MUSSOLINI’S SPEECH

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1936, Page 7

MUSSOLINI’S SPEECH

ABYSSINIA ANNEXED

KING PROCLAIMED EMPEROR

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] ROME, May 10. Signor Mussolini addressed a concourse of four hundred thousand people, assembled before the Palazza Venezia in Rome. Signor Mussolini proclaimed the King of Italy as Emperor of Abyssinia. The Duce announced the declaration with the announcement that Ethiopia will be placed “under the full and entire sovereignty of Italy. There was a roar of cheering resounding to the skies, which drowned the reberberations of the artillery salute of twenty-one guns to the new Emperor and the Italian triumph. The. Duce’s pronouncement had been "preceded with a characteristically brief meeting of the Fascist Grand Council. It began at 10 p.m., and lasted only for ten minutes. Signor Mussolini then summoned the Cabinet, which sat for three minutes to confirm this most, the momentous decision in the history of modern Italy. Signor Mussolini, by 10.30 p.m. appeared on the (famous balcony, from which he has made so many speeches. He received an ovation. All the streets within a radius of half a mile of the balcony were packed with solid masses of people, who were excitedly awaiting the anticipated creation of a new Roman Empire. As night fell, hundreds of electric bulbs illuminated the historic buildings, at every window of which there hung a tricolour. Naval searchlights floodlit banners that were inscribed with patriotic slogans, and also lit the Unknown Warrior’s tomb. Twenty thousand soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, accoutred for the war, with fixed bayonets, but every tenth man holding a torch, lined the steps of the massive Victor Emanuel Monument, the Imperial Way. and the boulevards facing the Capitol. The 20,000 men formed a gigantic guard of honour for II Duce. Twenty regimental bands were massed, they playing the Fascist hymn, “Giovanezza,” which vied with the pealing of the church bells. Meanwhile millions of people throughout the country were demonstrating their joy at the victory, and according to 11 Duce’s instructions. Signor Mussolini was accompanied by the Fascist Grand Council, including Count Marconi. He also was accompanied by the Ambassadors and the Ministers of those nations which had not imposed Sanctions, who were invited to hear the proclamation. As II Duce advanced, the tumultuous cheering, which previously had drowned the voices of the speakers of the Council, came to a crescendo, in the delirious joy of the gathering. Signor Mussolini’s speech was punctuated with incessant applause.

FASCIST EMPIRE. Signor Mussolini said: “Officers, non-commissioned officers and men of all of the armed forces in Africa and Italy! Black Shirts of the Revolution! Italian meh and women at home and throughout the world! Hearken! With the decisions which J the Grand Council have approved, the “ great event is accomplished. Eithiopia’s destiny is sealed to-day, May ninth, in the fourteen year of the Fascist era! All knots have been L . severed by our shining sword. The 1 African victory remains in the history of our country, complete and - pure, like those legionaries \\;ho have 1 fallen had desired it to be. Italy has, 11 at last, her Empire—that Fascist Empire which bears the imperishable signs of truth, power of Ronie’s emblem. It is an Empire of peace, because Italy wants peace, for herself and for all! . 5 “This is the goal to which, for t fourteen years, the eruptive energies t of the young Italian generation have t been disciplined, and to which most i of future generations will be directed, i Italy only goes to war when she abso- < lutely is compelled to do so by the needs of her existence. It is an Em- t pire of civilisation and of humanity * for the Ethiopians, because, in the 1 tradition of Rome, which, aftei conquering, always associated defeated people with her destiny. This is the law which closes one period of our history, and' opens another, one with an immense doorway for all .future ; possibilities. * , ' “Firstly, the territories and the peoples belonging to the Empire of Abyssinia are placed under the full < and entire sovereignty of Italy. Secondly, the King assumes the title of Emperor for himself and for his successors.’’ Signor Mussolini added: “The people of Italy have created their Em- I pire with their blood! They will 1 make it fruitful by their labour, and they will defend it against anyone! In : this - supreme certainty, Legionaries raise your banners, your steel, your hearts, to- the salute. After fourteen centuries, this reappearance of the Empire on the Hills of Rome! Will you be worthy of it?” Thereupon a united shout of si! si! | (yes! yes!) rose from his hearers. Signor Mussolini continued: “This cry resembles a sacred oath, binding you before God and men, foi- life and death.” “Black Shirts and Legionaries, salute your King!” The cheering was renewed as II Duce, saluting, departed. Then the guns began fresh salvoes. The crowds flocked to the Quirinal, thence to demonstrate before the new Emperor. The Gazette publishes a decree, formally proclaiming Italian sovereignty over Abyssinia, and vesting the King with the title of Emperor of Abyssinia, which will be renamed. Marshal Badoglio is the first Viceroy. All these provisions become effective immediately. The Fascist Grand Council passed a resolution expressing the country’s gratitude to [ Il Duce as the founder of the Em-’ P ’Generals Babo and Debono, and I other Fascist veterans, crowded round Signor Mussolini, kissing him as he left the balcony. I 11 Duce, later, appeared nine times in response to repeated acclamations. I The crowds demonstrated far into the: night. ' MONSTER STATUE. LONDON, May 9. The British United Press Rome correspondent says that a foundry has

