DUCE DECLARES THAT THE WAR IS FINISHED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 121, 6 May 1936, Page 7

DUCE DECLARES THAT THE WAR IS FINISHED

ETHIOPIA WILL BE FOREVER ITALIAN We Are Ready to Defend Our Smashing Victories CIVILISATION AND THE SWORD OF ROME [By Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright] Received 6, 12.15 p.m. ROME, May 5. It wai officially announced late this afternoon that Marshal Badoglio’s troops had entered Addis Ababa. The entry was made by a large force of troops and lorries. Whistles and sirens screamed a signal fot a general mobilisation throughout Italy at 5.45 p.m. Although the news was not announced, everyone realised that Addis Ababa had occu occupied. Crowds rushed into the streets and shopkeepers put up their shutters, the people cheering wildly and singing old war-time songs. Strong guards were placed at the British Embassy and other points where the excitement might be troublesome. Rome has seldom witnessed such excite ment as when at 7.4'“’ Signor Mussolini appeared at the window of the Palazzo Venezia, in the glare of powerful floodlights, and triumphanty declared that the was was finished. Signor Mussolini declared: “Men and women of Italy, friends of Italy across the mountains and seas, hearkan. Marshal Badoglio telegraphs that to-day he has entered Addis Ababa at the head of his victorious troops. During thirty centures of history Italy has lived many memorable hours but this certainly is one of the most solemn. “I announce to the people of Italy and the world that the war is finished and peace is re-established. I pronounce these words with emotion and pride after seven months of harsh hostilities, but it is absolutely necessary to add that this is our peace, a Roman peace, expressed in this simple, irre vocable and final proposition. Ethiopia is forever Italian. It is Italian in fact because it is occupied by our victorious troops. It is Italian by right because it is occupied by the sword of Rome and civilisation, which has triumphed over barbarism. “JusU'e has triumphed over cruel arbibtrary rule. The redemption of the miserable has triumphed over age-old slavery. Many races of the former Abyssinian empire have clearly shown that they 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. “I solemnly promised on October 2 that I would do my utmost to prevent the African conflict from 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 determinaton as we have won them.” Signor Mussolini paid a 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 de light and triumph. He was dressed simply in the uniform of the Fascist Militia. Fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the speech Fascist officials announced that the mass mobilisation was over. Sirens shrieked and the church bells healed, with the single exception of the great bell of St. Pet er’s. The Pope did not listen to the speech, but was informed of the substance of it. Members of the Papal Household state that he offered a prayer of thanks in his private chapel that the war was over. It is understood that Italy has assured foreign Governments that the lives and property of foreigners at Addis Ababa will be protected according to the laws of war.