MUSSOLINI’S HEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1926, Page 2

MUSSOLINI’S HEALTH

RUMOURS RAMPANT. THE I‘RESS MUZZLED. | Australian A N.Z. Cable Association.] ROME, February 23. Signor Mussolini’s health, and. the possibility of his suffering a physical breakdown are topics of general discussion. Lady Drummond Hay, the press correspondent who recently interviewed Signor Mussolini, sent a message by courier to the frontier, thus avoiding the Italian censorship.

She says: “The question ol whether Signor Mussolini is a sick mail is being bandied from mouth to mouth. It is said that Signor .Mussolini is racing against time to cheat his shortening days. Though the matter is one of international importance, the muzzled press is not allowed to broach the subject. and the Fascist propaganda insists that, the Dictator is ill good health. Signor Mussolini’s astounding achievements are rapidly approaching the superhuman, lie is the Dictator, the Fascist leader, tie Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the .Minister of War, the Minister of Marine nil in one. In desperation, he steals the night hours in order to lengthen his over-crowded days. His photographs say that .Mussolini is much thinner. His Fascist friends admit that his features are often ashy green, and iaee haggard, owing lo the strict diet. ]fo often says: “I am hungry I” Milk, soup and vegetables are not lood ior a mail of Signor Mussolini's all-consuming mentality (says Lady Drummond Hay). Nevertheless the Dictator grimly gives the lie to the rumours of his sickness by his abnormal energy. His long-im-pending operation lias been declared unnecessary for the present. Apart from the rumours of illness, there are rumours that Mussolini s vacillating mentality will give his enemies terriffic weapons. II is sickness is being used as an excuse lor his recent outburst against Germany, of which many Italians disapprove.