MUSSOLINI'S WORD

Opunake Times, 23 June 1939, Page 4

MUSSOLINI'S WORD

HIS ROLE OF THE FOX EXAMPL.ES OF lIYT'OGIUSY The Anglo-Italian Agreement is as dead as the Munich Agreement, writes J. B. Firth to the Daily Telegraph and Morning Post (London)). Whether it is officially denounced by the British Government matters little, for the document itself is in shreds and eiumot be repaired. .No British Government, whatever its complexion, should believe that the DuVe intends to keep an undertaking ~<■ a moment longer than it suits hit purpose. That is part of ms statecraft, and lie has never concealed the sources oJ ujs inspiration. "The only political wliter wortny to be studied by a statesman,' he has put on the record oi his strongest convictions, "is Machiaveili." Turn, therefore, to Mauhiavelli tc see where the Duce derives his priu ciples of honour, so far as they touch the art of statecraft: "A Prince that is wise and prudent cannot nor ought not to keep his parole, when the keeping of it is to _ his prejudice and the causes for which he promised, removed. Were men ail good, this Doctrine were not to be taught, but because they are wicked and not likely to be punctual (i.e.. punctilious) with you, you are not obliged to any such strictness with them. He that best personates the Fox has the better success. Nevertheless it is of great consequence to disguise your inclination and to play the Hypocrite well, and men are so simple in their temper and so submissive to their present necessities that he that is neat and cleanly in his

collusions shall never want people to practice them upon.' - ' ("The Prince," Chap. 18).

Mussolini Follows

Such is the doctrine of the Master, ami Signer Mussolini, one of his moat eminent disciples, has followed it to the letter. He has personated the Fox. He has been exceptionally 'neu: and cleanly in his collusions." He has not kept his parole a day langcr than no saw liia chance to break it to his advantage. Lord Mo'rley well said: "Maehiavelii is a contemporary of every age and a citizen of all countries."' "I am a democrat, like ' Julius Caesar," the Duco once boasted to an English interviewer. Julius Caesar's ideas of political morality had anticipated those of the Florentine. According to Suetonius, one of his favourite quotations was taken from Euripides: "If justice is ever to be violated, it should be for thy sake of Power. In all other matters, honours to the gods." As recently as March 23 the Duce put into the mouth of his Sovereign the hypocritical lie: "My relations with Albania are particularly friendly.'' To-day King Zog is a fugitive and an exile and his "Protector" is holding a grand military parade in his capital. In May, 1936, the Duce explained Italian policy with regard to Albania in an interview with the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. "Italy s policy in Albania is quite clear and absolutely straightforward. Its sole object is to preserve and to respect the independent state of this small country, which for centuries has lived in friendship with us." Also about the same time he said,: "The small Mediterranean States have nothing to fear from Italy; absolutely nothing.*' The Mania for Power Albania, being the smallest, may

have thought herself the safest. But in May of last year tho Duco entertained the Fuhrer in Eome and there, as was said at the time, they entered into an understanding with regard to me, this victory in East Africa puts Italy into the group of satisfied their respective interests in the Balkans —one of those "neat and cleanly collusions' which the Axis had been expressly formed to subserve. Other States, beside Albania, wondered, " Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss." "I want a gentleman's agreement," shouted the Duce, in 1936, to an | English correspondent, adding this ■ suave assurance: "I give you my word that people ' are wrong about Italy having any further colonial ambitions. Believe J Powers." Alas! The satisfaction has not been \ lasting. The hunger and thirst have returned. The Duce has gone back ! to tho old mood which was on him i when he told his official biographer to i take pen and write: "I am inflamed "by this mania for i power. It inflames, gnaws, and consumes me like a physical malady. I j want to make mv mart on hicto.'y j with m> will, like a lion with it? Claws.'" Only recently the lion was roaring for Tunis, Jibuti, and a draught of the waters of the Suez Canal. Baulkio of the larger prey, it has leaped upon Albania.