194	THE   RISE   OF   ITALIAN   FASCISM
fact again at the National Council in April 1922, and took
advantage of it to impose his policy :
£ Our position is not startlingly good. The aura of
sympathy which surrounded us in 1921 has vanished.
We are opposed by Popolari, republicans, communists,
socialists, and democrats. We have got to keep up an
armed organization while preventing the squadristi
elements from becoming so strong that they can impose
their will on the political elements in control of fascism.
We must not even exclude the possibility of the fascists
co-operating with the powers of the state. We must
assert that the fascists will not hesitate to lend their men
to the government to-morrow, if the higher aims of the
state demand it.'
In his speech Mussolini did not reject the possibility of a
coup d'etat and a march on Rome, but he emphasized his
preference for a governmental coalition. The problem for
him, as for every real tactician, was that of time, and
conditions, as he pointed out, were not too favourable. To
go on fighting indefinitely against the reds, while remaining
outside the government, might become dangerous. What he
feared was that a sudden change in the situation might force
him to choose between collaboration and insurrection, at a
moment when he was not free to make the choice. His
constant fear was of being c too early * or e too late '. He
kept a close watch on daily events, always on the look out
for a fresh enemy to fight or a possible ally to be gained.
By the middle of 1922 Mussolini was no longer enjoying
the complete freedom of movement he always liked to possess.
Fascist development since 1919 had got rather out of hand.
Mussolini, who had simultaneously led and followed the
movement, found himself well to the right, although
reactionary forces and interests openly prevailed throughout
the movement. The c bolshevist' danger had been crushed
long since, and the masses were on the defensive, their
leaders scattered, incompetent or powerless. Fascism took
root precisely when it had no further excuse for existence, at
any rate as a reaction against working-class and socialist
* excesses ", and had turned into reaction pure and simple.