A friend, however, is said to have gone to him
and said, " Mussolini, I am at heart a stronger Republican than you are ; but be advised. Do not. attempt to set up a Republic. That would mean civil war and the setting of one part of the nation against the other, and so the ruin of Italy." Mussolini received the advice in silence, and remained for a time without answering. Then came his decision. " You are right. I give up the idea of the Republic if it will divide Italy and so destroy her welfare." Then, like the big man he is, Mussolini threw himself whole-heartedly on the side of the Monarchy, and hat maintained that policy with a growing sense that Kingship is what divides Italy least. He must now take a similar resolve. He must make up his mind that in Italy's present mood, if he remains a thick-and-thin Fascist, Italy will be in peril. He must boldly let his followers know that, though he has a use for the bindings of Fascismo when it keeps the rods together, he has none for a broken bundle. Nothing could be better than the words of the blind deputy: " Take the axe out of the bundle, Mussolini, and strike with it." * *
Previous page
