The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1920. THE MODERN EMPEROR.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1920. THE MODERN EMPEROR.

When Mussolini, who lias been described as “the maker of modern Italy.” was fired on recently, and wounded slightly, there were, naturally many press notices of this model'll Emperor of Italy. Among the interesting matter published was the story of how Mussolini saved his country lrom the Reds, and the subject is not without interest to the world at large, and in any ease it is a. tale which is worth telling twice as ti reminder for vigilance and courage iii all nutioiial emer-n-omy. As a London writer remarked it is no exaggeration to say that Benito Mussolini is the saviour of modem Italy. "When he took over the Government at the head of the hascisti on October With. 1922, Italy was a country torn hv anarchy ; there was no

safety, discipline, or prosperity, and the very Government was paralysed, in a few years lie has brought Italy to the forefront of European nations and made her prosperous and happy. Undoubtedly his name must rank high among the famous patriots and statesmen of all time. Mussolini was horn in 18811, the soil of a blacksmith, and at the age of 20 was appointed editor of the advanced Socialist paper “Availti.” His youth was both poverty stricken and stormy, lie Was expelled from Switzerland, and after suffering imprisonment In Trelit was deported from Austria. He wits t‘egarded by the Socialists as olio of their chief leaders, and the fury of the ex tremists was- lbiboiindeil. wheii, oil the threat of war against Austria, Mussolini’s patriotism blazed up and he became a fervent orator oil behalf of his country. He joined the army as a private and rose to a sergeant, lie fought in the war with the most peek less courage and was severely wounded. The exhaustion caused by the war soon brought- about in Italy an anti-patriotic reaction, and Bolshevism first showed its head ill Milan four mnotlis after the Armistice. Mussolini and bis faithful blind of followers saw that the. ideals tlifey had fought for and the greater Italy they had achieved were iii danger, and on March 23rd. 1919, was held the first small meeting of the Fascisti, when 14i> men met together in a common resolve to save their motherland. In October 1922 Signor Facta, who had now become Prime Minister, asked .Mussolini whether be would accept the post of Minister without portfolio. Mussolini’s reply was typical : “A Minister without a portfolio, like poor Bissolnti; solidarity without autonomy, responsibility without power!” Not thus could lie be bought off, and. as we have seen, at the end of the same month he had turned out the Government which did not know how to govern and was the Prime Minister and the most powerful man iii Italy. Signor Mussolini’s activities during the three and a half years of bis Premiership, dul'ing which time lie hbeen virtually the Government of Italy—lie lias kept many of tlie great posts iii his own hands—are known to all the world. Never was a man so justified. His wisdom and his authority lmvo given Italy a new life, and lie litis gone on from strength to strength, consolidating the country, creating work for till, making Italy both great aiid rich.