It is being said in general extenuation of Signor Mussolini's
speech that he always has to be thinking how he can retain popularity with his Fascist audience, and that his speech must be read in that context—not as a serious declaration on foreign affairs but as a tit-bit for home consumption. No doubt there is truth in this, and we are very willing to make all such allowances for a highly dramatized pronouncement in Italy as one used to make when Bismarck was diverting attention from home affairs by picking a temporary quarrel abroad or when the German gmperor was gratifying his vanity at the risk of the peace of the world. Moreover, Italians have not the British habit of understating facts. But when all has been said—and allowed—we shall never build up peace in Europe if we are so intent upon making allowances for other people that the importance of asserting a general standard of circumspect and _con- siderate language is forgotten. Signor Mussolini has fallen a long way below the standard that we have a right to expect.
