Mussoliniland

P: According to Lincoln Steffens, American publicist, Mussolini likens the Fascisti to the Bolsheviki. The following words belong to Steffens, but the ideas are alleged to be Mussolini's : " Every country in the world has a throne, and every throne in the world is vacant; excepting only the thrones in Russia and Italy. No matter what the form of government is, be it a monarchy or be it a republic, there is sovereignty somewhere and a place for the ruler. But the ruler cannot be elected ruler. He can be elected president or premier, for, if he is elected, he cannot rule; not as a dictator. No, the only way to reach the throne is to seize it. How?

" Russia showed the way. The dictatorship of Russia was taken by the Bolsheviki, an armed minority, and the majority were glad. We Italians saw that, and so the dictatorship of Italy was taken by the Fascisti, a minority armed with force, and the majority, the great majority, almost all the people of Italy, were relieved and satisfied. They did not want to govern themselves. They wanted someone to take power and govern for them, and when I stepped up and said I would do it, the people of Italy sighed a sigh work, leaving me and my council to attend to the common business. If I don't do it, the Italians will get rid of me, but they will take on another dictator. Italy is a dictatorship for a long time to come, and the reason is that the Italians prefer that kind of government."

P:On April 21 (the 2,676th anniversary of the foundation of the Eternal City), Premier Mussolini issued a decree establishing the Italian Labor Day on that date instead of May 1. Thus the date of Rome's foundation becomes a national holiday.