Speech in Cuneo, May 20, 1939

By Benito Mussolini

For the second time I have the honour to be with you, the proudest people of the great province. My journey through Piedmont is concluded here.

From royal Turin—always regal and solemn in its anticipatory urban geometry—to the other provincial capitals and smaller towns of the province, to the villages and the most remote farmsteads in the countryside, I have received the clearest impressions about which I will speak not only to you but to all Italians.

Piedmont is strong in its century-old glorious military tradition, strong in the civic discipline which it has never relaxed, strong in its temperament and character and, above all, in the consciousness that it was the architect of the unity and independence of the Fatherland.

Piedmont is one hundred percent Fascist. (The people respond with a single cry: "Yes! Yes!"). Let this be said once for all, to dispel any ridiculous illusions to the contrary.

Piedmont has only one love: Italy. Piedmont works. I have seen it at work during these days, in the fields where agriculture is to a great extent mechanised, in the industrial establishment, in the mines, from which Cogne, which I visited this morning, supplies 1000 tons of excellent mineral per day. Piedmont works with determination, with an exact rhythm and under the inspiration of the requirements of autarky.

In all its industries—from paper mills to textiles, to mechanics and steel—Piedmont has reached almost complete autarky, and in this respect is an example for the whole of Italy. Here people have faith in autarky as a prerequisite for our independence, just as one hundred years ago they believed in the independence and unity of the Nation.

Piedmont is in line with the policy of the Axis. No town can testify to this more than Cuneo, which has resisted so many sieges. (The crowd cries: "We will pass! We will pass! We will pass!").

On Sunday I announced in Turin that a Pact of Alliance had been concluded between Italy and Germany. This Pact will be signed next Monday. Thus a block of 150 million men will be formed, against whom nothing can be done. This block, which is formidable in arms and men, desires peace; but it is prepared to impose it (the whole people cry: "Yes! Yes!") if the big conservative and reactionary democracies wish to stop our irresistible march. (The crowd cries: "We will pass! We will pass! We will pass!").

I spoke clearly in Turin. What I said here at Cuneo may be considered a concluding statement. I will now be silent. In case of necessity, the people will speak.

This morning, on the walls of a mine in Cogne, I found this inscription: "45 million Italians, 10 million soldiers and one single will". (The people shout with one voice: "Yes! Yes! It's true!").

Your shouts tell me that this is a fact.