Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-24
MUSSO[|N| AGAIN
RATTLES SAbER
Nov Ready for Any Trial, "
He Tells Thousands at
Flag Ceremony.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, May 24-Premier Benito
Mussolini told massed thousands Of
soldiers and civilians today:
Italy now is ready for any trial"
His declarat ton came In the course
Of observance Of the twentieth ami
versary Of Italy's entrance into the
World War. a ceremony which in
cluded the presenting Of battle flags
to regiments which replaced units as
signed to East Africa.
His listeners packed Venezia Square
in front of his Office. They heard
him say:
THE words Of an unknown Italian
soldier scrawled on the wall of a house
demolished by a shell, 1T is better to
live one day as lion than 100 days
as lamb are not merely an order
they are gospel for us.
I'VE swear to respect this sacred
injunction everywhere and in spite
of any one"
Pledges Firm Policy.
He added:
Let no one in Italy or abroad
delude themselves. Italy will consider
carefully before arriving at a deci-
sion. but when the decision is reached,
then she will go forward without any
turning back 80
1T is necessary, once We have
started. to burn our ships and guide
ourselves along the road of destiny
with q firm hand"
King Victor Emmanuel and Premier
Mussolini stood before the tomb of
the unknown soldier, in the shadow
Of II Duce's Office building, and pre-
sented battle flags to Is regiments
The ceremony was attended by 10000
soldiers and blackshirted Fascists.
The divisions ordered to East Africa
are the Gavinana, Peloritana, Sabuda
the only one thus far mentioned in
official communiques-and the Gran
Sasso. Sila and Caprera.
Despite the lack Of an official state
ment. all Italian newspapers today
stated that these divisions were Dies
tined for East Africa, thus making a
total Of at least 100000 men In the
regular army alone
The colonies of the Is regiments re-
ceived their banners from the hands
Of the King after they had been
blessed at an altar erected before the
tomb.
Previously Mussolini had presided
over Fascist ''leva." the graduation
exercises for Fascist youth from one
organization into another. Half a
million of Italy's youth-boys ana
girls ranging in age from 8 to %
years-stood at attention in hundreds
Of towns and cities throughout the
Nation. taking an oath of fealty to
Il Duce and his dictates.
In Rome more than 10000 Of the
youngsters massed on the Via Del
Impero, where they were reviewed by
II Duce and the Fascist hierarchy.
4,397,28S Youths Enrolled.
The almost 100000 youngsters who
participated in ceremonies through
out the nation today constitute only
a small part of the 4,397.2ss members
of the Opera Nazionale Balilla, or ma
tional youth movement.
Thus 178,789 Balilla who have Just
passed into their fourteenth years ap-
peared for the first time this morning
in the ranks Of Avanguardisti, where
they will stay for four years Of study.
Grill and physical exercise. They re-
ceived real rifles in ceremonies held
in their various encampments after
taking their oaths Many sections of
them were formed with machine gun
companies. others with artillery. naval.
aviation, tank and radio signal units.
Those enrolled in higher classes in
the great Leva today were: Piccole
Italiane (girls between 8 and lD.
111,977; Balilla, 178,7s9; Giovanni
Italiane girls between IA and 49,,
1889; Giovanni Fasciste girls be-
tween 10 and 22), 20.788; Avanguar-
dist, 140,30s; University Fascists and
Young Fascists of Combat, 243, 7l2.
ppITTcu HOPE ron PEACE