The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-10-05
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
ITALY AGAINST ENGLAND

Does Dictator Mussolni of Italy, about to crash
his war machine over the Ethiopian border, regard
Great Britain as his real foe and one from which
he can take much booty? The very question is 50
new that it sttes Yet its framing in all seriou2-
ness is forced by a resume of facts coming from
what the Monitor regards as unimpeachabte
sources These facts may seem more significant to
italian ewes than they will when considered by
world observers Again, they are subject to change
But at the moment the shrewd appraisal is that II
| Duce NAV be motivated by the belief that he can
make sure quick conquest of Ethiopia and that thaE
CONQUEST will give him prestige to play for athe
mighties stake-As master of the Red Sea area,
would ne seek to take prizes from Britain and break
the prestige of the British Empire?
Informed Italians are earnestly talking of war
with Britain and earnestly believing in the posi-
bilty of success against what they call an overrated
power. The cordial feeling which began between
Italy and Britain some Is years ago has, during two
years, drifted steadily toward iciness. Italy
greatly comforted when through the years Britain
almost invariably backed Italian foreign policies.
England did this even when France in doubt OF
opposed Then came the Franco-ltalian accord
Britain strongly approved this setting of difficult
questions But Italy used it to stage changed
attitude toward its former best friend-Rome as
tonished Downing Street with sudden showing of
arrogance where only confidence had been
The Monitors intimate information is to the eff |
fest that II Duce seeks to form an Italian En-
pre that will revive the glories of ancient Rome. |
Along his new highway through the ruins of the Old
Forum II Duce is believed to see visions of new Ro-
man legions moving homeward VIGOROUSLY with the
spos of far conquest trimming their gasohne-driY-
en- chariots Specifically, his campaign plan, is said
to be conquest of Ethiopia at the earliest moment
that large task may be completed, and then the
formation of ali Italian colonial army embracing
more than 100G, 900 black troops. With such corr
quest and such an army II Duce'S prestige would be
enormous, not to be gainsaid--He would then
strike if he had not already initiated the striking
as befitted the master Of the Red Sea.
The blow would hope to be q crumphng blow a.
Britain. With horde of swart soldiers at base
close to the Suez Canal, it seems to the Italian
thought that the route to India could be readily
and the prestige of the British Empire
set to shrveng bysteps that were logical and not 70
be gainsaid This Italian vision is based upon some
thing besides tie dream of imminent Italian power;
that is. upon the firm belief that British prestige
today overestimated. England, Italy suddenly as
Sumes is a decadent nation. After Ethiopia, Il I
Duce believes, Italian Fascism would be so strong
that the world couldn't stop it for at least two
its strength it would strike and
Britain would yield things to make the new Rome
OutShne the old
Under circumstances that Smite the eye Italy {
seems guilty of day-dreaming. The great British
feet patrols the Mediterranean, definitely held
there against day of harmonious settlements Bri-
tain has come out unequivocally for the League !;
Covenant 1t has taken what might seem the
strongest stand possible to strong nation 1t is
ready to push sanctions on an aggressor But Italy
whispers that Britain and all the others have bean
wrong about Fascsm failing in recent years. it be-
heves Fascism is about to mount the platform from
which it can utter world challenge for it's ac-
ceptance. Mussolin first wanted economic conccs-
sions;now he sees territory and power-Powcr
tempts to the further emulation of his model and I
mentor cOnquering Julius Caesar hmself-Christ-
ian Science Monitor