FASCIST ANNIVERSARY

Evening Star, Issue 20318, 29 October 1929, Page 9

FASCIST ANNIVERSARY

DICTATOR ADDRESSES POPULACE WARNING TO MISCHIEF MAKERS Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 27. The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that the seventh anniversary of Signor Mussolini s Black Shirts’ march on Rome was celebrated to-day, beginning with the Duce’s review of the Roman garrison and the local militia, which afterwards marched on the Piazza Venezia. Here were already gathered thousands of Black Shirts, holding up gay banners. Around them were thousands of the general public, who acclaimed the Duce when he appeared 1 on the balcony. Signor Mussolini began by warning mischief makers that they were playing a dangerous game. “Let them not attempt to disturb the harmony between the King, the Crown Prince” (loud cheering) “and the humblest villager. While this harmony persists, what avails this vile perfidious vociferation of a few people whom we should have put up against the wall in 1922 and shot? ”

The crowd shouted “ Death to the political exiles.”

The Duce then continued, saying that whereas, after seven years of existence, other revolutions had shown signs of uncertainty and decrepitude, “we are still courageous enough to put the bullet into the traitors’ backs.” Italy was to-day exactly as he wanted it—an army of citizens prepared for the tasks of ponce, hardworking, silent, and disciplined. “But,” he continued, “if anybody tries to disturb our harmony ” (the remainder of the sentence was drowned by cheering voices). Signor Mussolini later inaugurated a number of improvements in the city, including the removal of buildings which are disfiguring the capital. The Governor of Romo further announced his decision to remove from the centre of the city n:liat the Duce once called “ that stupid contamination ” namely, the trams. Sixteen miles of track will be torn up and replaced by omnibuses, thus removing an eyesore that is spoiling some of the city’s most famous monuments.