THE STATE OF ITALY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20215, 18 April 1931, Page 19

THE STATE OF ITALY.

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shape of contradictions. At one point it says: —"Although the heading read —'The State of Italy'—the letter, said nothing concerning my statements about Fascism, except quoting-'poor' Lady Houston's opinion." It follows with:— " . . the whole remainder of the letter is purely and simply a personal attack against myself by ridiculing the general contents of certain letters of mine whicfi have appeared in your journal from time to time." (That speaks of Fascism.) Then with regard to—"I am proud to say that any ideas which I have expressed in the Press are the results of life experience and thinking. I would like to state that this literary and deepthinking sago should not express himself thus,' owing to the fact that 26 years have/ elapsed since he left his country, and consequently cannot speak of "life experience" in matters' that require a personal contact with the different phases ot internal national affairs. It is, indeed, laughable, the statement made by him on taxes paid yearly by Mussolini. On speaking of the round gum of £2OOO, the cleve* and deepthinking Colonna omits stating that £ in Italian means 1 lira, approximately 21 pennies, and that there are .92 Italian liras to the English £. Thus Mussolini's taxation is a little over £.20 per annum. His statement that "every Italian Premier who has passed away has died a poor man" is incorrect, because the following Premiers, as far back in Italy's political history as the thinking Colonna can remember, have made a wonderful gold mipo out of their portfolios: Giolitti, Facta, Tittoni, Salandra, Nitti. The latter in 18 months was clever enough to bank in England (not in Italy, though, for. he lenew that all otherwise would have been lost with the crashing, inevitable, of his wonderful political castles) the magnificent, round, neat sum of £IOO,OOO in English sovereigns. If H. Colonna disregards "poor" Lady Houston's opinion about Mussolini, perhaps he will take notice what that column of knowledge, Lprd Bothermere, says:—"My decisive support of the Pacist regime is principally based upon the substantial knowledge that Fascism has restored order in Italian finances. As a consequence of its realisations, Fapqsm has re-established Italy's credit at a level never dreamt before. _ The Government of Benito Mussolini is not a Government of procrastination, as in our country, but it is a regime that will face and solve immediately national problems." The "Epoca," a leading paper of Bucarest (5/3/31), says:—"Today, more than ever, our patriots could learn from Mussolini what it means to completely consecrate oneself to the welfare of-the Motherland.'? I think, Mr Editor, that, although I could produce more positive and tangible facts to repel &nd quash H- Colonna's distorted statements, fruits of a,, subtle propaganda, I have said enough, but with regard to my accepting a challenge to a public debate I will reply; "Yes, 'when Mr. Colonna will produce a discharge from the Italian Army, or will show positive proofs of having done his dwty> 8 s soldier, on behalf of his adopted country during the Great War." Then, only then, I wijl descend injo the arena. I would finally remind H. Colonna of Cicero in his Catilinaria:—"Qupusque tandein ,ab»tere, Catilina, paticntia nostra?"—Yours, etc., April 17th, 1931. .COMMON SENSE. P.S.—So far as I am concerned this Correspondence ceases pntil H. Colonna has supplied the Editor wjtfr the open* ments asked for.—"Common Sense.'