There seems little reason to doubt, after this, that Signor
Mussolini's franchise scheme will in the main become law. It is a remarkable project, for the whole of Italy is in effect to be treated as a single constituency, and the Fascisti, if, as they confidently assume, they obtain a majority of the votes cast, will secure a dis- proportionately large majority of the seats. The Premier has indicated that the details are subject to modification, perhaps by arrangement with the " Populars," whom he is obviously anxious to conciliate. The effect, however, would be fully to legalize and to render permanent the revolution which Signor Mussolini and his followers have carried out. We must await the results before we can judge of the practical efficacy of his policy—for Italy. To the principle involved, that of dictatorship, we are, of course, wholly opposed. Dictatorship is a dangerously large dose of ardent spirit given to a patient with a haemorrhage. It may seem to do him good at the time, but it is really lowering his vitality and impairing his chance of recovery.
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