MUSSOLINI—HIS TASK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1064, 30 August 1930, Page 27

MUSSOLINI—HIS TASK

A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH IL DUCE “TELL WORLD I WANT PEACE” My appointment with 11 Duce was fixed for six o’clock in the evening (writes Major E. W. Polson-Newman, in the “Observer”). Shortly before the appointed time I drove up to the Palazzo Venezia, presented my permit, without which entry to the closely-guarded precincts is impossible, and was escorted up an ancient and slippery stone staircase to the ante-chamber of II Capo del Governo. At a few minutes to the hour I was seated in a heavy oak chair, the only occupant of (his dimly-lighted apartment of the ancient Roman palace. A heavy silence pervaded the building, and Die harsh hooting of the Ro-me taxis seemed miles away. A smartly-uniformed official opened a small door to look in, and then closed it again. . The whole setting was heavily impressive. Sharp at six o’clock the double doors were thrown open, and I was ushered through a spacious council chamber to a door held open by another official. Suddenly I found myself in a vast marble apartment with a slippery marble floor, at the far end of which —about 20 yards away—sat Mussolini alone at. his writing-desk. 1 knew of this form of reception, and so was prepared for it, hut I was not prepared for the very kind and human attitude of the brilliant leader of the Italian nation. Mussolini the Man During the private part of our conversation Mussolini showed a keen interest and detailed knowledge of every subject raised, and whenever 1 mentioned the name of a mutual

friend or any subject of special interest to him his eyes lit up. There was none of the fierce autocrat in the man to whom I sat opposite. Although his statements were pronouncements of a man of power and his expression was one almost of inspiration, he often relapsed into simple humour and showed his love for human nature.

The following is the text of the interview which Signor Mussolini then gave me, and authorised for publication, taking the trouble to sign each page separately: “You ask whether my task is completed. It is making good progress, but I have not fully carried out what I undertook to do. I intend to remain at my post until my task shall he fulfilled, and, if necessary, until tny last breath.

“The Fascist system, which has been in force for eight years, is such that | a place has to be found for every small section of the population. Every j profession and trade must have its own ! particular niche, so that each may | contribute the maximum amount of

energy to the power and efficiency of the State. This means the co-ordina-tion of culture, industry, finance, national defence, agriculture, public health, and a host of other State activities. It means the realisation of all the human energy composing the life

of the nation. All this takes time to j achieve, and it must have my own J personal supervision. THE TRANSFORMATION OF ITALY “For the completion of the remain- I der of my task, Italy must have peace’, in which to carry out the all-important i work of internal progress. In many directions great work has already i been done, and is being done, to increase the cultivable areas of the 1 ' | country, in providing electrical energy Ito replace the absence of coal in, i Italy, and to improve conimunications. Toward these ends, the resources of men are being utilised to the fullest extent. All over Italy, marshes and swamps, which hitherto were centres of malaria, are being drained and made fit for the cultivation of crops. The results of this so-called bonifica ' policy in the last few years have been I most remarkable. Electrical power for transport, irrigation, and other ! purposes is being generated by a vast organisation of power stations in the fastnesses of the Alps, while use is even being made of underground sources of heat in certain districts near Venice. The annual crops are increasing year by year owing to the loyalty and industry of the Italian people, so that Italy is becoming more self-supporting, and can provide more and more employment for her increasing population. The country must be made as fertile as it can be made, it must yield the maximum crops, and it must feed and employ the maximum number of people. Nothing less will satisfy mo in this direction.

The Charge of Imperialism “For the internal progress vital to the welfare of the nation, peace is absolutely essential, although the geographical position of Italy makes it necessary that Italians should be prepared to defend their country against such potential enemies as exist to east and west. But Italy wishes to be on the best terms with all her neighbours. Even with the Austrians, who were among our bitterest enemies, we are now on the most friendly terms. Our enmity has been obliterated, and our differences no longer exist. There has been much VDk in many countries of the aggressive designs of Italy and of her imperialistic aims for the future. Those who give expression to such ideas merely show how little they appreciate Italy’s vital needs and the policy which it is essential that I should follow. The prestige of Italy and her position in the world have improved very considerably in recent years, but I hope to see a further improvement in this respect. Yet, to accomplish our object, we must have peace.

“Those who oppose Fascism do so because the means which I employ to achieve my purpose are at variance with their Liberal or Socialistic creeds. They condemn my methods, but they shut, their eyes to the results achieved in the last eight years. My policy is not aggressive, and you have my authority to tell the people in England and elsewhere that I want peace above all things.

“You ask whether I ever get tired. No, I cannot say that I ever do; but I so arrange my work that there is constant variation of subject, and I have to deal with so many subjects that one kind of work provides relief and recreation from the others. Then, I take a good deal of outdoor exercise. Every day I go riding, and I play football at home with my boys.”