HERR DUCE—OR THE HORSE AND THE MAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 4

HERR DUCE—OR THE HORSE AND THE MAN

""piIE combination of German and Italian in the title of this article looks like a contradiction, for history records that the traditional enemies of the Italians are the Germans. Why, then, Herr Duce?

There is no lack of evidence that the Italian people are not with Mussolini in his Rome-Berlin axis policy. It is a policy which promise more loss than gain, for even should the axis win the war, Germany would demand two things: one, a dominant economic position in the Balkans, and two, the ports of Trieste and Fiume on the Adriatic, in order to give Lower Austria and the German-dominated Balkans a Mediterranean opening. Italy’s position would then be far less satisfactory than it was before the war commenced. Many Italians hold the view that it would be more satisfactory for them if the axis were defeated, because it would release Italy from the German yoke and bring down the Fascist regime. This view is also held strongly throughout Italy, and evidently Hitler appreciates this fact at its true worth. Hitler, then, must support Mussolini against a very large section of the Italian people.

The German solicitude for the safety of Mussolini was macle manifest when the latter was presented with a German-made armoured railear, complete with Nazi crew; but more emblematic of Mussolini’s present position was his riding of an Hanoverian horse over the jumps, as evidence of his not being ill. Mussolini’s conduct recalls the French proverb: “He who excuses himself accuses himself,” and the fact that Herr Duce had to make such a demonstration speaks volumes. It may, notwithstanding Herr Duce’s performance, be permissible to enquire in how far it was a test of the efficiency of the horse which he rode, and why a German horse was chosen for the task. The enquiries would be pertinent, as would also the further one whether he could have retained his seat on an Italian mount. Those who can see portents, may see one in this, the most recent exposition of Mussolini’s equestrian skill—or of the horse’s.