The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-21

that Italians must be protesting and grumbline against the new sacrifices they are making for MuSsolini'S Empire.
 People Not Grumbling
 Such is not the case. Fifteen years of Fascism have taught the Italian people discipline. Many of them are appalled, at the price they are paying for Italy's new greatness" but they don't grum- ble-at least not in public.
 It cannot be denied, however. that there is considerable amount of unexpressed dissatisfaction at the new burdens placed on their shoulders. Since the Ethiopian war; more and more taxes have been added to pay for Italy,s armament program and these, combined with the increase in the cost of living, have made life ex- tremely difficult.
 MuSsolini's new 1937-38 budget for national defense totals $276,- 650,00O, or an increase of approxi- mately $36,380,000 over the previ- ous year. The new budget does not include special appropriations which are made from time to time to cover emergency needs which Il Duce con- s1ders necessary because of the in- ternational situation.
 Right now Italy is engaged on a gigantic rearmament program which is straining every nerve of the na- tion. Citizens are deprived of many raw materials because they are needed for manufacture of war ma- terials. Munition factories and ar- manent plants are working on A hour schedules, and are not required to observe the 40 hour week which is obligatory for all other industries.
 Iron Supply Inadequate
 There is a shortage of certain raw materials, especially rubber and iron, and, according to trustworthy reports certain portions of the arma- mentS program are behind schedule. To obtain the necessary raw ma- terials Italy must pay in gold and the treasury does not always feel its reserves are large enough to permit large-scale purchases.
 The international crisis over the Spanish civil war has forced Mus solini to warn the Italian people they must be ready for further sacri- fees in the interest of national de- fense. Italian scientists are working day and night trying to find substi- tutes for oil, rubber, cellulose and cotton to free Italy from dependence on foreign markets.
 More and more substitutes are be- ing offered to Italians. The gaS- oline burned by motorists has a large percentage of domestically produced alcohol mixed with ;t. Italian textiles are becoming more and more synthetic. Every bit of scrap-iron and paper is used over and over again. Every backyard in Italy has been raked for bits of old iron which might be melted down and used for armaments.
 Preparedness Is Permanent
 The entire nation, as matter of fact, is virtually on a permanent schedule of war preparedness. Start ing this spring every Italian male between the age of Il and 60 must have in his possession a booklet of physical fitness and military prepa- ration" This booklet registers all physical changes and every aspect of the bearers military experience and training.
 The grim possibilities of the next war are brought home to every Ital- ian by 8 recent ruling which makes 1t obligatory to provide anti-gas and anti-bombing shelters in every new building. Old buildings are being re-adopted as best as possible to provide shelter for inhabitants.
 Military training of Italian boys is being intensified. Virtually no ex- cuSes are accepted for absences from military training classes. Middle aged men who did their obligatory military service many years ago are finding it increasing difficult to DC excused from periodical restraining and new instruction.
 The average Italian looks upon all this military preparation and new financial burdens with conSid- erable apprehension, but there is be- lief that Mussolini is "lucky" and will bring Italy through hard times to the greatest era of prosperity and glory in its history.