_The High Grades of the National Militia._ There was another problem with regard to the National Militia: namely the necessity of filling the superior posts, to which had to be appointed men coming from the army with a large personal military experience; this necessity had to be harmonised with the gratitude due to the small heads of Fascista “squadrismo,” the body which, by leaving thousands of glorious dead, had crushed the subversive demagogic elements. We have solved this problem. All the ranks of superior officers above those of “Seniore” have been assigned to the officers coming from the regular army; all the inferior grades and those of sub-officers have been given to military men, to “squadristi” who had previously seen military life. Moreover, statistics are always worth more than speeches. Ninety-seven per cent. of the officers of the Militia having a rank superior to that of “Seniore” come from the officers of the regular army. Out of about two hundred and thirty officers superior to the rank of “Seniore,” six are decorated with the Military Order of Savoy, two with Gold Medals, one hundred and thirty with Silver Medals, eighty with Bronze Medals. As this is a day of explanations, even at the risk of abusing your patience, I must read the list of rewards bestowed on the Chiefs of the National Militia. _General Cesare De Bono_, Field Marshal of the regular army: three Silver Medals, special promotion for war services, “Croce di Guerra.” _General Gandolfo_, Field Marshal of the regular army: two Silver Medals, special promotion for war services. _Hon. Cesare Maria De Vecchi_: four Silver Medals, two Bronze Medals, two “Croci di Guerra.” _Italo Balbo_: one Silver Medal, one “Croce di Guerra.” _Gustavo Fara_, the general well known through all Italy: one Gold Medal, two Silver Medals, special promotions for war services. _Stringa_, Major-General of the regular army: three Silver Medals, one Bronze Medal, disabled in the war. _Ozol Clemente_, Major-General in the regular army: two Silver Medals, “Croce di Guerra.” _Ceccherini_, Major-General in the regular army: three Silver Medals, two Bronze Medals. _Zambon_, Major-General of the regular army: Silver Medal and Bronze Medal. _Guglielmotti_, Major-General of the regular army: two Silver Medals. After these follow: _Giuriati_, with two Silver Medals; _Acerbo_, with three Silver Medals (voices: “Bravo!”); _Caradonna_, with three Silver Medals; _Finzi_, with a Silver Medal and two “Croci di Guerra.” Not to embarrass the modesty of my friends, I shall not continue to read the list of these officers of the National Militia,—(Laughter.)—but this is enough to prove to you that this is a serious institution. And I add that every day it becomes more so, because I mean that it shall be so, because all its chiefs mean it.