Speech in Milan, September 13, 1919

By Benito Mussolini

This evening we began a series of demonstrations that must prove to the whole world that the people of Milan today are the same as they were in the glorious days of 1915, when the unforgettable leader Filippo Corridoni defended the war of liberation against the cowards and weaklings.

Gabriele D'Annunzio, who is not only a great poet but a great soldier, the first soldier of Italy, has dared to perform an act that scared our cowardly government.

We salute the Hero and we promise you that we will obey his every nod.

The most Italian city of Fiume, finally given back to the Fatherland, will be defended—with faith and heroic will—against all dangers and against the unworthy government...

People of Milan, stand guard!

Every offense against Gabriele D'Annunzio, each act made against him, constitutes an attack on all the great deeds he has done; it is an attack on Italy itself. Long live D'Annunzio! Long live Italy! Long live Fiume! (Great cheers and salutes by the crowd).