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)
_The State renewed._ The conditions of public order reached their zenith
of disintegration during the latter part of the year. In August there
was the anti-Fascista strike, which completely paralysed the State. This
had no effect; the Fascista forces, in its stead, obtained success. And,
from that time, I said that the two must be made one, and that since
that State was destitute of all the attributes of virility, while there
was a State in power which was rising with great strength and capable of
imposing discipline on the nation, it was indispensable for the rising
State to substitute itself, by a revolutionary movement, for the other
State which was declining. The August anti-Fascista strike was followed
by the Fascista occupation of the towns of Bologna and Bolzano. The
authority of the State was a complete ruin. There are no more reports of
labour conflicts in the papers now.
_The Chamber and the Conflicts._ I am sufficiently impartial to say that
in these last days there has been a slight recrudescence of trouble.
What is its cause? I tell you quite frankly: the reopening of the
Chamber. (Laughter.) The Chamber is the place of questions. By the
spectacle it offers to the nation it sows seeds of conflict and discord
amongst the impulsive and excitable masses.
Further, the attitude of a section of Italian Liberalism is a very
welcome piece of good fortune for the subversive elements, because they
constitute for them unhoped-for, unexpected allies, who blow enormous
bubbles, which I promise myself to prick with the pin of logic and
sincerity before closing my speech. (Assent.) Then perhaps there is
this, that certain gentlemen, when they found out that they had not to
fear the law of Fascismo or that of the Government, which is slower
because it is bound to move in accordance with legal procedure, resumed
their bold attitude.
_Elimination of the Subversive Elements._ The measures adopted to
restore public order are: First of all the elimination of the so-called
subversive elements. There was much clamour after the hauling in of the
nets, but in reality it was only a very small affair. Of two thousand
who were arrested, those who are still in gaol do not reach the figure
of one hundred and fifty. They are in the hands of the judges. They were
elements of disorder and subversion. On the morrow of each conflict I
gave the categorical order to confiscate the largest possible number of
weapons of every sort and kind. This confiscation, which continues with
the utmost energy, has given satisfactory results. (Assent.) I had to
repress every illegal act.
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