions
and ideas. Ten years, however, as any
Italian ought to know better than most
people, Is very short time in the cycle
of empires and relationships and de-
mocracies. The salient question about
absolute dictation of government by one
man Is this: What will happen when
he is gone? Mussolini alive and active
can fulfill, as we have seen, many prom
ises, but he cannot perpetuate his plans
and policies. His prediction is rosy and
interesting, and good politics. but we
cannot accept it as embodying extraor-
dinary authority"
Surely II Duce must know" advises
the Baltimore Sun, that when America
is in the throes of an election 1t is in
the worst possible taste for foreign
statesmen to talk about the war debts.
Here we were riding serenely through a
campaign while the debts ride un-
noticed toward eventual limbo. And
now Mussolini comes roaring into the
picture with the question. Will the
American people push this ship (the
settlement Of reparationS at Lausanne),
containing the hopes and fears of so
many people, into the open sea again|
Worse still, 100000 Fascists shouted
MOI What business have Italians to
be shouting NO? II we want to push
boats into the open sea, that's our af
fair. And, anyway, we don't want to
hear about such things during cam
paigns. The candidates have headaches
enough as things are"
The Mussolini statement, Would that
that No could be heard On the other
side of the ocean and touch the heart
OF that great people" is quoted by the
Spokane Spckesman-ReNew with the
reply that the heart of that great
people has been touched already to the
limit" and with the argument that
ITALY has promised to pay for its bor-
krowed a2012, ,0Q6bo0 Only . Little more