ITALY: Dictator No More

The full powers which made Premier Benito Mussolini Dictator of his country, came to an end with the passing of the old year.

Did the people cheer and clap? No! There was little enthusiasm and much dread evinced at the thought of a return to parliamentary government. Thousands of people in thousands of letters and telegrams urged the Premier to “carry on” as Dictator.

Benito remained silent and inscrutable. He was expected momentarily to make a statement on his future political plans.

Meanwhile, the Giornale d’Italia said of ex-Premier Giolitti: “Certainly Signor Giolitti is not in Rome to admire the snow-covered city. Signor Giolitti has but one passion, that passion is politics.”