been working secretly for many months on a colossal statue of Signoi Mussolini. It is one with only a lion's skin covering the torso. The figuie will be 262 feet in height, compared with the 242 feet of the Monument of London. The statue will be erected in the Mussolini Forum. GRAZIANI PROMOTED. ROME, May 9. General Graziani has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. EX-CROWN PRINCE’S MESSAGE. ' ROME, May 9. The ex-Crown Prince of Germany has telegraphed to Signor Mussolini his congratulations on “the victory of Italy in the war, despite all opposition, to the surprise of everyone.” AMBASSADOR TO LONDON. (Recd. May 11, 10.30 a.m.) ROME, May 10. Mussolini, after the speech, received Ambassadors and Ministers of nonSanctionist countries, and had a long conference with Signor Grandi, who later left for London. Newspapers issued special midnight editions, with headlines six inches high.

AT ADDIS ABABA. ITALIANS TAKE CONTROL. LONDON, May 9. “The Times’s’ Rome correspondent says:—The keynote of all of the messages from Addis Ababa is that the town is now rapidly settling down, and is adapting itself to the Italian occupation. Military fatigue parties are gradually removing the debris that was left after the rioting, and are clearing the biirnt-du't areas. The badlv damaged buildings are being demolished. The fugitives are reported to be returning, and in order to reestablish confidence, the Italian command Has ordered the Bank of Abyssinia to re-open. As soon as the news of the Bank re-opening became known, the people are stated to have crowded the bank building in order to exchange their thalers into Italian money, in" which “they have the greatest confidence.” Special officials have been appointed to explain the nature of Italian money to the Abyssinians. The Abyssinian policemen are operating, being directed by Italian officers and Eritrean noncommissioned officers. They are maintaining lorder in the central quarter of the town. No time has apparently been lost in following out the Fascist motto, “Catch Them Young,” and the youngsters of Addis Ababa are stated to be greeting the Italian officers with the Fascist salute. The Italians declare that Emperor Selassie was mostly responsible for the looting in the capital, which followed his flight, as his parting words were: "Open my palace to the people! Leave nothing to the Italians. Sack and burn everything inside and outside of the palace!” A number of Europeans are stated to have overheard him saying this. The fact that such thorough preparations had been made to defend the British Legation is taken to show that the English residents of Addis Ababa “placed no trust in the Abyssinian civilisation, which the British Government, nevertheless, has been defending at Geneva.”

