PEACE NOW RE-ESTABLISHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 7

PEACE NOW RE-ESTABLISHED.

"ETHIOPIA IS FOR EVER ITALIAN." FLAMBOYANT SPEECH BY IL DUCE. ECSTATIC ENTHUSIASM IN ROME. United Press Association.—Copyright.—Eec. 12.30 p.m. ROME, May 5. Whistles and sirens screamed the signal for general mobilisition throughout Italy at 5.45 p.m. Although the news was not announced, everyone realised that Addis Ababa had been occupied A crowd rushed into the streets; shopkeepers put up their shutters, while church bells pealed and drums beat incessantly, the people cheering wildly and singing old wartime songs. Strong guards were placed at the British Embassy and other points where excitement might be troublesome. Rome has seldom witnessed such excitement as when, at 7.45 p.m., Signor Mussolini appeared at the window of the Palazzo di Venezia in the glare of powerful floodlights and triumphantly declared that the war was finished. He said:— "Men and women of Italy, friends of Italy across the mountains and the seas, harken. Marshal Badoglio telegraphs to-day that he has entered Addis Ababa at the head of his victorious troops. During 30 centuries of history Italy has lived many memorable hours, but this is certainly one of the most solemn. "I announce to the people of Italy and to the world that the war is finished and peace re-established. I pronounce these words with emotion and pride, after seven months of harsh hostilities. It is absolutely necessary to add that this is our peace —a Roman peace. "I express this simple, Irrevocable, final proposition— Ethiopia is for ever Italian. It is Italian in fact because it was occupied by our victorious troops, and Italian by right because it was occupied by the sword, by Rome and by a civilisation which triumphed over barbarism. Justice triumphed over a cruel, arbitrary rule. The redemption of the miserable triumphed over an age-old slavery. "Many races in the former Abyssinian Empire have clearly shown their wish to live and work quietly under the Italian tricolour. The defeated chiefs no longer count. No force in the world can make them count. Ready to Defend Victory. "I solemnly promised on October 2 to do my utmost to prevent the African conflict spreading to Europe, as a European war would mean the fall of civilisation, but I must add that we are ready to defend our smashing victories with the same intrepid determination as that with which we won them." Signor Mussolini paid tribute to the fallen and to all others participating in the campaign. He added: "Italy has not bent before the League of Nations and will continue to march in peace towards the tasks facing her with courage and faith."

The cheering was so stupendous that II Duce was obliged to appear again and again on the balcony. He looked flushed with delight and triumph. He was dressed simply in the uniform of a corporal in the Fascist Militia.

Fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the speech, Fascist officials announced that mass mobilisation was over. Sirens shrieked and church bells pealed with the single exception of the Great Bell of St. Peter's.

The Pope did not listen to the speech, but was informed of the substance of it. Members of the Papal household and State offered prayer and thanks in the private chapel that the war was over.