Evening star., 1934-09-16
STRIKES Of j. s.
PUZZLE MUSSOL|N|
II Duce Says New Deal
Sound-Urges Need of
Industrial Accord.

ROME (SpeciaD .-Mussolini, busy
with Italy's own pressing industrial
and economic problems, is not too
busy to keep close and watchful
eve on the domestic troubles and per-
plexities which beset the United
States, and these, he implies. puzzle
him.
"why are there strikes in Amer
ica?" he demanded, during an inter-
view In his private Office in the Pa
lazza Venezia. "They are not neces-
sary. Here in Italy we have done
away with strikes and lockouts; we do
not waste our time in brawls."
Challengingly, Italy's dictator
looked across his great desk. 1t was
suggested to him that there are diff
ferences between Fascism and Amer
ica's New Deal.
Notes Presidents Power.
A vigorous nod. "Ah, yes. But
America approached one Of Fascism's
principles when the new regime dele
gated more power to the executive
nedQ OF CLe 0OVtTIlILcuI.
He was asked whether he believed
the principles Of Fascism could sue
cessfully be applied to solve the prob
lens Of America.
II do not know" Mussolini replied.
Conditions in the United States are
different. The temperament Of the
people, the urgencies of the times,
the historical background, are not of
the same pattern as in Italy. Besides,
America has the New Deal. Mr..
Roosevelt is q man Of prestige. I
understand he has the country with
him"
do you think the New Deal is
workable?"
Sees Need OF Industry Accord.
IT believe 1t basically sound. If 1t
doesn't function 1t is because the
methods of application are at fault.
America must work toward closer CO.
operation between capital and labor"
Asked how the method of applying
the New Deal differed from Fascism,
Mussolini said:
mo citizen In the Fascist state has
the anti-social right of rebelling
against any law of the COLLECTIVELY.
The Fascist state, with its cooperative
conception, lnterprets the duty each
citizen has to fulfill. This applies
alike to employer and employe. From
the paramount necessity for produc-
ton arises the need Of tribunals in
case of discord and finally the need of
protective legislation.
I'm this manner we have exalted
work and the worker and at the same
time have not neglected capital We
consider capital an increasingly i'm
portant factor in the productive
strength of our nation"
What about your unemployment
situation?"
Despite the striking increase in
our population-a population of a.
600 900, which will number So, 900 900
in Is years-Italian industry is alb
sorbing its unemployed without ap-
preciable lowering of wages as meas
ured by their purchasing power.
Life, as the Fascist sees it, is seri-
Gus, austere, religious. Fascism wants
man to be absorbed in action with all
his energies; to have manly concep-
ton Of the difficulties that exist and
be ready to face them. It conceives of
life as q struggle
The Italian leader was asked about
his prepare for war" speech delivered
at the recent army maneuvers at Bo-
logna and his phrase, "war might
break out from one minute to the
next
THAT speech was clear and true"
he replied instantly. ct repeat what
I said. My position is unchanged.
AS a political man am not for war.
As philosopher, as one who follows
the course Of history, I do not be-
Ieve in the possibility of universal
peace"
Fights Power Concentration.
''what situation might arise to pre-
cipitate a conf1ict?"
ANY attempt to concentrate power
in Europe. An attempt by Germany
to annex Austria, for example. An in
dependent Austrian state Is highly
essential to the peace and equilibrium
Of Europe. Austria holds a key posi-
ton comparable to that of Belgium
and Switzerland. All three must be
maintained intact"
do you look for war soon?"
A slight smile. "You expect me
to be a prophet" Then, gravely:
"I cannot tell Just when war will be-
gin. but the economic situation In
Europe is bad" He shook his head.
Mussolini was asked whether, with
the Fascist conception of life as
struggle, he found happiness in it.
1t was twilight. A hot sirocco blowing
in from the African coast had gath
cred Rome's moisture and was pelting
1t in hailstones against the windows.
Hundreds of lights In crystal chan
deliers were flashing off and on. Mus
solini's booming voice matched the
deep, distant roll of thunder.
"Fascism denies the materialistic
conception of happiness as a possibil-
ity," he said.
But you, as a celebrity?"
II am not celebrity" he replied
sternly. "I am a mana man work.
ing for humanity and mankind"
Then, abruptly. with unquestionable
decision: "The conversation is fin
ished."
lCopyright. 1894. by the North American
Newspaper Alliance Inc)