THE ROME OF THE FUTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17436, 7 April 1931, Page 9

THE ROME OF THE FUTURE

POPULATION OF 2,000,000MUSSOLINI'S AIM i ROME, Feb. 7. Rome, while restoring the ancient city in a way .which represents a great approximation to what it was in Augustus* time, is busy erecting the future metropolis. "It should have 2.000,030 inhabitants by 1950, according to the forecasts recently uttered by' the l'romier, .Signor Mussolini," a statement on the subject says: '-Home is now only -100,000 ill number behind her population under the emperors. The highest point reached by tho census of Augustus was 1,335,CO3, and tiiis mark was never afterward surpassed. From that figure 'under Augustus, the number decreased to 16.C00 when barbarians., burned lho metropolis, to 17,000 during the so-called (Babylonian captivity of the I'opo at Avignon, and to 20,CC3 when the troops of Charles V sacked .the city. "L'nder Napoleon, Home ha.d 117,000 people. In 1870, when the Topes were deprived of the temporal power,' the population was 2D3,0C0. The latest figures show that Rome his surpassed the SXO.OC'O mark. The problem of harmonizing the old and the new in Rome is being solved with the traditional sliill of Italian artists. "Five cities are in Rome : The Rome of the Caesars, the Home of the Popes, tho Koine, of the Renaissance, and the Homo of the su-ia.led ijmnuerun era, wincn is thi; Rome of monuments, buildings, public improvements constructed under' King Humbert I, so as to transform the city into the capital of the. new Toiled Kingdom of Italy, and finally the Koine of lascism. "The growth of population goes side by side with Koine's growth in national popularity. Every effort is now made by tho Italian Government to centre in Home the activities of Italy. Naturally Rome with so much responsibility towards the arl and culture of the world, with such different characteristics, with ' so many pagan glories and Christian monuments, can not look like any other ' city in the world. It has a classical profile which is that of the seven hills. lb has new sections which extend toward the Albiin mountains and the sea, with great masses of modern homes and 1 wreaths of magnificent, villas." • therefore if I come through It will bo by the grace of God." i Down to 6000. 4000. 2000 feet, and ; still in cloudland. Then into the clear air, and, below her, marshes and, to s her great joy, a railway, which she ; followed until sh<? CHUght sight of , Hanoi, speaking into the instrument: ! "I am siived. The time is fj o'clock. I am through the clouds, thank God. i I have been blown to tho other ■ direction, over Hanoi. Oh, I nm 111111111 l