Benito Speaks Again

If the number of times he is quoted by the press has any significance, Benito is the greatest orator in Europe.

Last week, Benito gave the Romans a treat. He spoke to 50,000 of them from the balcony of the Palazzo Chigi, Italian Foreign Office in Rome. The speech was of special importance, intrinsically, because it was the first Benito had pronounced since the cloud of the Matteotti murder tarnished his shining armor (TIME, June 23) ; extrinsically, because it was to sound the tone of the vox populi.

The speech was forced upon the Italian Dictator by an impromptu parade of War veterans who, followed by a dense crowd of swarthy Italians, had come to swear undying fealty to Benito. With strong, rasping voices, the people called for him to appear. Tardy in obeying the wishes of the plebs, "caro Benit" drove the assembled populace into a frenzy. Drawing themselves up to their full height, the units of the crowds made a noise that would have shamed the efforts of a herd of wounded bulls. Benito, unable to resist, dashed onto the balcony. Hats were thrown into the air, 50,000 gullets vibrated with applauding shouts, 100,000 hands gesticulated rapturous admiration, enthusiasm and loyalty. Said Benito:

"Thank you for your demonstration of sympathy, which I value the more for its being entirely unsolicited. Only two months ago, in this very place, I said: 'Let all parties, including ours, perish, provided Italy becomes strong and great.' We can say with clear consciences that we have sincerely striven with all our strength to live up to this ideal. But can the Opposition say the same?"

"No-o-o-o-o-o-o!" boomed the crowd

"The Opposition is daily guilty of moral violence against Fascism by painting it as something which it absolutely is not. Fascism has given wonderful proofs of discipline in the face of overt provocations and will continue to remain disciplined. But I ask you, who were my companions in the War, in the trenches, on the Carso, where we suffered and bled and fought and won together : 'Can we turn back' ?"

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" quick-fired the plebs.

"I will remain at my post, to which I am bound not by caprice or by desire for power, but by a religious sense of duty. I will continue to do my duty, and I am certain that I can count on you to answer my call if at any time I shall need the people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for their country."

Benito then quickly withdrew. The crowd remained for half an hour to give renewed vent to their vociferous appreciation of Benito and all that appertains to him.