SURRENDER OF ARMS. ADDIS ABABA. May 9. Italian planes are dropping proclamations in Abyssinia, announcing> that Italy rules Ethiopia. These give the warning that the Abyssinians’ firearms must be surrendered by midnight. The proclamations invite the refugees to return to their normal occupations. The Askaris are busy throughout the country suppressing brigandage, and are machine-gunning any pillagers. DIREDAWA OCCUPIED. PARIS, May 9. French troops have been stiffly engaged in routing pillagers of the Diredawa Customs House. ROME, May 9. The Italians have occupied Diredawa. SELASSIE’S HOPES JERUSALEM. May 9. Emperor Selassie visited the Holy Sepulchre. Subsequently he changed his room for one overlooking the roadway. He watches the traffic with field glasses. He told the Press: “I cannot believe that the League will not seek reparation on behalf of a weak nation as against a stronger one condemned as an aggressor.” HUGE FORTUNE SAFE. LONDON, May 9. The “Daily Herald’s” Jerusalem correspondent says: “Thin-faced, worn and greying, the Emperor is resting at the Hotel David. He is guarded by a solitary British sentry. His secretary confirms that the Emperor has deposited between four and five millions sterling in London banks. The Empress has her own fortune. It is divided between banks in Paris, Cairo, and Jerusalem.

The Emperor in addition, has brought one million and a half sterling in gold, he leaving silver in Addis Ababa, for the native soldiers. WHY HE FLED. JERUSALEM, May 10. Selassie, whom the Texas Centenary Exhibition is offering £20,000 for a ! fortnight’s atendance and £30,000 for I a month’s attendance, went to church I with his suite in the morning. He I gave an audience to foreign journal- • ists at afternoon tea. He announced | that he fled’ to save the Abyssinians from extermination by Italian poison gas. “I still believe in the League,” said Selassie, in a special interview, to the “Sunday Chronicle.” “Britain’s support of the League is the last hope

Of the small countries. I will never give up hope as long as I live.” The Italian colony listened to Mussolini’s speech broadcast, at the Consulate, then formed a procession to the Hotel David, and shouted, “Long live Mussolini!”. They cheered the King of Italy, and only dispersed when the lights of Selassie’s rooms were extinguished. AIRMAN ARRESTED VILLA COUBLAY, May 9. Drouillet returned here. When he alighted from the plane, gendarmes approached him with a warrant for his arrest. Drouillet’s friends intervened, resulting in a scuffle, after which Di'ouillet was arrested. Drouillet has been released pending investigation. SANCTIONS CONTINUANCE. THE LEAGUE DEFIED. (Received May 11, H a.m.) ROME, May 10. Mussolini’s speech was absolutely uncompromising.' He proclaimed a situation which is declared here as unalterable, unless Europe was against Italy. The speech contained no reference to foreign nations and their interests.

The Abyssinia proclamation gazette begins: “The territories and peoples, formerly belonging to the Emperor of Abyssinia, are placed under the full and entire sovereignty of the Kingdom of Italy. The title of Emperor of Abyssinia is assumed by the King of Italy for himself and his successors.” Thus a concrete fact confronts the League Council, whose future actions must be decided in the light of Mussolini’s declaration that Italy will defend her conquest with arms. The League may decline to recognise tho annexation, but the opinion is expressed here that she will be powerless to prevent Rally’s exploitation of Abyssinia’s resources. Huge multi-coloured placards, posted throughout Italy, contain the text of Mussolini’s speech, and a large portrait of the Duce. Signor Gayda writes: The new Roman Empire is not imperialist, but one of workers. Italy to-day formally notified the League of the annexation of Abyssinia, delivering copies of the decrees to M. Avenol (Secretary General).

