We publish elsewhere an article of special interest on the
bloodless revolution which has just been accom- plished in Italy. The writer, Sir Pennell Rodd, our late Ambassador, not only knows Italy and Italian politics better than any man of this generation, but has always had the fullest sympathy with Italy and her aspirations. For that reason his article is specially welcome to the Spectator. Our record in regard to Italy during her early struggles for freedom and independence, and during her rise to be one of the Great Powers of the world, is, we venture to say, without a stain on it. One of our complaints against the late British Government was that they seemed inclined to adopt an attitude of half- ignorance and half-insolence towards Italy—an attitude none the less galling because it was no doubt not intended to be hostile in any real sense. The impression given was, we fear, that it did not much matter what Italy said, or did, or felt. The Spectator's devotion to, and respect for, Italy does not mean that we shall hesitate to speak out whenever we think her in the wrong. But we shall do so with a due sense of that national " dignity " on which Signor Mussolini lays so much stress. That is an emotional characteristic never to be forgotten in dealing with the Italian people—a great quality which it is foolish and ignorant to treat as " theatrical."
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