Evening star., 1935-04-21
ETHIOPIAN WAR TO TEST
REAL STRENGTH OF ITALY
Nations Bellicose Gestures to Materi-
alize in Strife That May End
Fascist Party.

ing, than in any Of the eight snations
which have visited to date-twice as
many, indeed.
There are also evidences Of a
friendlier attitude on the part of the
dominant party toward the royal
family. The Kings name is used
as sponsor for numerous charitable
and semi-public undertakings. His
picture, as we'll as that Of the crown
prince, are shown alongside that OF
: the leader in more windows than
at any time since Mussolini arrived.
On many walls these words. crudely
lettered and therefore probably spon-
taneous in origin, appear: Live the
Leader, Live the King. Live the War"
Heretofore have only seen n Duce"
painted everywhere. Does the newly
tolerated sign-painting for 1t cannot
mean defiance of the authorities. sig
nifty that Fascism is sure enough of
itself to be more generous toward
the monarchy which it has so COM
pletely dwarfed, or could it indicate
that in the test ahead of it it de-
sires the aid of all Italians and,
therefore, is making this gesture to
the royalists?
In this same connection 1t is note
worthy that Mussolini himself re-
Gently nominated one of the leading
members of the old nobility to head
the important. newly strengthened
Automobile Club.
Fiscal Strain Evident.
As a result of the purchases in
preparation for the struggle in Africa,
the Italian fiscal system is weaker
than it has been for some years. The
value of the lira is being maintained
artificially, at considerable cost. In
the face of the fluctuations which
have followed stringent regulations
have been issued against persons who
speculate against the lira.
The real test, of course, will come
with the actual fighting in Africa,
which is scheduled to begin as soon
as the weather becomes favorable,
which will be in September.
Fascism must, of course, win out In
Africa If it is to maintain its high
prestige at home and in Europe The
natural resources of Ethiopia beckon
Italy. However, the Italians have had
little experience in equatorial fighting,
and have sustained one severe defeat
in that region. Their shipping facili-
ties, too, are not adequate for conduct
ing distant warfare on an unfavOrable
terrain for a long period.
The example of Spain in Northern
Africa comes to mind. Although op-
Grating against a weaker nation than
Ethiopia, and one quite near at hand,
the SpaniardS made q failure of it,
with the result that the government
was so weakened that the King was
finally expelled.
Living Costs Increase.
There Is some discomfort with the
foreign policy among the people, and
some anxiety, both as to the result
abroad and its economic effects at
home. Already the cost of living is
shooting up, without corresponding
wage gains. This Is particularly seri-
GUS in a land where the margin Of
safety for actual living necessities is
SO low as here, Italy being the weakest
of the big powers in this respect.
The government will be under the
double necessity of making a good
showing in Africa and upholding its
prestige as regards fighting, and also
land hardly less difficulty of getting
enough actual, net gain out of its
African venture to speedily replace the
money which is being and will be
poured out on it.
A serious military or fiscal reverse
as result of this new and bold policy
might bring the whole Fascist regime
crashing to earth. However, an over
whelming majority Of the informed as
well as the ignorant here see only sue
cess and triumph ahead.