Last Saturday Signor Mussolini made his valedictory speech at the
final session of the present Italian Parlia- ment. The enthusiasm had an American prodigality, and one of the demonstrations lasted for several-minutes. Signor Mussolini thanked the deputies for having done their duty to the Revolution, and in particular he called upon the thirty-five deputies- who had been with him when he made his great revolutionary speech in Novem- ber, 1922, to stand up and receive the cheers of their colleagues. The forthcoming elections, he said, would be different from the elections in any other country— which they certainly will. There would be a complete . absence of the old Parliamentary manoeuvres. Out of 1,000 candidates only. 400 would be elected and babblers, rumour-mongers and profiteers—we quote from the Times—would fail to find seats. The present Chamber was 85 per cent. Fascist, but the new Chamber would be 100 per cent. Fascist. " It will be free to criticize but not, of course, to overthrow the Government." This statement was received with what it is perhaps fair to call contented. laughter. As for foreign. policy, -Signor Mussolini said he desired peace, but :— " We read every day of the launching of submarines, cruisers and other pacific instruments . . . We must be ready . . . I demand from the nation another effort to put our land, sea and air forces on a proper footing . . . I offer a prayer to the Omnipotent. that He may be pleased not to bring my days to an end before I see the new and more glorious Fascist Italy on land and sea."
• * *
Previous page
