The crisis which had been imminent in Italy ever since
Fascismo came into existence arrived on Thursday, October 26th, when all the Ministers placed their resig- nations in the hands of the Prime Minister. The King, who was in the country, at once started for Rome, where he arrived the next night. On his arrival he accepted the resignation of the whole Government. It was everywhere assumed that some of the Fascisti would have to be included in the new Government, but the Fascisti themselves aimed at much more than that. Their plans for a revolution had been well and secretly laid. Everywhere throughout the country they deposed prefects and other officials and a large Black Shirt army advanced upon Rome. Communication by telegraph and telephone was cut off. There were not many con- flicts and the revolution was carried through almost without bloodshed. 7 1 3°
Previous page
