FASCISTS AND LEADER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 11

FASCISTS AND LEADER.

COMAm OF MLTTLC MUSSOLINI TAKES IT OVER* IMPORT OF THE GESTURE. '- ! A CHARACTERISTIC ADDRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 11.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. ROME. Oct. 9. Tho Primo Minister, of Italy, Signor Mussolini, in an address to Fascists, explained why ho had assumed tho command of tho Black Shirts. Ho said:— " I am assuming tho direct command oC tho militia. You will assuredly rmderstand the import of this gesture. Our watchword must bo obedience, absolute devotion and readiness to defend tho regime. " Raiso your flags and rifles and cry: 'Viva Fascismo.' " On the occasion of his taking over th& command of tho militia Signor Mussolini sent a message to tho King assuring him of tho loyalty of the Fascists, and saying they were as truo as steel and had rededicated themselves to his service. EYES ON ANATOLIA. ADALIAN COAST AREA. LONDON' PAPER'S COMMENTA. and N.Z, LONDON. Oct. 8. " Is Italy preparing for war?" asks the Daily Express. Tho papfifc proceeds: " The attempts of the Prime [Minister, Signor Mussolini, to revive a warlike spirit among the people has 1 occasioned comment. It is believed his plans are aimed at Turkey, the objective being to secure a sphere of influence on the Adalian coast, Anatolia, which was promised to Italy in 1915 by tho secret Treaty of London, but which Italy failed to obtain when M. Venizelos (Greece) rose to ascendancy at Versailles and Signor Orlando (Italy) withdrew at the critical moment. "The Turks maintain four army corps in the threatened area in Greece and are committed to active co-operation. " It is understood that Rumania and Yugoslavia have promised to remain neutral. Details of the secret treaty were revealed by Bolsheviks after the revolution of 1917. The signatories were Russia, France, Britain and Italy."