Evening star., 1933-07-19
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE

When President Roosevelt welcomes
Gen. Italo Balbo at the White House
tomorrow, he will shake hands with the
man who may one day wear Benito
Mussolini's crown as dictator chief of
the Italian state. The gallant air
marshal from the outset has been one
of the pillers of the Fascist movements
He joined it at its very inception and
was among the "Quadrumvirs" who led
the famous march on Rome which
ended in Mussolinis domination Of
Italy II years ago. Later Gen. Balbo
became a trusted lieutenant in II Duce' S
relentless campaign to bend the nation
to the Fascist will. Gen. Balbo was
also in the group of first Fascist dep
uties. and in his brilliant career has
been. successively, commanding general
of the Fascist militia, undersecretary
for national economy, undersecretary
for aeronautics, and finally air marshal
and minister Of aeronautics. Born at
Quartesana 81 years ago. he Is, like
most of the leaders of modern Italy,
still young man. His university
studies qualified him for a degree which
corresponds to our bachelor of science.
He served in the crack corps OF the
Alpini during the World War and
achieved distinguished fighting record
After the war Balbo, like Mussolinl, was
a professional newspaper man.
X X
Pleasingly bluff, forceful and ener-
getic, Gen. Balbo has remained one of
Mussolinis right-hand men from the
beginning, except for O brief period
when his Fascist enthusiasm led him
into actions which were not approved
by the chief. The bearded lion OF the
air has captured the imagination and
affection of the Italian public as few
of Mussolini's subordinates have sue
ceeded in doing. and is often mentioned
as a logical heir to the great Benito
should unforeseen circumstances put an
untimely end to the reign OF the present
dictator. Many Italians think Musso-
lini's plans for his successorship are
well defined, and though they remain
the premier'S own secret. Balbo Is
widely associated with it. He is bound
to command even more honorable men
ton and speculation in light OF the
imperishable glory his transatlantic air
exploit has just brought to the Italian
name.
President Roosevelt was warned as
long ago as the middle OF April that
the London Economic Conference
would curl up and fade away about this
time. Its temporary-many think, really
its permanent, deniise-has now been
fixed for July q, when Parliament
rises" 1t was Prime Minister Mac
Donald who tipped the President about
a Midsummer wind-up Of the confer
ence. Every Englishman gets ready to
go grouse shooting on August r." ne
| Continent
is immersed in his annual cure at some
spa" Under such circumstances, Mac
Donald explained. 1t would be impos-
sible to do any political business In Eu-
rope.
For a time couple of weeks ago. II
looked as if Secretary Of State Cordel
Hull might return from London with
diminished political prestige here al
home, and, perhaps impelled by dictates
Of self-respect, some OF his friends
feared. resign from the cabinet. THAI
was the situation when Prof Moley
was dispatched to London supposedly tt
| become head man" of the American
delegation. in fact, If not In rank
Since then the tide has turned very
markedly in Judge Hulls direction. Hi
earnest and successful fight against pre-
mature adjournment of the conference
had the effect Of Immediately restoring
his status both in London and Wash.
ington Prof. Moley took with him tt
London a memorandum in which Pres
ident Roosevelt rel, fred to his Secre'
tary OF State as that great American
| Cordell Hull" It is now assured thai
the premier Of the cabinet will be vel
| coined at the White House on his re-
turn from London next month in un
alioyed favor.