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Vatican, said in 1936 that all the world has been forced to admirethe success of Premier Mussolini "in disciplining the nation." Hedid not use the word Ethiopia, but he told a dinner audience that"today a new Italian Empire faces the future and takes up its responsibilitiesas the guardian and administrator of an alien backwardnation of 10,000,000 souls." 7When Mussolini wrote his autobiography he did so at the instanceand prodding of one of his most devoted admirers, the United StatesAmbassador to Italy, the late Richard Washburn Child, who hadbeen in Italy during a considerable part of the whole fascist episodeand knew it at first hand. 8 When the book appeared it contained afulsome preface by the Ambassador, just as another book by CountVolpi, Mussolini's Finance Minister, on the glories of Italian fascistfinance, carried a complimentary preface by Mr. Thomas W. Lamont.9Mr. Sol Bloom, now chairman of the Foreign Relations Committeeof the House of Representatives, said on the floor of the HouseJanuary 14, 1926:He [Mussolini] is something new and vital in the sluggish old veins ofEuropean politics. It will be a great thing not only for Italy but for all ofus if he succeeds.It is his inspiration, his determination, his constant toil that has literallyrejuvenated Italy and given her a second, a modern, Renaissance.He has taken nothing for himself, neither titles, money, palaces, norsocial position for his family. His salary is only . . . about $1,000 in Americanmoney.I can only compare Mussolini and his men to what would have happenedif the American Legion, led by a flaminghero, had become sick and wearyof trusts, of graft, of incompetence, of stupidity, and, feeling their youth,their intelligence, and their patriotism bursting within them, had organizedto demand the right to try their ideas of a sane and strict administration.Although bloodless, Mussolini's "revolution" has changed Italy for thebetter.You do not find any violence there and you do not find any strikes.7 New York Times, November 6, 1936.8 My Autobiography, by Benito Mussolini, Scribner, New York, 1928.°The Financial Reconstruction of Italy, by Count Volpi and Bonaldo Stringher, ItalianHistorical Society, New York, 1927.71