The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-07-30
Drew Pearson Recalls
Mussolini Interview
BY DREW PEARSON
(Author of The Washington "Merry- Go Round"

many, Benes Of CzechoslovslIis, Co.,
grave Of Ireland, Herriot Of Franoeu
Seipel Of Austria, Theunis Of Bel
GUM, Balfour of England, Cassel Of
Sweden and so on.
President Ebert fell In the cate
CORY of really great men. There was
no pretense about him. A formex
socialist and saddlemaker he was
sincerely struggling against over
whelming odds to make a success OF
German democracy. He was simple.
direct, completely frank in discuss
ing Germany's trials and her need
of world cooperation.
Great and Near Great
Benes of Czechoslovakia was
equally so. In fact most Of the
great men" were simple, direct and
unpretentious. Charles Schneider,
head of the giant LeCreusot NUM-
lions plant in France, which even
then was doing business both in
France and across the line, was sur
rounded with more pretense than
anyone else-until I got to Musso-
lini
II Duce was protected yards deep
by red tape, protocol, this-a-nd-that
secretary, sonorous counselors, and
other endless folderol. When got
to him, the stage had been perfectly
set No detail was overlooked. I
was bowed through a maze of ante
rooms and pushed into huge salon.
It was dark. At the other end were
windows, desk and a man.
advanced over stretch Of floor
that seemed endless. The men at
the desk pretended to concentrate
on papers before him. Suddenly he
bounced up, shook hands, and before
I had time to open my mouth,
plunged into the interview.
"You request my opinion Of COM
munism?" (This was the burning
topic in Europe and I had submitted
list of questions in advance.)
"All right, it Is finished. Smashed.
1t doesn't exist.
ut doesn't exist in Italy. It does
MT exist in Russia. Russia Is Just
as capitalistic as before.
"In other countries Of Europe
perhaps, it is not finished. Francs
will have her troubles. Likewise
England. But Italy-Russia-have
vomited. They feel better"
Italy and Communism
He sat down to arrange soma
notes his secretary had given him.
I remained standing. From my
vantage point I looked down on a
bald head, with a fringe of hair at
the back partially hiding a large
wen.
"Is Germany finished with COM
munism?" I asked.
mo, Germany has much to go
through with yet. Communism" he
continued, lis spasln which con-
vulses nation and leaves it feeling
better for the experience. Men and
women suffer changes in their lives.
So do nations"
II Duce did not realize at that
time-twenty years ago-how pro-
phetic he was. Perhaps today, az
he sits forlorn, he realizes it.
In response to another question,
II Duce went on to tell how he had
brought prices down in Italy, an
experience somewhat similar to
FDR's current problems of the price
roll-back. Only Mussolini used diff
ferent methods.
prices must come down, I told my
people-by force If necessary. Next
morning my black shirts appeared
in the market place and they forced
the prices down."
Mussolini did not add that they
forced down prices by splitting vege-
tables into the streets. Nor did he
explain that very soon farmers
found that it was more profitable
to keep their produce at home, so
that vegetables disappeared from
the market altogether.
"Is it still necessary to use force
in reforming Italy?" asked.
NO. was his decisive reply.
force has not accomplished as much
as the spirit of sacrifice
Perhaps if Mussolini had stuck to
that last statement Italy would not
have used force to conquer Ethio-
pia, would not have shattered tbs
peace machinery Of the League,
would not have headed the world
toward war, and today he would not
be friendless, despised, lonely old
man.
Copyright, 1913, by United Features
Syndicate, Incl