Mussolini as revealed in his political speeches (November 1914-August 1923)Mussolini, Benito
History
Mussolini as revealed in his political speeches (November 1914-August 1923)
Mussolini, Benito
Fascism -- Italy; Italy -- Politics and government -- 1914-1945; Mussolini, Benito, 1883-1945; Partito nazionale fascista (Italy)
It is necessary to have the courage to say that Italy cannot remain for
ever penned up in one sea, even if it is the Adriatic. Beyond the
Adriatic there is the Mediterranean and other seas which can interest
us. The Treaty of Rapallo was, in my opinion, a lamentable transaction,
which was the result of a difficult internal situation and of a foreign
policy which was not marked by its excessive autonomy. And here allow me
to repeat that a strong and dignified foreign policy cannot be carried
out if the nation does not present a daily example of iron discipline.
(Approval.) I do not think that these Agreements of Santa Margherita
sign the death warrant of Zara and Dalmatia. With the last concessions
we have saved the use of the Italian language for our brothers there.
Now I think it was Gioberti who said that where the language is spoken
there is the nation. For this reason, if these brothers of ours can
speak, write and learn in their mother tongue, I think that already one
of the foundations of their Italian nationality is saved.
For a decade the Italians of Zara and Dalmatia have resisted the furious
attempts at denationalisation made by the Hapsburg Monarchy. In those
days Italy could not give active assistance to those brothers; now you
see that she has another realisation of herself. Those brothers of ours,
who might have felt themselves forgotten if the Agreements of Santa
Margherita were applied by another nation, cannot feel the same when the
definite and necessary application of the Treaty of Rapallo is carried
out by the Government over which I have the honour of presiding and of
which the members are those who won the victory. (Applause.) We firmly
believe that the strict and scrupulous application of the Agreements of
Santa Margherita on our part, as well as on the part of Yugoslavia, will
save the Italian character of Zara and Dalmatia. There is no need for me
to repeat that treaties are transactions, and are like the steps of an
equilibrist. No treaty is eternal and perpetual; all that is happening
to-day under our eyes gives us clear warning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account