The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-23
BY ED l.. KEEN
European Vice President Of the United
Press
Copyright 1885 in All Countries by
United Press.

NAilCN EAcSSl.
ROME, Aug. pa solu-
ton of the Ethiopian problem
must be something radical
and conclusive" Premier Be-
nitO MuSsOlini declared today.
Ethiopia can not continue
as a weapon - a modern
weapon, not an ancient lance
pointed at Italy'S back,
With these words, spoken DELHI
erately but emphatically and with
flashing eyes, II Duce, on the eve of
his departure for northern Italy to
attend the most exhaustive mill
tary manuevers since the World
War, concluded an hours interview
with the United Press in which
he discussed with much frankness
Italy'S position in East Africa, her
motives and aims and justification
for her course of action.
Wears Civilian Clothes
1t was the first detailed news
paper interview he has granted
since the Ethiopian situation be-
came acute.
MuSsolini received me in the huge
salon which he uses for an office
in the historic Palazzo Venezia, just
across the square from the tomb
Of Italy's unknown soldier
Wearing civilian clothes-a cream
colored single breasted suit, loose
~ woven silk shirt of soft beige, a
dark blue and white striped tie and
white ShoeS-he met me halfway
down the room and led me to a
desk at the further end
Deeply he is a picture of
perfect health and bounding vitality.
When 1 remarked on his cheerful
appearance in the face of such COM
pelling problems as the peace of the
world and Italian Abyssinian rela-
tons, he put his hands high, threw
back his head and said:
Swimming Like a Fish"
I'm my spirit at this moment lies
my strength"
Then he added laughingly:
Il have just been swimming like
a fish"
AS the premier talked in excellent
English, 1 recalled our first meeting
seven years ago when he had just
begun learning the language. When
l told him the object of my visit to
Rome was to obtain first hand in
formation concerning Italys pur-
poses and the reasons for them,
about which the world at large and
particularly America, is puzzled and
to a considerable degree critical,
Mussolini said:
For the last 40 years, Ethiopia
has been hostile toward Italy. In
order to avoid friction, we tried to
come to an understanding with her
and in 1923 we signed a treaty Of
friendship which she has since con-
sistently disregarded.
Situation Worse and Worse"
"The situation has become worse
and worse. She has attacked our
soldiers, killed our officials and
civilians and has been preparing an
army to attack us.
I'VE have therefore decided to
take precautionary measures and for
this reason, have sent our soldiers
to our colonies of Eritrea and
Somaliland
Il am not an enemy of any race,
but I insist that Italian rights be
respected by every race. That is
what we intend to do in Ethiopia"
Does the policy now being pur-
sued by Italy in East Africa en-
danger the Stresa front between
Italy. Britain and France) and the
present European equilibrium" I
asked.
Il can not believe" he replied,
that Italy's action in Ethiopia,
which partakes of purely local
and colonial character, can influ-
ence-as is asserted in some quar-
ters-the development of the policy
of European collaboration, to which
it has given and is still disposed to
give, entire adherence.
What could endanger the Stresa
front and present European equili-
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