Though there is probably ground for saying that the political
crisis in Italy is passing into a safer stage, there is still much doubt, perplexity, and anxiety. There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that Signor Mussolini stands at the moment like Hercules at the cross- roads and must make his choice. All friends of Italy, and wherever there is an Englishman there should be, and generally is, such a friend, will hope that his decision will not be to follow his old policy of standing by Fascismo right or wrong, but a new one of standing by Fascismo only when it is right. In other words, he must not let himself become the drudge of Fascismo, as Cromwell, to use his own bitter words, became " the drudge of the army." He must remodel Fascism° till it becomes rather an inspiring national spirit than an imperious movement external to the nation. There is a legend that when Mussolini had marched to Rome, sweeping aside, like another Caesar, the edict against the crossing of the Rubicon, he at first intended to set up a Republic.
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