MUSSOLINI’S CALL TO ARMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19945, 1 November 1934, Page 9

MUSSOLINI’S CALL TO ARMS

RECRUITING ITALIAN YOUTH

SWEEPING NATIONAL

CAMPAIGN

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 31. 8.45 p.m.)

ROME, October 31

Extending his call to arms, in response, it is reported, to the wishes of parents, Signor Mussolini has decreed the enrolment of all boys between the ages of six and eight as Balilla Del La Lupa, or Wolf Children. They will wear Black Shirts, wolf badges, greygreen knickerbockers, and a black fez, and will be equipped with gas masks. They will engage in gymnastics, route marches, learn to shoot, and will enter camp. Then they will enter the ordinary Balilla Corps at the age of eight.

It was announced on September 18 that the Italian Cabinet, under the presidency of Signor Mussolini, had approved of a scheme whereby the whole nation will undergo military training and military instruction, becoming an integral part of education, starting as soon as the child is able to understand, and continuing when boys are aged 8 to 14, as members of the Balilla or Scouts, by contact with the armed forces, informing them of the glorious traditions of war, then as the Avangardisti they will be prepared “spiritually, physically and militarily,” enabling them, when they enter the army at ages of 20-21 to "dedicate themselves exclusively to warlike instruction and the profession of arms.” Military culture is being introduced into all the Government secondary schools. “The qualifications of the citizen are those of the soldier in the Fascist State,” is the first article of the regulations which remain operative after military service until the age of 55. University students are not allowed to take diplomas, degrees or advance to the higher classes unless militarily efficient.