Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1923, Page 8

8 THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, DECEMBER 23, 1923—PART 1. Americans Will Be Future Leaders of World Civilization, Says Mussolini of Italy Visioning Coming Era of Arts BY MARIA SERMOLINO. 6 NTERVIEW Mussolin cabled to me. Direct, simple, no possibility of misunder- standing, but Mussolini is . . . MU SOLINI! Furthermore, he was leav- ing Rome the following day on a tour of cities in northern TtaJy in cele- bration of the anniversary of the march on Rome. I had to work quickly At Palazzo Chigi, the magn Luilding on Plazza Venezia which was built by the Venetian republic| ministers she sent to: his chief of staff, Com- | 1o house the Rome, T saw mendatore Barone Russo “Wait. T'll be back presently,” and t he went. 3 or five minutes I caressed the soft, thick carpet under my feet, admired the frescoes on the ceiling and tried to keep from worrying as to what would happen to me. Then he re- turned. “You are a luckv girl. The. duce (pronounced du-chay and means leader) will see you at once. T followed him, for 1 soon.found myself on the threshold of an open door which led into a great salon. T peeked in timidly walked in, Qown toward two figures 1 saw standing in the farther end of the When T got within a few ts T stood There be- the Musso- of the min- sl h fascist stood prime fare ister of 1 1 looked monpluce table, the ¢ my eyes re Boots, fn an they were Queer. Whose elsewt more thlng window. the r. the carpet, and then ted on a pair of boots. office? Funny. And were they? Not ntly found I was staring the duce. Yes, the boote He was dressed in a rid- 1 remembered he rode for every morning before Palazzo Chigi. That matter of fact. and gave me the the figure and pres boldly were h ing habit. A half hour coming to seemed human, somehow the thought Be contemplate \ding before me. t cou Stands as for a Pleture. He stood there erect. still, as though | exposure. He wore a mask of severity over his face. and I because it seemed con- stern expression neve listened attentively to what the young officer saying to him When he opened his mouth to snswer he seemed like a stage charac- talking; his answer was explicit, nite, in finished sentences. He «poke @s few people write. The offi- cer saluted, lef!, and Mussolini turned squarely toward me. “Who are you?' There are a lot of nice ways of asking strangers to intro- duce themselves, but evidently Musso- 1ni believes in violent, direct methods. He thundered the words me and seowled. T told him who T was “What do vou want?’ My, what a temper, and how flerce he looked! Te stared at with penetrating brown eves almost defying me to talk. T hate to admit it, but T stammered as I answered, “Fascismo has now been a vear in power. What has it accomplished? Would that T had never asked the question! Ha turned on his heel and walked away from me. Then. abruptly. a8 he reached the massive table upon which were piled books and papers, he looked up and said, intelligent merson ought to know t Can't you Can't vou read? We have done uch,” and he seemed an- one should dare ask estior 1 insisted, fascismo’s “mask’ i as he scioy changed at his sen? foolish ¢ it what greatest accomplish Fascists Make 1,835 New “Wae have made 1.635 new laws.” He ved his hand as if that would dis- miss the subject “But ** * didn’t Italy have too many aws on the books which she didn't en- force?” How did T ever dare say it? It might have been the proper remark for one m © to have made to another, but for a litt significant journalist trying to a favor. how undiplo- matic! Mussolini dropped the memorandum he had picked up from the table and as he looked at me T felt that he really saw for the first time. His look meemed less severe. He moistened his 1ips, sort of jerked his meck up out of his collar (which T later discovered iy a characteristio gesture) and in a softer tona a “You are rizht. but we have also en- forced many laws. * ¢ ® I hear that you want to o the sp mea to e nws. rino tomorrow T iwad hoped to “Are vou Ttalian?” “'No, Ame: n You speak Ttalian very 'Thank you.” k mo four or five questions. Now No, not now. 1w row night on the tra “Good-bye™” shake cr friendl 1 was dismissed. Arrivederc gestura of any sort Trouble in Reaching Train. Getting on the train wa atter. T had no crede €, NO spe- efal ticket. Plain-cloties men and fascisti guards tried to har the way hut 1 told them so econvincingly_that Mussolini was waiting f¢ that ey surrendered. T got into a first-class compart a simple = WHEN YOU NEED A KEY ® You need our instant dupli- cating service. Duplicate key, 25c. Those were the instructions | com- | pped by riding breeches. | Furtively 1 raised my eyes, | | | cent | ! | | | 1 ! Italy and An | complete each otl i 1t is, the America ard guide its politics should crica are two Italian_nation. Tt is nece and as the train pulled out of the sta- | tion amid the cheers of the select few who had been let ffito the secret of when the special presidential train: would leave I felt that an adventure ! was beginning. When Barone Russo announced that | ithe president (as Mussolini is often | called) would see me for five minutes I felt desperate. 