"No!"; "Yes!"; "Boo!"

In the democratic seats of Europe's mighty, such as London and Paris, there has been much talk lately of making "concessions" to Germany, partly to induce the Fatherland to return to the League of Nations. To Benito Mussolini, who has often been on the point of quitting the League in form as he has in spirit, this fact may have given pause. For if she were out of the League, Italy might secure "concessions" for rejoining the League, just as Germany may. Last week II Duce took characteristic action.

In Rome Fascists received notice to report at their local clubs. Thence 100,000 Blackshirts marched to the square in front of II Duce's famed Palazzo di Venezia. Repeatedly clearing his throat, Orator Mussolini declaimed from his balcony in a pouring rain:

"We have not forgotten and we will not forget the opprobrious attempt to throttle the Italian people [by Sanctions] that was perpetrated at Geneva. But some people thought that at a certain moment some nation [Britain or France] would wish to make a gesture of reparation [recognition of Italy's conquest of Ethiopia]. No nation made such a gesture or wishes to make such a gesture!"

Finally, having given his audience an adequate cue the Dictator asked his 100,000 Fascists whether Italy should remain in the League. "Shall it be inside?" he cried.

"No!" shouted the 100,000.

"Shall it be outside?"

"YES!"

"Now," bellowed Benito Mussolini, "we draw away from the tottering temple where they are not working for peace but paving the way for war! . . . The herds of the great Democracies leave us profoundly indifferent."

As usual, the moment II Duce uttered the word "Democracies," the whole 100,000 cried "BOO!"

It requires two years for any member state's notice of withdrawal from the League of Nations to become legally effective. But it did not appear that any great change had taken place in European affairs. In or out, neither Italy nor Mussolini is likely to be more or less recalcitrant to deal with.

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