FASCISTS FERVOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 9

FASCISTS FERVOUR

ADDRESS BY IL DUCE

"WE SHALL GO AHEAD" STATEMENT ACCLAIMED By Telegraph—Pre&s Association—Copyright ROME. Sept. 8 "We shall go ahead," shouted Signor Mussolini, in addressing a jubilant crowd of 70,000 people gathered outside the Piazza Venezia, his official residence. II Duce had returned from a review of 30,000 Avanguardisti—youths from 14 to 18 years, specially selected from all parts of Italy to demonstrate physical and military fitness. Practically all have been in Fascist organisations since the age of six.

Armed with rifles and marching 10 abreast beneath many banners and singing Fascist songs, they had presented a soldierly bearing. Sea scouts carried out an exercise demonstrating the landing and posting of machine-guns. Many had presented petitions asking for permission to volunteer for hast Africa.

Signor Mussolini, on his way home, walked smilingly through the cheering throng. In response to acclamations II Duco, on reaching the palaCe, appeared on the balcony. Then, amid a hush, he thundered: "Comrades, here are the words you are awaiting—we shall go ahead." The crowd replied in unison: "To whom shall Abyssinia go—to us? " The multitude continued the demonstration until Signor Mussolini reappeared on the balcony saying: " Is that what you want? " The assembly shouted: " Yes, yes." In a speech to Roman Catholic exservicemen Signor Mussolini asserted that Italy desires peace, on condition that it is accompanied by justice. NEW COMMITTEE SCEPTICISM IN GENEVA ITALY'S UNALTERED POLICY British WiTeless RUGBY, Sept. 8 The Rome correspondent of _ the Tiroes says "liberty of action" remains Italy's watchword, according to official quarters. In the meanwhile the new conciliation committee's work is being watched with sceptical indifference. It is firmly believed that it will be fruitless, as whatever' the committee proposes it will be unacceptable if it interferes with Italian freedom. The session of the League Council was continued at Geneva yesterday morning for the despatch of the heavy agenda of routine business. The places of France, Britain, Poland and Turkey were occupied by substitute delegates^ M. Laval, Mr. Eden, Colonel Beck and Tewfik Anis were attending, with Senor de Madariaga (Spain), a meeting of the new special committee appointed by the Council to inquire into all the aspects of the relations between Italy and Ethiopia with a view to finding a peaceful settlement. At the second meeting of the committee yesterday it is presumed that M. Laval and Mr. Eden placed before their colleagues all documents and reports relating to the Three-Power Conference in Paris in August. Before adjourning until Monday afternoon the committee is understood to have followed many League precedents bv authorising the drafting of a letter to be sent to the Governments of Ethiopia arid Italy urging them carefully to avoid any now incident which could render the. situation more difficult or complicate the committee s task. M. Laval is reported to have returned to Paris until Monday, and Mr. Eden will spend a quiet week-end in the country near Geneva.

financial strain INDICATIONS IN ITALY THE BANK RATE RAISED {Received September 9. 9.45 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 9 A message from Rome states that the Italian bank rate has been raised to 5 per cent. The News Chronicle's Rome correspondent says ith« raising of the rate is a further measure whereby Signor Mussolini hopes to attract capital and encourage investment in State bonds The interest rato on advances also ha* been raised to 5 per cent, presumably to check speculation. Both steps are indications of the financial strain of Italy's war preparations. A notable fall occurred on the Stock Exchange at the week-end.