The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-02
Liberal Viewpoint
by DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES

TNHE other day wrote a moderate historical
column describing in calm fashion the char
acter of "the account with Ethiopia" which Mus
solini desires to settle. I described the back
ground of the famous Italian defeat in 1896,
showing how Italy was played for a sucker by
Great Britain and defeated, in large part
through French enmity and treachery. There
was no effort to paint Italy in the role of an
international BLACKBOARD or to indicate that her
mperialstic ambitions before 1896 were any
more reprehensble than those of Britain or
France Indeed there was a clear implication
that Italy had a better case than either the
French or the British.
But this dspassonate column aroused the
ire of red-blooded Italian resident in Brook
yn who sent me a letter from which l shall
quote This letter is highly significant as il
Illustrating the psychology of the patriot on the
verge of war It mirrors the spirit of Italy
today, though distilled and moderated a little
because of distance and absence from the i'm
mediate scene of military Mysteries in Italy it
self. Indeed if an Italian in Brooklyn can feel
like this, what chance is there of reasoning with
one directly under the spell of Mussolinis ges-
lures and propaganda?
THIS Brooklyn admirer of Mussolin1 writes
me in part follows:
Dear DR.. Barnes: If some of your articles
were written with brains rather than prejudice
you would not expose yourself to such idiocy
and lack of understanding of worlds history.
ITO compare Mussolini to Crispi In your
article, TtalyS Account With Ethiopia in the
July II issue of the World-Telegram relative to
the African venture, is calumny that reveals
your narrow minded and pigmy intelligence N
contrast to that human colossus and world-re-
nowned statesman and thinker-Benito Mus
solini
Turn over, man, and wake up from your
- AoIyo
Ethiopia in war but England as well; and this
does not exclude you.
why earth don't you come out with it
and say that Ethiopia should be reserved for
England to fill her already satiated appetite for
colonial expansion.
But this time England has missed her aim
and will keep on doing SO until her doomsday-
now rapidly approaching.
Rub your eyes and wake up from your child
ish dream man; be yourself and not hypocrite
The audacity, to compare 1talys army OF 1896
of 1000 men against 100000 of the enemy in an
unknown country, plus political rivalry at home,
is dstorting history and the valor of the Italian
soldiers that we're capable enough to crush one
of the most militaristic empires that ended the
World War.
What have you to say to this, Mr.. Paid
Writer?"
r WOULD merely admoniSh my correspondent
u
cSunting too certainly upon an easy Italian vic
tory Back in 1856 great many italians felt
about as he does now. One must certainly adj
NIT that the situation is not the same now as
then, particularly because of aerial warfare. for
which Italy is well equipped and Ethiopia very
slightly. But. even so. it does not follow that
Italy will mop up Ethiopia speedily and with
little loss of either money or men.
Personally. it seems to me that the Italians
have every chance of winning if they care to
fight it out. Yet, we can not be so sure that
an Italian victory would be worth the fddlers
bill. One has only to remember that it required
the largest number Of men which Britain ever
put in the field to conquer the two microscopic
Dutch republics in South Africa. And the ter
rain over which the Boer War was fought was
much easier to traverse than the Ethiopian
jungle.
1t win hardly be necessary for me to COM
ment upon the humorous suggestion that wrote
nv column in the pay of England 1t has too
often been alleged by English sympathizers that
have written against Great Britain in the pay
Of Germany.
I VIII heartily concede that Italy is as much
entitled TO her place in the sun as is Great
Britain. If Italy must fight, it would please me
much better to see her take on Great Britain
than for her TO jump ON Ethiopia There would
be SOME logic in this move and most Americans
With sporting sense would probably be found
On the Italian cheering line.