1 would go, dutifull ask my five questions and then run. My entrance into the presidential suite was abrupt. The train jerked as 1 crossed the threshold and T stumbled } ungracefully right before the duce. |} Perhaps that was a bit of luck, for it! made him smile. He was sitting on a couch against the wall behind a small j square table. “Good evening Come here and sit down,” and the duce motioned to the place beside him on the couch. His greeting was friendly and almost cheer- ful. so much so that I dared accept the invitation and sat right down beside him » ““Have you brought your questions?" he asked. “What it you want to know “Work, Order, Dixctpline.” 1 began with question number one. “What do vou consider fascismo's greatest achievement in its vear ot powe: He set his thoughtfully, | | i ‘ mouth. stared ahead! swallowed, and then | turned toward me, pointing his finger at the pencil 1 had in my hand as though ordering it to write cismo has given Italy u new consciousness of work, order and dis- ciplin He hammered the words out slowly | “How has she achieved this? “Why do you ask? America is not in- terested in details. e sees only the | black shirt in fascisco, the pictur- | esquc, romantic side. She knows noth- ing about the fire, spirit and enthu- siasm which animate the movement She Is a great big child whose imagi- nation is stirred by the dramatic out- ward manifestations of fascismo. | That is all she knows and all she| cares. “Does she know that Italy today working and producing? That unem ployment has been diminfshed to th minimum in normal times? That of! 1,600 laws passed In a year many are | in force and working admirably? That | we have rgorganized our army and| navy so that they will not be a negligi- | ble factor when Italy’s affairs are pon- sidered” Your pacifistically inclined Americans will not like this, but we are proud of it.” He ended his statement with a defi- nite finality which made it hard to con- tinue. He t there rigid, erect, star- Portland Hotel Dining Room 14th and Thomas Circle Luncheon la carte. 1 to 2:30 P.M. Dinner 0 to 8 P.M. Table d’ hote. $1.00 by Sol Minster A and without a hand-| | your locks to the shop.| Brin% URNER & CLARK Basement. 1233 New York Ave. We have a number of very attractive houses and apartments for rent. Consult our lists. McKeever & Goss M. 4752 1415 Eye St. N.W. Christmas ‘A Globe-Wernicke Sectional Bookcase Is Ideal It compliments both the intelligence of the one who receives it, and the one who gives it! TheGlobe 1218-1220 F St. i WernickeCo. l Message 'to the American People countric cfore. necessary that those tion wwhich has asserted itsclf in rece sary to kwow each other lo collaborate together. types of cizilization can be fused into a superior synthesis. {brown | continent. | months apart as then, but now destined to a lo mold the public opmion of understand the profound transfor nt tim ra- s in the historic climb of th The two man ing ahead. not moving except occa- sionally to molsten his lips or jerk his neck. His attitude was almost a chal- lenge. His attitude was almost a chal- lenge. “Here I am Interview me if vou can.” 1 Jumped to question number two. “There is much talk about a Latin | bloc. Is Italy interested Rome Would Be Heart of Blo. He shrugged would not answer. Is there such a sisted “Who me his shoulders and | tendency” 1 in- | knows?' and he looked at with his penetrating, bulg: eyes. Then, with emphast If there should be such a bloc Rome would be its center.” I tried to get more information, but he did not even acknowledge my | questions “And Fiume?" “Why should 1 talk America about Fiume? She could not under- stand. Americans have an extensive mentality, like their continent. They | can only view things in a vast, broad Wway. A port to them can only mean a big throbbing city like New York, Boston, Philadelphia. San Franclsco, with miles of docks and scores of ships putting *into port every da Filume is a little. unpretentious city with 60,000 inhabitants. To an Ameri- can it is inconceivable that any na- tion should make a fuss over a thing so insignificant. To us and to.all the | nations on the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Fiume is important, and it is likewise important that the question be justly solved. “America Is far away and will not make the mental effort necessary to bridge the gap between her and the Until she does that she | cannot understand Europe’s problems | as she should.” “Then you think she should inter- fere in European affairs?’ T asked ’ He Wants America in E; es!” emphatically. “Why will America continue to consider the ocean as a great barrier between the two continents as in the days of Co- lumbus? Her aloof, detached atti- tude would be justified if we were a few hours and our thoughts are in- terchanged, a few days and distance eliminated. America will learn | that Europe’s interests are hers. It | is a pity she is not learning sooner.” “What do you suggest as the best method for American pafticipation in is i thing—and then Isurance with which the: P verg | ing j children are. European affairs?” him on. “I make no suggestions. The form her participation takes matters little. The time is more important, but she is not ready for the big leadership vet. T have great faith in the Ameri- can people as the future leaders of civilization, but that cannot be for another thirty-five or forty years. At present they are too engrossed with their own mechanical commer- clal development. They are rapidly reaching the climax of this de- velopment—a marvelous, stupendous they will turn to other things. With the same thor- oughness, initiative and youthful as- conquered the material world they will tackle poetry, literature, music, and give the world the greatest art of all times.” The artistic prospects of America thrilled him. He was a different Mussolini. He hammered his words less and spoke with enthusiasm, with animation. His severe eyes softened and sparkled with interest. I tried to get him back on the question of international politics, but he would not follow. He returned to art and America and soon I found I was tell- ing him what I knew about the artistic inclinations and achievemen of my fellow countrymen. The beginning to melt was becoming human 1 tried to lead e- The was statesman Talks of an American Renalssance, “Those wio accuse America of be- artistic are devoid of imagina- tion” he continued. ‘“America is working out her antistic conscious- ness. You have there two distinct tendencies—your simplicity, refresh- ing childishness, almost primitiveness fu all things emotional, and your ultra-modernity in the mechanical flelds. Consider a fusion of these two elements. What a startling combina- tion! Think of what it will give us. }Today vou are still intellectual chil- "aren. No, don’t write that,” and he placed his hand over the pad I had in my lap, “it would offend you, but I do not mean it as an offense. It You are young. You are sentimenta You are spontaneous in your joys as Your minds are open to new creeds and dogmas. Nothing thrills you as much as novelty. To- day it is the black-shirted fascisti. Tomorrow Pirandello.” The duce is well informed He spends an hour every morning skim- ming over scores of newspapers from all ountries and the news that Pirandellismo had become almost a cult in America had not escaped him. “That is natural,” he went on, “for the theater of Pirandello has a primi- tive appeal. Marionettes attract the fancy of children. Rirandello’s plays are intellectual puppet shows. Splen- did. 1 like ‘them,” and he smiled. He was glad to be considered among the primitives who appreciate Piran- dello. “Have you seen Pirandello’'s IV'?" he asked. I nodded with enthusiasm *“That is the play I like best he volunteered. “Hu different from the bourgeois theater, with its eterna triangle, with the same complica. tions which always end in the same way, with the same pseudo-human beihgs as characters. At times I try to go to some of these normal plays but T cannot tolerate them. They are too stupid. Pirandello is full of sur- prises, like fireworks for the mind,” and with his hands the duce gave an animated imitation of fireworks popping He Wanted Three Pieces of Cake. Henry He smiled broadly and we chatted on about players and singers, auto- mobiles, roads and pastry. 1 found out that the duce is a reckless driver; and spins around a curve two wheel. that he considers on Designers and Munumcturers of DESIRABLE SHOWROOMS FOR RENT 1622 H Street In the Rapidly Improving Section of Seventeenth & H Streets STORY & CO. GIVE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL ONE xpert DAY Service Electric Lights Irons Toasters Waffle Irons Carling Irons Grills Hot Plates Heat Pads Percolators Stoves Lamps of All Descriptions C. A. MUDDIMAN CO. 709 13th St. NW. One Doer MAIN % private function which one ought to perform alone; that he believes in God and has not been to see the Pope; that he would have asked for a third help- ing of the cake they served on the train that night had he not been afraid of the bad example in economy ‘he would have set the waiter; that he thought I was a wonderful girl be- cause I spoke to him in' his own dialect; that he knew enough English to use “all right” fluently. 1 had forgotten long ago that T was interviewing Benito Muasolini, prime minister of Italy, duce of the fascisti, fdol of a nation. Quite naturally I had turned sideways on the couch pulled my right leg up und sat on my right foot as the left hung and dangled with the rhythm of the train. We were laughing over an anecdqte in the "“Travaso” a hu- merous weekly published in Rome, {when the duce noticed the reprint of a disparaging remark about the fas- cist! which had appeared In an American publication. “It is @ pity America does not un- derstand us,” he said serlously, al- most with a hurt tone, “Well, don't you think it Is your own fault, just a little?” I could talk that way to him jiow quite naturally. We were old pals. “Why don't you give me a message to the Americans? Tell them how you feel about it, in your own words. They are good sports and ready lis- teners, but you never speak to then I 1eally felt T was making a helpful suggestion. “Her: and 1 handed nhim a pencil d sheet of paper. { “Write down how you feel about it.” | My suggestion amused him, for he | pushea my 1 and smiled {No, he actu i | | rer aside laughed He Promises n Messuge. he answered, “not now 1t is too late. Look.” and he showed me his watch. “it s half past ten. Time to go to bed. Have you a com- partment n the sleeping car?’ I shook my head. “No? Well, you must have one.” He rang for an attendant. *The sig- norina here has no compartment. See that one is given to her.” g “There are no more, Your excel- lency,” the attendant answered. “That does not matter. She must have one”” With that the attendant was dismissed “Good nlght,” He shook hands with me. T hope you have enough material for ¥ article.” “Yes, thank you, but the Please, won't you write for me,” T pleaded “Not now. Tomorrow, Derhaps. Let me see”” and he looked at the morrow’s program which lay on the table. “Come to the prefecture at 2 o'clock and you shall have your mes- sage. Good night” We shook hands cordially triends, Promptly the day 1 the waiting room of Mussolin hotel. I sent in my card and Chiavo- lini, the duce’s personal secrtary came out to usher me in to the duce's sitting room. There was the | seated at a table, a plaln white sheet in front of him { “Give me a pen,” he asked abruptly Chiavolini handed him his. The {duce began to write, energetically, | rapidly, in his big illegible charac- ers. He wrote four or five lines hen, with a snort, he threw the pen violently away so that it hit the wall at the other end of the room “The devil take these infernal ma- chines.” he exclaimed. “Dirty your hands and never work. Give a pen that will write” “No. no,” ssage? something old like next was duce, me He Writes the Measage. h ry With the pen hesitating which another handed him he R JOIN OUR 50 cents a week, for 50 weeks §1.00 a week, for 50 weeks $2.00 a week, for 50 weeks. §5.00 a week, for 50 weeks. . $2 ... $5 . $10 . $25 W) 2 N A Splendid mailing list. They wi hand news from Wash Je Ao e kg Aok o o A A sk ke ok ke dob 12 months 12 months ......... Dai 12 months ......... Sunda; .12 months ......... 0.2.8.8.8.6 .9 ¢ 4 4 An appropriate %**** An Attractive Method of Saving— SAVINGS CLUB Citizens Savings Bank 1336 New York Avenue 2.8 8 8.8 8 0.2.2.0.8.2.0.8.8 2000082204 e the folks away from home a subscription to The Coening Star The Sunday Star —and instruct us to enter their names on our and thank you heartily for the remembrance. Subscription rates—inctuding postage: MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA Daily and Sunday ALL OTHER STATES Daily and Sunday notifying of your instructions NN continued in bold sharp strokes to| the end of the sheet, signed his name, lifted the sheet, read it and handed it to me. “There,” he said. *“Tell the Ameri- can people we will be grateful if they try to understand us. Tell them some of the things you have seen in Italy. Tell them the truth, that is all.” thanked the duce and walked away triumphantly with my docu- ment. 1 had hoped he would give me a signed statement and instead I was walking away with a whole page manuscript, written by hand, for me, for my American readers, by the duce himself! Little wonder the secretaries, diplomats, ministers I had met on the train crowded about m'e and congratulated me as I came out with my manuscript message. They wondered how I had managed it. They complimented me and they laughed and teased me. Some even hinted that I had bewitched the duce, so marvelous did they consider my achievecent. T was happy, jubilant. But really, the whole thing seemed to simple. 1 had merely used Ameri- can methods and succeeded—com- monsense, directness and persever. ance—and I had had the luck to be dealing with Benito Mussolini, a man who keeps his word. (Copyright, 1923, in United States and Great Britain, ' Japan and South America by North American , All right | RUM FLEET AT CHICAGO. Reported Ready to Land at W. C. T. U. Birthplace. | CHICAC December 2; Evanston, | iome of the Women's Christian Tem- | perance Union, is threatened with in- vasion by a rum fleet, it became known tonight, when Prohibition Di- rector Owens ordered Capt. Moore, lighthouse keeper, and Commandant I Frisk of the Evanston coast guard to earch all vessels attempting to land argoes there. The orders were issued after a re- port had reached the prohibition office that a cargo of llquor was en route by water from Canada, and that an attempt would be made to land from small craft on the Evanston lake front. MISSING WOMAN FOUND. YORK, December 22—Mrs. Katherine Ethier, for whom police have been searching since her re- iported disappearance on Wednesday, us found in & sanatorium today where she had been placed for obser- vation after her arrest on a charge {of shoplifting. She formerly lived n Los Angeles “Claflin Spex To make you see, Our Home Is Thirteen-Fourteen G” CLAFLIN OPTICAL CO. ity Club Bldg. e Service | what we stress land it's something for |which the Colbert or- |ganization enjoys the {widest sort of repute. | New Roofs laid. Gut- Itering and Downspouts linstalled—and Repair- ing at the most Rea [5(mable Prices bes {work permits. MAURICE J. COLBERT Heating— Plumbing—Tinning =621 F Street Fhone Mnin 16-3017 i NEW | i Ul llllll:=‘. 222 CHRISTMAS 270 5 0 0 0 % 7% Z % Interest Pald MY, W % Xmas Gift ill enjoy reading first- ington day after day— Daily Sunday . Only $7.00 card be sent e *x WOMAN ACQUITTED IN HUSBAND’S DEATH Admitted Crushing Man's Skull With Ax—Escapes on Self- Defense Plea. 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