Speech in Padua, September 24, 1938

By Benito Mussolini

Comrades!

In Gorizia I stated that even if the horizon was brighter any optimism regarding the European situation must be regarded ns premature.

In Treviso I announced that the British Prime Minister was piloting the ship of peace towards the port, but I did not say that it had arrived.

Today I add that the position resembles the weather today; this morning the sky was grey, but there are signs that the sun will soon break through.

It seemed as if with Prague's acceptance of the Franco-British plan the situation could be considered as drawing to a close.

But, as often happens in so-called democratic States, the Government which had accepted the plan and had the moral responsibility for putting it into effect has resigned. It has been replaced by a General whom all declare to be too friendly with Moscow.

The first act of the new Government was to proclaim general mobilisation. (The crowd shouts: "Me ne frego!"). In the face of this fact, which is added to the regime of terror established by the Czechs in the Sudeten regions, Germany has given a supreme proof of moderation (the crowd shouts: "Hitler! Hitler!"). She has sent her demands to Prague and given a time limit until October 1st for a reply.

The Prague Government has therefore exactly six days time (the crowd shouts: "Too long!") to find the path of reason. Because it would be truly absurd and even criminal if millions of Europeans were to hurl themselves at one another simply to maintain the overlordship of Mr. Benes over eight different races.

But it would be a very grave mistake to give a false interpretation of this patient attitude of Germany. In the democratic countries irresponsibility holds sway, for everyone tries to shift the responsibility on to the opposition party or on to his neighbour.

In the so-called totalitarian States such shifting of responsibility is impossible.

The problem with which the conscience of the peoples is now faced must be solved in a complete and definite manner. There is still time for such a solution, and if a conflict should nevertheless break out, there is a possibility of localising it.

But in the last few days certain more or less influential parties and tendencies in the Western countries seem to have thought that the time has come to settle accounts with the totalitarian States. In this case these parties and tendencies will not find themselves faced by two separate countries, but by two countries which will form a single bloc.

If in Italy there were aliquots of those who I call men who are perpetually behind the shutter, the ones that I call morally bourgeois, I declare that they will be immediately put out of commission.

[...]

...I do not feel the need to mortify the Italian people by recommending that they maintain for the next few days the imperturbable calm which they have shown up to this point: I know that every one of you, all of you, are prepared to face any event. ("Yes, immediately!", and the crowd breaks out into a very loud prolonged ovation).

This response of yours, this oceanic cry of yours, has been heard by the world in this moment. And with you the whole Italian people have given their answer.