Fascists! Italians!
The time for determined battle has come! Four years ago the National Army at this season launched the final offensive, which brought it to Victory. Today the army of the Black Shirts takes again possession of that Victory, which has been mutilated, and going directly to Rome brings Victory again to the glory of that Capital. From now on principi and triari are mobilized. The martial law of Fascism now becomes a fact. By order of the Duce all the military, political and administrative functions of the party management are taken over by a secret Quadrumvirate of Action with dictatorial powers.
The army, the reserve and safeguard of the Nation, must not take part in this struggle. Fascism renews its highest homage given to the Army of Vittorio Veneto. Fascism, furthermore, does not march against the police, but against a political class both cowardly and imbecile, which in four long years has not been able to give a Government to the Nation. Those who form the productive class must know that Fascism wants to impose nothing more than order and discipline upon the Nation and to help to raise the strength which will renew progress and prosperity. The people who work in the fields and in the factories, those who work in the railroads or in offices, have nothing to fear from the Fascist Government. Their just rights will be protected. We will even be generous with unarmed adversaries.
Fascism draws its sword to cut the multiple Gordian knots which tie and burden Italian life. We call God and the spirit of our five hundred thousand dead to witness that only one impulse sends us on, that only one passion burns within us—the impulse and the passion to contribute to the safety and greatness of the Fatherland.
Fascists of all Italy!
Stretch forth like Romans your spirits and your fibres! We must win. We will win.
Long Live Italy! Love live Fascism!
THE QUADRUMVIRATE.
