Evening star., 1935-09-01

and that he does it because it is in Germany's
interest. The regime that preceded osus sold
out Germany in so many ways that its mem
bers had bad conscience. They would never
have dared to sign ten-year non-aggression
pact with Poland.
The great problem today is Bolshevsm.
There is the enemy. The communists continue
to bore at Us through Czechoslovakia and
Switzerland. The Franco Russian treaty
gives them new strength Some day the
French will regret this alliance 1t strengthens
communism within their own frontiers as we'll
as in the rest of the world"
The Mani regime in Germany is not yet
sure of itself. 1t has an infe1imity complex
with regard to foreign countries and superb
ogity complex On home affairs. It viii not per-
init the German people to read genuine
foreign opinion and with pathetic eagerness
feeds them every little word Of praise it can
Gull from the foreign press.
The Italian people are just as much cut off
from world opinion, but Mussolmi rides more
easily than Hitler for several reasons. Thir-
teen years of unbridled power, good-tem-
pered, non-political people, oy-provoking
climate and leader of matches ability have
given the Fascist Government in Rome an
easy mind and steady hand. The Duce is
proceeding on his way IN East Africa undis-
twbed by foreign clamor, sure of himself and
of his case, and with the justified confidence
that the Italian people will follow leadership
that. apart from its political ideals, has proved
itself constructive and competent.
Let no one assume that what Mussolini
plans in East Africa is mere military fuay
He is launching mighty colonial enterprise
that has been years in preparation and will
require a period of years for its execution.
Study his domestic and foreign policy and
you will find a consistent plan and purpose to
export Italian colonists to East Africa and to
obtain there some Of those raw materials
which Italy needs.
In January France gave him free hand.
For years European powers worked against
US in East Africa through Abyssinia," Mus
solni told me. That has all been changed.
Today France is our friend" His voice and
manner indicated that in his opinion this
clears the way for Italy.
He is probably right. found no one in
authority in England who talked of more
than pious gesture to prevent Italy from
enforcing what are conceded to be her es-
tablished treaty rights in East Africa. OF
course if war comes and Abyssinia shows
strong resistance, different situation might
develop
This month Mussolini will have a we'll
equipped colonial army of $4,000 men in
East Africa. Most of them will be established
on the table-lands Of Eritrea, from which
they can penetrate northeast Abyssinia with
little difficulty. Their first move will probably
be to recaptwe Adowa, where in 1896 Italy
met the first major defeat ever administered
by Ethiopians to Caucasians.
But this is anticipating. Several times in the
course of my interview with Mussolini he
denied that he wanted war or that war is
inevitable. To the direct question: Must
war conner" he replied: II do not say So" His
emphasis was altogether on defense Through
out our half-hosr talk he never struck a
belligerent note. His forces are as well pre-
pared for colonial development as for military
enterprise; his primary purpose is coloniza-
tion not conquest. If the Abyssinian Govern
ment accepts an Italian Protectorate open
or concealed, the Duoe will be satisfied. If not,
the separate tribes will be alenated one by
one with bribes and promises. At any rate,
that is the present plan. It explains why
Mussolini counts on three years of peace.