CHALLENGE TO LEAGUE. - I * GENEVA, May 10. : Italy's proclamation of her Empire is here regarded not only as a chai- i lenge to the League, but to the < United States and South American ■ Republics which signed an Argentine Anti-war Pact, leading them into recognise Manchukuo. This is expected to be their attitude towards the Italianised Ethiopia. LEAGUE COUNCIL. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] RUGBY, May 9. The Abyssinian situation will be the principal subject on the agenda for the League Council meeting on Monday at Geneva, over which Mr. Eden will preside. The attitude to be taken by the British delegation at the League meeting has been left in the hands oi the British representatives, but as stated by Mr. Eden, in the Commons debate Oil Wednesday, Britain will play her part in whatever action is decided upon, but it must be collective action. BRITISH-FRANCO LABOUR POLICY. (Received May 11, 10 a.m.) PARIS, May 10. Mr. Attlee, visited M. Blum and congratulated him on his electoral success, and urged intensification of Sanctions in accordance with British Labour’s demand. It is understood that. M. Blum replied he was agreed in principle with Labour’s policy, and expressed the determination to see the League emerge from the tangle, with its prestige as little tarnished as possible. He agreed that French Socialists should keep in constant contact with British Labour. WAITING FOR LEAD. GENEVA, May 10. The Scandinavian and Dutch Foreign Ministers discussed the European situation, including the failure of Sanctions, Germany’s violation of Versailles, and the reform of tire League. It was agreed to await the Franco-British lead. There is a general impression that an uncomfortable job must be done in the abandonment of Sanctions, which everyone would prefer to pass on to somebody else. Immediate action is unlikely. DANISH BROADCAST. (Recd. May 11, 10.30 a.m.) > COPENHAGEN, May 10. The Danish Foreign Minister, broadcasting from Geneva, declared that the smaller States strongly favoured the continuance of the Sanctions. Abandonment could only be on the initiative of Powers which had suggested them. It was clear that the League at present was not strong enough to protect weaker States against the great military Powers. FRENCH ATTITUDE. PARIS, May 10. It is officially announced that the Government informed Italy she reserved her attitude on the annexation, and will maintain the status of the French Minister at Addis Ababa, as accredited to t,he Court of Abyssinia, and also the status of Walde Marium (Ambassador). HARDENING TENDENCY.

(Received May 11, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. “The Times’s” Geneva correspondent says: The Little and Balkan Ententes, the French and the Danube Powers, are all very perturbed regarding Italy’s future intentions both in Abyssinia and Europe. The annexation has had greater repercussions than the Italian leaders expected. France is especially disturbed regarding the possible effects on French colonies. It is understood that France has protested to Rome. Meanwhile, the outcome of the per l turbations is a hardening of opinion in [ favour of maintaining the Sanctions, and non-acceptance of the fait accompli. Moreover, the military success of the aggressor must not be used to condone aggression, if the League is to survive. An extraordinary- session of the Council is provisionally fixed for June 15, to which the decisions regarding Abyssinia’s status, also the Rhineland and Dardanelles will be referred. It is expected that the new French Go-

vernment will then be functioning, and will produce a change regarding Sanctions, enabling a strong policy. OVERSEAS CONSULTED. LONDON, May 9. The Foreign Minister (Mr. R. A. Eden) discussed Sanctions with the Dominion High Commissioner for New Zealand (Sir James Parr) and the High Commissioner for Australia (Mr. S. M. Bruce). ALBERT HALL PROTEST. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY. May 9. At a meeting at Albert Hall, at which 10,000 people attended, a resolution calling for the maintenance of Sanctions, until Italy is ready to accept League terms was carried. The speakers included representatives of all political parties, and among them leaders of the Labour and Liberal wings of the Opposition. Viscount Cecil, in a speech, said that Abyssinia was still a member of the League, and entitled to the joint protection she was promised. He heard with impatience that, the duty of the League towards Abyssinia was finished. The League had suffered a reverse, but was very far from being destroyed.

WINSTON CHURCHILL'S VIEW.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY. May 9.

Mr Winston Churchill, in a speech last night, said he regarded the triumph of Mussolini over the most ancient State in the World, and also over the world’s most modern institution, the League of Nations, as a lamentable event. Speaking as a private Member of Parliament, without knowledge of the course the Government would follow at Geneva, he said he was not prepared to support Sanctions against Italy, merely for the purpose of weakening the Italian people unless they were convinced that what they did would be of real practical help to tribesmen in Abyssinia. They had no right to go further along that path. With regard to the League of Nations, many voices were raised for breaking it up and casting it aside. That was a reckless short-sighted view. Although the League had failed to prevent aggression war and conquest in Abyssinia, it was stronger and more alive to-day that it was a year ago. The task before them was not to abandon or abolish the League, but to strengthen it for the new graver trials which might lie before it in future.