Evening star., 1939-03-27
Text of MussoIiniIs Address
Colonial Demands Reosserted, Duce Asks
Italy to Arm, Even at Cost of Civil Life

at Cost Of Civil Life
Hesitation of the celebrations of the
first 20 years of Fascism, takes place
In a serious moment in the life of
Europe.
We are not carried away and we
will not be carried away by that
which now is known as the war
psychosis, mixture of hysteria and
fear.
Our course of navigation is def
mite and our principles are clear.
Listen with necessary attention
and discretion:
First, as regards the professional
pacif1sts, they are particularly de-
testable individuals. And as regards
the word peace. it is by now vir-
tually worn out from much use and
rings falsely like counterfeit money.
However we'll it may be known
that we consider perpetual peace
as a catastrophe for human civil
lzation, We also consider a long
period of peace necessary to safe
guard Europe and the development
OF European civilization.
Further, as regards recent solicita-
tions, we shall take no initiative
whatsoever until our sacred rights
are recognized
Period Of "Waltzing" Closed.
Second. the period of waltzing,
If it ever existed, is definitely closed.
The memory of it is offensive to
us and to all Italians.
The attempts to crack and break
the Rome-Berlin axis are childish.
The axis is not only a relationship
between two states. It is meeting
between two revolutions which have
shown themselves as opposed to all
other conceptions of contemporary
civilization. Here is the strength
OF the axis. And here are the con-
ditions of its duration.
But since in every action there is
always share of superficial mo-
tives which sometimes replace rea-
son. I am here to tell you in the
most explicit manner that what
happened in Central Europe was
fated to happen.
I declare that if the great de-
mocracies weep bitterly over the
premature and somewhat dishonor-
able end of what was their dearest
creature. this is a perfect reason for
us not to associate ourselves with
their more or less decent tears.
odd fhof if TIM l.o
placed on the level of morals, no.
body-I say nobody-has the right
to throw the first stone as the an
cient and modern history of Eu-
rope abundantly demonstrates. I
say that when people which had
very many men and immense ar
senals is not capable of a gesture,
this demonstrates that it is over
ripe for its new fate.
Would Resist Coalition.
And I say that if the longed-for
constitution of coalition against
the authoritarian regimes should
come about, these regimes would
take up the challenge and would
pass from defense to counter-attack
at all points.
In my Genoa speech I spoke of
a barricade which separated Italy
from France. This barricade may
be considered sufficiently demol-
ished and within a few days, per-
haps a few hours, the magnificent
infantry of nationalist Spain will
deliver the last blow and that
Madrid where the leftist expected
the tomb of Fascism will be, in
stead, the tomb of Bolshevism.
Thirdly, we do not ask the worlds
judgment, but we desire the world
to be informed. Well, then, in the
Italian note of December II, 1888,
the Italian problems with France
were clearly set forth, problems of
colonial character. These prob
lens have name. They are called
Tunisia, Djibouti and the Suez
Canal.
The French government is per-
fectly free to refuse us even the
simplest discussion of these problems
90 ~ AIdo NOAlC up w 1lOW ClllOukll 1CS
too-often-repeated and too cate
gorical "jamais" (never).
But it cannot complain later If
the ditch which now separates the
two countries becomes so deep that
filling it becomes hard work, if not
impossible.
No matter how things 60 we wish
to hear no more about brotherhood,
sisterhood, cousins and such other
bastard relationships because rela-
tionships between states are relations
of force and these relations of force
are the determining elements of their
policy.
Mediterranean Vital to Italy.
Fourthly, geographically, histori-
cally, politically and militarily, the
Mediterranean is a vital spot for
italy. When we say the Mediter-
ranean We naturally include the gulf
which is called the Adriatic and in
which Italy's interests are pre-
eminent but not exclusive as regards
the Slavs. It Is for that reason that
peace has reigned there for two
years.
Filthy, last but fundamental and
damaging. Wa uarst arm Thu