Publish Date: July 12, 1926
Cover Story: Sanguinary Omens
How TIME Covered the News: As Italy’s fascist leader, Benito Mussolini seized power in 1926 and promptly committed to enacting widespread nationalist and protectionist reforms in his role as “Il Duce,” the supreme leader of the nation. It’s hardly a surprise, then, that such a fearless leader took a particular liking to a tiger cub, named “Italia Bella,” which he received from a group of admirers.
“Well might Signor Mussolini sneer. When attempts were made by the pre-Fascist regime to curb his reckless individualism as editor of II Popolo d’ltalia, he responded to restraint by purchasing a supply of bombs and hurling them when assaults were made upon his editorial sanctum. If Italian editors of today are less resourceful, they are like to smart for their lack of vigor.”